Angel Reese Already Fits Right in at First Atlanta Dream Appearance

ATLANTA - Walking into the Atlanta Dream media room inside the Summit of 8West event space in midtown Atlanta, popular pop music and R&B mashups play through the speakers as groups of people gather around tables near the entrance, conversing and eating hors d'oeuvres while ordering handcrafted drinks.

Media members start filling the room as start time for the team's preseason news conference approaches. It doesn't take long for the empty seats to fill as two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese's mother walks in with a group of women to take their seats near the front of the audience.

Shortly afterward, Dream players file in. It's all smiles and waves as three new draft picks take their seats in the front row, and newly signed free agents are on the opposite side, filing in with the same excited energy, going down the line of supporters, friends and teammates, and hugging each one as if it's a long-awaited reunion. Reese settles in her seat after greeting her new teammates, but soon gets up to take the seat in front of her mother.

"Five years ago, when new membership took over, we had one goal," Dream president and chief operating officer Morgan Shaw Parker says while standing on stage where the team's operations staff is seated at a table. She smiles as she glances proudly at the staff at the table before she continues. "It's to put Atlanta on the map for women's sports."

Parker continues on about the hard work that each of her coworkers has put in to build a championship-caliber team that gives fans something to be excited about.

Managing partner Larry Gottesdiener, general manager Dan Padover, assistant GM Brooklyn Cartwright, and head coach Karl Smesko read prepared opening statements, with a key takeaway being how the franchise brings in players who not only want to win at the highest level but also is developing a place where they feel supported and comfortable.

The one common factor that could not be ignored was Reese's presence in Atlanta.

"Dan's (Padover) good at asking questions," Smesko says. "He comes to me, and he goes, ‘What do you think about Angel?' I go, 'Don't ask unless we can get her."

Reese smiles at this revelation as light laughter is heard from the crowd.

This press conference isn't just an introduction for the team to the fans and media, but it is also a first-time meeting for Reese and Smesko.

"She's just what you expect," Smesko says with a grin when asked later about his first impression of Reese. "She's just a great personality, somebody that's easy to get along with, somebody who's very eager to work. So, I'm excited."

Smesko gives players their flowers individually for what they've brought to the Dream in his first year with the team, and he takes questions and speaks with Reese.

Then the press conference begins amid applause, while questions are cued up and photographers stake out their spots to get the best shot of the six athletes walking up the stage to take their seats.

Three-time All-Star and 2022 Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard takes her seat at far right and adjusts Reese's chair to sit next to her near the end of the stage. Their duo dynamic is already on display on the stage as they look forward to being on the same side of the court. Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, Brionna Jones, and Allisha Gray take their seats next.

Questions shoot out to Reese as soon as everyone has settled at the table, as she explains how it's more than just her competitive edge and growing mindset that she's bringing to the team. She's careful to point out that the Dream went 30-14 last season and brings back its core five of Howard, Gray, Canada, Jones, and Hillman.

"I was able to see what Atlanta was able to do after one year and bring the core back. I didn't know, but I was really sure that they were going to come back, because I felt like they loved each other," Reese says while smiling at her new teammates. "I could feel the sisterhood just on the court, off the court, and looking at them."

"And what about Atlanta in general?" a reporter asks.

"I mean, Atlanta speaks for itself," Reese says.

Verbal agreements echo the room at her statement before erupting in applause. "The culture here, the people, you guys, always make sure that the games were packed, even when I was on the other side, it felt like a home game. … I love just being able to be here and feel loved and feel like the support is endless, and not just for me, but for everybody. … I wanted to come here because the {core five) were here, and I'm just here to add to it."

A few more questions are asked of Reese, and a look of relief comes over her face when someone finally directs the attention to her teammates.

As they all answer questions about Reese's arrival and their operation for this season, the close bond the Dream is famous for displaying on social media is prominent and seems to have immediately transferred to Reese as they share knowing looks and side jokes to playful answers - especially when asked what it was like playing against Reese when she was on the opposing side.

Phrases such as "annoying, great defender, always a challenge getting to the paint" were thrown out, but all of them shared the same feeling about the outcome of what they see today - an appreciation of having Reese on their side to work alongside her.

"People talk the talk but not always walk the walk. … Angel can do both, and now with you playing on this side, I'm excited to back you up," Howard said, sharing smiles with Reese.

Reese became emotional when reflecting on what being a part of the Dream meant to her, as she reminisced about her first two seasons with the Chicago Sky and where she is now.

"I'm really grateful for the people, the environment that I was in, and I'm always going to be grateful for that. … But I wanted more," Reese says, her voice catching as she blinks rapidly to keep her composure. "I love to win, I love to compete, and I wanted to be surrounded by people who can make me better. I'm not satisfied with what I am as a player, and I felt like being around these kinds of players would help me be better, and I could help them in different ways to help them win. That's all I ever wanted. I don't care about anything else that comes with it."

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 6:15 PM.