NCAA championship- check. WNBA draft- check. Pro-debut- check. What’s next for Angel Reese? Playing in front of the greatest icons in Chicago’s history, Michael Jordan. On Friday, Reese played her first pre-season game in the WNBA after the Chicago Sky selected her 7th overall. Her partnership with Kamilla Cardoso is already receiving hype. However, she has one request from Michael Jordan.

“I want Michael Jordan to come to a game,” Reese shared with WGN News after one of Chicago’s practice sessions. “I’m telling you right now, I want Michael Jordan to come to a game. I’ve never met him. That’s why the first time I want him to come to a game.” 

Jordan started his career in Chicago in 1984, won the franchise’s six championships, and put the Windy City on the map. Despite him attending several NBA games, one thing that he has never done is to attend a WNBA game. Shocking, right? There have been no public sighting of him that shows that he attended a WNBA game. With his presence in other sports like NASCAR and golf, he could surely give the WNBA a push with an appearance, right?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Did you know that MJ’s Jordan brand, back in 2021, made history by signing 11 WNBA athletes? “These amazing athletes are defining a lot of things about Jordan Brand and leading a true conversation that’s impacting culture and our communities across the globe,” he said in a statement. Maya Moore, Asia Durr, Satou Sabally, Aerial Powers, Crystal Dangerfield, Dearica Hamby, and Jordin Canada were some of the players who were signed. They became the largest group of Jumpman endorsees in the WNBA.

But coming back to Reese, the athlete further said that more players like Candace Parker, who won her second of three titles with the Sky too, have come through Chi-Town and she felt privileged to be part of that history. And her goal is to continue the legacy of bringing championships to the city.

However, the Chicago natives were extremely disappointed when Reese and Cardoso’s debut game wasn’t broadcast. Considering the fact that Caitlin Clark’s debut with the Indiana Fever was televised, people were surprised that Reese’s game wasn’t. It turns out that Bally Sports of Minnesota had an MLB game scheduled for the same timeslot that Reese’s game was taking place. The league said that had no control over the game not being available on TV for fans.

Reese brushed it off as her immediate goal was not airtime but leading the Sky to the championship. That’s a goal that would please the team’s owners.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Angel Reese could bring the championship back to Chicago

Dwyane Wade, another Chicago product, bought a 10% stake in Sky in 2023 with aspirations to be a winning team owner. That confidence has been Sky-high (pun intended) since the team added two NCAA champions, Reese and Cardoso, to the roster. He likened the new additions to the “foundation” of the team.

USA Today via Reuters 

In that debut game that didn’t air, the NCAA rivals-turned-Sky’s one-two punch showed jaw-dropping chemistry. Reese effortlessly made a pass to Cardoso in the paint for a smooth layup in the second quarter. However, Cardoso’s debut was cut short when she suffered a fall mid-game and had to make an early exit due to her injured shoulder.