Angel Reese on how Dream coach Karl Smesko is helping her shot
In her first week of training camp with her new Atlanta team, Angel Reese shares how head coach Karl Smesko is already making her better.
Sports Seriously
On Saturday, Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese begins the 2026 WNBA season in a new uniform.
After two seasons with the Chicago Sky, Reese was traded to the Dream during the offseason. The move starts a new journey for the two-time All-Star who has set her sights on helping Atlanta do something it’s never done: win a championship.
“There’s no ceiling. I watched them from afar last year and then being able to see the success, that’s the reason why I wanted to be able to come here, because I thought I can help them in ways and they can help me in ways,” Reese said. “Being able to go 30-14 under Coach Karl (Smesko) for one year is incredible and just being able to see what they were able to do. I think there’s just so much more that we can do. They weren’t satisfied.”
Smesko admitted during the Dream’s training camp that the expectations for the team are “sky high,” and naturally, that puts a lot of expectations on Reese, as well. However, the Dream coach expressed that as much as he respects Reese’s drive and how she wants to get better, patience is needed as she settles in and continues to grow as a player.
“From defense to rebounding to handling the ball ― just being able to drive by people ― she just can do so many things. It’s just being able to utilize her to what she does best and then just keep expanding her game where she feels more comfortable shooting it, catching it, shot-faking and taking it to the rim. Things of that nature.” Smesko said. “It’ll be a process. … I do think that you’ll see a lot of growth over the season just by her attitude and willingness to work to get better.”
“She has been exceptional in practice. She’s really been eager to learn and get better. She’s just been super motivated and really super enjoyable to coach,” Smesko said of Reese pregame.
