As the WNBA season draws nearer, teams are hard at work finalizing their preseason schedules, rosters, and coaching staff. Success doesn’t just come from talent alone — it’s about having a strong coaching staff and a roster that enjoys working together. When players and coaches sync well, that’s when magic happens. And Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky, desperate for this magic, is still searching for that recipe for success. Coach Teresa Weatherspoon was replaced after just one season with Aces’ assistant Tyler Marsh. The new head coach will be getting another assistant to join him and help steady the ship, which boasts the likes of Angel Reese.

Despite missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018 under coach Teresa Weatherspoon, the axe had to fall on her. A big reason for that was over-dependence on star rookie Angel Reese, which exposed the Sky with her season-ending wrist injury. Before the injury, Reese was a strong Rookie of the Year contender. Since then, the Chicago-based team has made several changes, focusing on building a solid support system to help maximize the potential of stars like Reese and Cardoso. And finally, there’s a new entrant on the list.

Now, Nigerian Women’s National Team head coach Rena Wakama will join their coaching staff as an assistant coach. Tyler Marsh was certainly delighted to get the signing over the line. He said, “If you watched how her teams competed at the Olympics & listen to how she inspires her players, you’d know that Rena is a star on the rise. I couldn’t be happier adding such a great coach to our staff & believing in the vision for #Skytown 🩵💛”

The reason? Wakama recently took the Nigerian Women’s National Team to new heights, achieving success at the 2024 Paris Olympics this past summer. Her victories over Australia and Canada had everyone talking as she led Nigeria to the quarterfinals, a feat no African team, male or female, had ever reached before. That’s not all! For her outstanding performances, Wakama was awarded Best Coach by FIBA.

Wakama will undoubtedly be a key addition to the team and provide valuable support to Tyler Marsh. She will join fellow assistant coaches Courtney Paris and Tanisha Wright as the trio works together to help the Sky return to the playoffs. Their goal will be to replicate the success of the 2021 season, where Kahleah Cooper was the centerpiece of their success.

That said, Angel Reese has been enjoying considerable success in the offseason. She could very well use that momentum to fuel her team this season. Let’s take a closer look!

Angel Reese enjoys Unrivaled success

Angel Reese suited up for Rose BC in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled, and that’s the most she could have asked for. Rose BC started the season with a 1-4 record but quickly rallied back to finish the regular season as the second seed. But disaster struck. Reese re-injured her surgically repaired wrist and was ruled out for the playoffs. But the dream didn’t drop.

Reese was sidelined for the semifinal against Laces BC on Sunday. She couldn’t suit up for the title game against Vinyl BC on Monday, either. But that didn’t stop her from making an impact! She was right there on the sidelines, cheering her team on every step of the way. Even without the tournament’s Defensive Player of the Year, Rose BC found a way. They battled, they fought, and in the end, they won it all. “WHAT YALL GON SAY NOW??” posted Reese after their win.

Reese returns from the offseason with a championship and standout performances that earned her a spot on the All-Unrivaled Second Team. Confidence is high, and momentum is on her side! Now, the focus shifts to the WNBA season. She’ll look to carry that same energy and lead her team on a deep playoff run. Can she do it? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates!