If you thought Angel Reese wasn’t already making waves in her rookie season, think again. The No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft has not only been stealing the spotlight on the court but also fueling some spicy trade gossip off it. And guess what? She’s handling it the best way she knows how—with sass, sarcasm, and a little twerking encouragement.
The “Angel Reese Exit Conspiracy”
It all started with whispers (read: social media rabbit holes) that Marina Mabrey’s abrupt departure from the Chicago Sky might have something to do with Reese’s arrival. Reese decided to tackle the rumors head-on during a recent Unrivaled scrimmage, and in true Reese fashion, she turned it into a comedy show.
“Money Mabrey, we have a conspiracy,” Reese said, her signature wit shining through. “People wanna know… Marina, did you leave Chicago because of me?”
Cue Marina Mabrey’s heartfelt—and slightly theatrical—response: “No. I love Angel.” She even sealed it with a hand heart gesture, proving that rumors are as baseless as a jump shot without follow-through.
But Reese wasn’t done. Determined to up the entertainment factor, she attempted to form a collaborative heart gesture with Mabrey. It hilariously flopped, leading Reese to blurt out, “Twerk!” Because when hand hearts fail, dance moves prevail, right?
Mabrey’s Real Reason for Leaving
While Reese’s humor stole the show, Mabrey later revealed the actual reason for her exit in a candid interview. It wasn’t about locker room drama or rookie invasions—it was about loyalty. Mabrey had joined the Sky to play for James Wade, a coach she admired. When Wade unexpectedly left and was replaced by Teresa Weatherspoon, Mabrey felt like a fish out of water.
“I came to play for James Wade,” she explained. “When he left, I thought, ‘OK, let’s see what happens.’”
Spoiler alert: what happened was a one-way ticket to the Connecticut Sun, where Mabrey got a shot at the 2024 WNBA Finals—only to have her dreams crushed by the Minnesota Lynx. Meanwhile, the Sky’s playoff hopes fizzled faster than soda left out in the sun, thanks in part to Reese’s wrist injury in September.
Chicago Sky’s Rebuild: Angel in the Center
With the offseason in full swing, the Sky is gearing up for what looks like a massive overhaul. Reports suggest that four players, including Diamond DeShields and Isabelle Harrison, are packing their bags. Chennedy Carter, a restricted free agent, isn’t expected to get an extension either.
Translation: Chicago is rolling out the red carpet for a full-on Angel Reese-centric rebuild. Can Reese handle the pressure of being the centerpiece of this revamped roster? If her knack for turning trade rumors into stand-up comedy is any indication, she’ll be just fine.
Final Thoughts
Despite the swirling drama, one thing is clear: Angel Reese and Marina Mabrey are on good terms, laughing in the face of rumors and conspiracy theories. And if Reese keeps handling controversy with her signature mix of charm, humor, and twerking demands, she might just become the WNBA’s unofficial queen of clapbacks.
So, while the Chicago Sky braces for a transformative offseason, one thing remains constant: Angel Reese knows how to keep things entertaining—on and off the court.