Second-year rising star Angel Reese enters her second year with the Chicago Sky dealing with a frightening concern that almost ended her career in 2024.
Reese missed the final two games of last season due to a crack in a bone in her left wrist. The national champion at LSU confirmed that he she had a screw placed in her hand, and there was a long term concern that she couldn’t play again if the injury didn’t heal because of blood flow.
Reese missed the Rose BC’s games in the semifinal and championship rounds of the Unrivaled league this spring because she hurt the same left hand that almost ended her career in 2024.
Angel Reese had to have her hand in a brace
Per an update April 8 by Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune on April 8, Reese had a cast on her hand this spring but was able to take it off before a workout at the gym.
“Angel Reese back in the gym and out of that hand brace today,” Poe wrote. “She was ruled out of the final weekend of Unrivaled with a hand injury. Has been wearing a brace in all public appearances for the past three weeks. Good sign for Angel less than three weeks out from training camp.”
Angel Reese back in the gym and out of that hand brace today.
She was ruled out of the final weekend of Unrivaled with a hand injury. Has been wearing a brace in all public appearances for the past three weeks.
Good sign for Angel less than three weeks out from training camp. pic.twitter.com/3k9ewJEzPi
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) April 8, 2025
Still, Reese’s wrist will continue to be a concern before and during the WNBA season. The wrist could be an issue that she has to worry about throughout her career.
With the Sky needing depth for the upcoming season, especially with Reese’s wrist becoming an issue, how Chicago attacked the draft on Monday night was important for the team’s long-term and short-term future.
However, Chicago’s pick at No. 10, power forward Ajsa Sivka, is expected to miss at least the first several weeks of the WNBA season, if not deferring her rookie season to 2026, as she plays for Slovenia in Eurobasket.
Chicago Sky rookie expected to miss season due to ACL
Per Poe, the Sky’s No. 22 pick, guard Aicha Coulibaly, is expected to miss the upcoming season due to an ACL injury she suffered with Texas A&M on Jan. 28.
“Note on Coulibaly — due to the severity of her knee injury (ACL), it does not sound like the Sky expect her to be available this season,” Poe posted on X. “That’s another draft and stash player. Sky liked her athleticism and hope she can be a development piece in the future.”
Note on Coulibaly — due to the severity of her knee injury (ACL), it does not sound like the Sky expect her to be available this season. That’s another draft and stash player.
Sky liked her athleticism and hope she can be a development piece in the future. https://t.co/VOPebAYwIu
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) April 15, 2025
The Sky have to hope their other two draft picks, point guard Hailey Van Lith (No. 11) and power forward Maddy Westbeld (No. 16), are ready to play for Chicago in the upcoming season.
Westbeld does have a helpful skillset for the Sky if Reese has to miss time. Per Charlie Creme of ESPN, the six-foot-three Westbeld excels at defense and rebounding.
“The Sky focused on offense with their first two picks of Sivka and Van Lith. In Westbeld they add a pick-and-pop power forward who can also add the little things,” Creme wrote. “She’s a good screener, solid defensive rebounder and good positional defender. She will give Chicago a different look when she comes off the bench.”
Of course, Chicago would be better off if Reese can keep her wrist healthy.
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‘Defer’: Chicago Sky draft pick considering not playing with Angel Reese this season
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