ANGEL REESE HEADS SOUTH

And just like that, Angel Reese’s time in Chicago is over.

The sports world was in shock when Taylor Rooks broke the news that Reese had been traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream. We later found out that Reese was traded in exchange for Atlanta’s first round picks in 2027 and 2028.

It’s the beginning of a new era for the Dream, and following their franchise record 30 wins last season, they are looking to take the next step. And for Reese, this trade

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,” Reese said in a statement. “I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I've got to the Dream.”

Reese joins an Atlanta club that features All-WNBA First Team member Allisha Gray, three time All-Star Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, etc. Under first year head coach Karl Smesko, the Dream were a much more proficient team from three point range in terms of attempts and percentage. They were also the best rebounding team in the WNBA last season.

Reese is one of the game’s greatest rebounders and a player that has worked to become more versatile on the offensive end as a point forward. This trade gives her a chance to take everything she’s been working on and take her game to a new level. With the dramatic increase in talent around her, Reese should be in line for a huge 2026.

For the Sky, this move represents another frustrating departure for a franchise level star. Dating back to the days of Sylvia Fowles and Elena Delle Donne, star players have sought to make their way out of Chicago and on to new teams and better working conditions. It’s another staggering indictment of this ownership group, and when you compare them to their peers in the WNBA, their efforts become even more frustrating to watch.

“While teams like the Aces and Liberty and Fever have become revenue juggernauts,” Nancy Armour wrote in USA Today, “more than getting a return on their investments into facilities, staff and support services, (Michael) Alter still operates the Sky as if it’s a charity project. And gets a comparable return.

The Sky will supposedly have their own dedicated practice facility soon, but it had to be built for them, which reduces potential revenue streams. In the meantime, they’re still practicing at a suburban rec center, with players sharing a locker room with grandmas who just finished water aerobics.”

The Sky continue to make unforced errors. They don’t hold on to talent. They don’t provide support necessary to compete. And they’ve managed to alienate the hometown fans. The Reese trade should be cause a moment of reflection, but they’re too stuck in their ways to change.

Here’s what you need to know today:

🏀 UCLA finishes the story
The Bruins make history in resounding fashion.

📝 A late night shocker!
Satou Sabally is reportedly set to leave the Phoenix Mercury.

📝 Money moves
With a new WNBA CBA, a controversial program in Las Vegas has ended.

📰 What we’re reading
Some of our favorite writing that’s come across our desks.

A BRUIN DELUGE IN PHOENIX

After 48 years, UCLA is finally back on top of the mountain.

Following a gritty win over Texas in the Final Four, Cori Close’s UCLA Bruins had one more road to cross. Standing across from them were the mighty South Carolina Gamecocks. Dawn Staley’s club won an emotional, intense matchup against Connecticut that was overshadowed by the controversy involving the two head coaches at the end of the game. With a chance at their third championship this decade, could UCLA finish the story and finally capture their first NCAA title?

What we thought would be a main event match turned into a squash match.

UCLA led from wire to wire as they outplayed and outworked the Gamecocks on both sides of the ball. The Bruins won the rebounding battle by 14, held Ta’Niya Latson to only four points, made Joyce Edwards into a non-factor, and forced the Gamecocks to rely on jump shooting from their centers to provide offense. It was a dominant performance that cemented UCLA’s place in history and closed the chapter on the 2025-2026 season.

Our very own Erica L. Ayala was on site at the Final Four and broke down UCLA’s dominance on We Need to Talk.

On the latest edition of Gotta Get Up, Erica and I broke down UCLA’s excellence among many other topics

This UCLA victory is a testament to perseverance. They grew together over the years and stayed together despite heartbreaking losses. Their dominance this season was historic and as their players move on to new adventures, they leave a lasting legacy in college basketball.

THERE’S A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW

In a late night stunner, the world learned that Satou Sabally will apparently be leaving the Phoenix Mercury.

Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported that Sabally is not expected to re-sign with the Mercury.

Where will she land next? Time can only tell, but we might have more news to share in the next edition of the Women’s Basketball Roundup. Stay tuned!

Here are some other headlines making waves across women’s basketball:

The news will be coming in fast and furious, and we’ll have everything you need here at Black Rosie Media!

CLOSING A TAB

The Las Vegas Aces will finally get a chance to avoid trouble with the WNBA league office.

Over the past two years, Aces players have received sponsorships from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). These sponsorships, worth $100k per player, is designed to have them promote the city of Las Vegas, attend major events that are in town, and get the players some well deserved money. The WNBA has been investigating this relationship since 2024 due to concerns it is a way to circumvent the salary cap, but there have been no updates on the status of the investigation.

As it turns out, 2025 was the last year of the program. Calling the program a “bridge” before the new CBA was agreed to, the LVCVA announced that the program will not return in 2026.

“Where we got the big bang of value was at the announcement,” LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill told the Las Vegas Review-Journal." “The players did great, certainly followed through on that commitment to put a spotlight on Las Vegas. But a lot of what we do in marketing, where we get the biggest impact is when it’s new and exciting and different. Repeating that year after year just doesn’t provide that.”

The LVCVA program accomplished its goal. With WNBA players being underpaid, it put money in their pockets while boosting their profiles. With the new CBA, players will earn more money and have more financial security while maintaining their star power. Good job all around.

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

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