Angel Reese trained harder than ever to prove she’s still got it, but her coach dropped a brutal truth bomb in front of reporters

After a week of grueling practices, late-night shooting sessions, and a renewed commitment to silence her critics, Angel Reese looked ready to reclaim her spotlight with the Chicago Sky. Determined to prove that she was still the rising star everyone once anointed her to be, Reese arrived early, stayed late, and pushed herself beyond her physical limits. Teammates and trainers noted the shift in energy. “She’s locked in,” one staff member said. “She wants it bad.”

But just when it seemed like the narrative was turning in her favor, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon delivered a jarring dose of reality — and she did it in front of a room full of reporters.

The message? Talent and hard work aren’t always enough.

A Determined Comeback

The context for this story goes back a few games. Reese had been benched during a critical fourth-quarter stretch in favor of fellow rookie Amaya Jordan, a moment that sparked speculation about Reese’s place in the Sky rotation. Since then, the former LSU star had taken it upon herself to double down on her training.

“She’s the first one in the gym now,” said a Sky assistant coach. “You can tell she’s trying to shake off the noise and get back to being the force she was in college.”

Reese worked on her footwork, free throws, post moves, and — notably — her mid-range jumper, which has been a point of emphasis for her transition into the WNBA. Her intensity even drew praise from veteran teammates, who privately applauded her work ethic and resilience.

All signs pointed to a potential bounce-back.

The Press Conference Heard Around the League

After a spirited practice session that saw Reese out-rebound nearly every teammate in scrimmage, reporters gathered for the team’s weekly media availability. Questions swirled around Reese’s development, her chemistry with teammates, and the team’s overall trajectory.

When asked about Angel’s improved effort and what that meant for her role moving forward, Coach Weatherspoon didn’t sugarcoat her response.

“She’s working her butt off — and that’s what she should be doing,” Weatherspoon began. “But effort doesn’t equal impact. In this league, it’s not just about how hard you train. It’s about how smart you play, how you elevate others, and whether or not you fit what we’re building. Right now, she’s not there yet.”

The room went quiet. One reporter’s eyebrows shot up. Another whispered, “Wow.”

Weatherspoon continued, unfazed by the silence.

“Angel’s got all the tools, but this is the WNBA. You don’t get minutes for hustle alone. You get minutes for making the right reads, defending without fouling, boxing out every time, and understanding team schemes. That’s where she’s falling short.”

A Brutal Dose of Honesty

While the remarks weren’t malicious, they were undeniably blunt — and public. For a rookie already under a microscope, hearing her coach call out specific deficiencies in front of the media hit hard.

“This isn’t college anymore,” said former WNBA player and analyst Rebecca Lobo. “You can’t just out-talent people. Coaches are looking for who understands the details. And what Coach T said — it wasn’t disrespect. It was reality.”

That brutal truth bomb wasn’t just for Reese — it was a signal to the entire team that effort alone doesn’t guarantee playing time. Execution and understanding matter just as much, if not more.

Reese’s Response: No Excuses

To her credit, Angel Reese didn’t deflect or lash out. In fact, when reporters asked her directly about Weatherspoon’s comments, her response was mature and measured.

“She’s right,” Reese admitted. “I’m working hard, but I’m not there yet. I’ve got to slow the game down, see it better, and stop thinking I can win on pure energy. I’m learning that now.”

She added, “I appreciate Coach T being honest. She wants the best for me — even if it stings a little.”

That level of self-awareness was met with widespread praise, with even some of Reese’s toughest critics admitting that her attitude shows signs of growth.

“Accountability is step one,” said WNBA commentator Holly Rowe. “Angel just took it. Now the question is, what’s step two?”

Fan Reaction: Mixed but Passionate

As expected, social media erupted with takes — some applauding Coach Weatherspoon for setting a high standard, others defending Reese and questioning whether she’s being treated too harshly.

One fan tweeted:
“Reese is grinding and still getting shaded? Let the girl play! She’s got star power!”

Another wrote:
“Weatherspoon is coaching to win, not to protect egos. Angel will be better for this in the long run.”

The divide reflects a broader discussion in sports: should rookies with big personalities and college fame be treated differently, or is tough love the best way to accelerate their development?

A Turning Point, Not an Ending

Despite the tough moment, insiders believe Reese still has a bright future with the Sky — if she embraces the feedback and adapts her game.

“She’s not being written off,” said one assistant coach. “Coach T is challenging her. She believes Angel can be elite, but it’s got to start with fundamentals. Right now, that means learning, not leading.”

And Reese appears to be on board. The day after the press conference, she was back in the gym at 6 a.m., running defensive drills and studying film.

“This is the pivot,” said Sky beat writer Annie Costabile. “This is where we find out what Angel Reese is made of — not as a brand, but as a basketball player.”

Conclusion: The Fire’s Still Burning

Angel Reese may have been humbled, but she hasn’t been broken. The fire that made her a household name in college still burns — but now, it’s being reshaped. Not by social media narratives, but by the quiet, unforgiving grind of professional basketball.

Her coach dropped a brutal truth bomb. But if Reese listens, adjusts, and keeps grinding the way she