{"id":174754,"date":"2025-09-22T21:05:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T21:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/174754\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T21:05:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T21:05:08","slug":"skys-angel-reese-courtney-vandersloot-and-ariel-atkins-will-not-conduct-exit-interviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/174754\/","title":{"rendered":"Sky’s Angel Reese, Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins will not conduct exit interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three of the Sky\u2019s<\/a> biggest names \u2014 Angel Reese, Courtney Vandersloot, and Ariel Atkins \u2014 will not be conducting voluntary exit interviews, the Sky announced on Monday. <\/p>\n

The rest of the team completed theirs a little over a week ago.<\/p>\n

Though we learned some key information from those interviews \u2014 such as that Vandersloot is returning to the team next season<\/a> \u2014 we\u2019re left with a few big questions.<\/p>\n

Heading into the offseason, here are the biggest elephants in the room.<\/p>\n

What is the level of trust between Reese and the Sky? <\/p>\n

Since Reese\u2019s half-game suspension on Sept. 8, this has been a bit of black box.<\/p>\n

General manager Jeff Pagliocca said in his exit interview that the organization has \u201cmoved on\u201d from Reese\u2019s suspension and expects her to return next season. Head coach Tyler Marsh, too, said he had \u201cno reason to believe\u201d<\/a> her commitment to the team had changed.<\/p>\n

She is technically under contract for two more seasons.<\/p>\n

Reese, however, has not spoken about her relationship with the Sky since being suspended for publicly questioning the roster.<\/a> When asked about it in Las Vegas, she declined to answer.<\/a><\/p>\n

By that time she had apologized to the team<\/a> publicly and privately, but dynamics on the bench had clearly changed.<\/p>\n

Since the Sky\u2019s 10-34 season ended, Reese has been busy with public appearances, vacation, and the launch of her signature shoe, the Angel Reese Ones.<\/p>\n

But how is she feeling about the Sky?<\/p>\n

We may have to wait until Season 2 of Reese\u2018s podcast, Unapologetically Angel, to find out.<\/p>\n

How interested is Atkins in returning to the Sky?<\/p>\n

Exit interviews rarely confirm whether players are returning, but they do give hints. For example: free agents Elizabeth Williams and Rachel Banham both expressed interest in returning next season<\/a>, while Rebecca Allen and Michaela Onyenwere seemed more inclined to play the field.<\/p>\n

Atkins\u2019 decision matters more because of what the Sky gave up to get her: the draft pick that became the Mystics\u2019 All-Star Sonia Citron, and a pick swap in 2027.<\/p>\n

Pagliocca gave up so much for a player on a one-year deal because he thought her experience on the team might convince her to stay longer.<\/p>\n

He was also sold on her impact on the culture, and the trade had Vandersloot\u2019s full support.<\/p>\n

That Citron outplayed Atkins in her rookie season \u2014 outscoring her and shooting better from deep \u2014 didn\u2019t cause Pagliocca much regret.<\/p>\n

Will his assesment of the deal change if Atkins declines to become a part of the long-term core?<\/p>\n

So far, she hasn\u2019t given any indication one way or the other. Even before Reese\u2019s interview heard \u2018round the world, Atkins told the Sun-Times she didn\u2019t yet know if she wanted to return.<\/a><\/p>\n

Are Vandersloot and Reese on the same page?<\/p>\n

After tearing her anterior cruciate ligament early in the season, the Sky are bullish on Vandersloot\u2019s return to the team next year. Marsh acknowledged that the team was \u201cSloot dependent\u201d and is eager to see what the vision looks like with her healthy.<\/p>\n

However, Vandersloot was reportedly not pleased<\/a> about Reese\u2019s declaration that they \u201cneed somebody younger\u201d at the point guard position. She said in a local television interview that age was \u201cnot a factor\u201d in her return.<\/p>\n

Where do Reese and Vandersloot stand now? Have they buried the hatchet? Found common ground? Started a Snapchat streak? It\u2019s only the future of the team hanging in the balance.<\/p>\n

For this rebuild to get off the ground, the Sky\u2019s longtime face of the franchise (Vandersloot) will have to gel with the face of its future (Reese).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"New<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Preseason expectations had this year\u2019s team outperforming the 2024 squad. So why did the Sky\u2019s record get worse?<\/p>\n

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\"IMG_1507.jpg\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Work on the exterior is almost done, and management still expects the facility to be ready by the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

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\"New<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Exit interviews revealed offseason plans and whether key free agents want to return.<\/p>\n

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