The Chicago Sky front office and Angel Reese have both made clear they are ready to run it back. The strengthened backcourt, frontcourt bigs, veteran presence, and exciting draft picks– the talent pool has playoff predictions in the books. But while that’s all good and hopeful, what about team chemistry that could make the team good or great? Well, recent revelations say the Windy City needn’t worry about that! The team’s ticking off boxes, and for the old band, Reese and Hailey Van Lith, there might have just been a déjà vu moment. Yes, we are talking the good kind.

When HVL made it to LSU 2 years ago, it was all new and lonely, and the first person to read that anxiousness? Angel Reese. The Chi-Town Barbie was among the first to walk up to the new transfer to help her settle in with ease. “I wanted her to feel as comfortable as she could,” Reese would say. Years have passed since, teams have been changed, and stardom risen to new heights, but the sentiment, it remains the same.

During an interview with WGN News, the TCU star opened up about teaming up with Angel once again. As the case has been for the last two and a half weeks, she was all praise for the 23-year-old. “She has great energy. I think one thing about Angel that a lot of people don’t give her credit for is that she really does have a selfless leader mindset,” Hailey started. We have heard enough tales of that role when Reese was applauded for leading early, taking accountability, and acting on the ask at LSU. Just ask Seimone Augustus. But for the heartwarming part, it was the Sky big once again ensuring HVL was settling in comfortably in the new setting.

“She has went out of her way to make sure my mindset is right, that my energy is right, I am feeling comfortable. So it was great to get out with Angel again,” the No.11 pick added.

It did not even take Van Lith to step into Chicago to feel welcomed by the Chi-Town Barbie. “We ain’t do it right the first time. Let’s run it backkkk,” Reese had written. But that was just the beginning. The Chi-Town Barbie has known what it is like to be new to the league and have no one to guide you closely. She has known the weight of carrying expectations. And now she knows that the TCU star finds herself in a similar situation. But Reese isn’t letting her continue that way.

“Me and Hailey have a great relationship. I love her, and just being able to be here for her in this moment, because last year was tough for me… So just being that ‘big sister’… to her this year is super important for her,” she added.

But, as we promised, the chemistry building isn’t just happening between the former LSU teammates. The whole of Sky is enjoying the moment.

It’s less than a week to the preseason games, and the teams are grinding at the training camp. But the first order of business in Chicago? Get that bond going. After speaking of reuniting with Reese, Van Lith also opened up about the light hearted atmosphere in the locker room. ” We had a team dinner last night and we were cracking jokes all dinner,” she admitted.

After a second straight season with a losing record, the new head coach, Tyler Marsh, is determined to kick off his tenure with a playoff spot. And now, players are right on track. Not just off the court, but on it too.

Marsh admits things got off to a good start with Angel Reese and Co.

Mere days remain before the Chicago Sky takes the court for a preseason against the Brazilian national team at Angel Reese’s old stomping grounds. But first, Tyler Marsh has got a final roster to decide and players to get in shape after the long offseason. And well, the Sky supposedly seem to be in the right direction as the head coach reveals.

“I thought [practice] embodied everything that we hoped it would from a competitive standpoint,” Marsh said. “It’s kind of knocking the rust off [and] getting everybody together. Everyone seemed energetic and together. I thought it was a great first day.” 

The Sky currently have 18 players on the training camp roster with the way almost clear for the two draftess– Hailey van Lith and Maddy Westbeld after Ajša Sivka’s reported uncertainty for the season. But there are 6 on the training camp contracts and Marsh has got a task to round it all up at 12 for the season. What sells for him? “Commit and compete.” Those are the two words the coach admits his players are going to hear a lot. Tick the box and you are in.