BATON ROUGE, La. — Angel Reese strutted into the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on May 2, 2025, like she never left. The former LSU star, now a second-year forward for the Chicago Sky, led her team to a thumping 89-62 exhibition win over the Brazilian national team in a homecoming that had the Tiger faithful roaring. Reese, all smiles, dropped 15 points and snagged 10 rebounds, proving she’s still got the magic that made her a college legend.
The game marked the debut of new Sky coach Tyler Marsh, who rolled out a revamped starting lineup. Veteran free agents Kia Nurse and Courtney Vandersloot, alongside trade pickup Ariel Atkins, joined Reese and center Kamilla Cardoso. Vandersloot, a four-time WNBA All-League guard, ran the show with a veteran’s poise, slicing through Brazil’s defense to set up a fluid offense that never let up. Reese, feeding off the crowd’s energy, dominated the paint and mid-range, her double-double a reminder of the rebounding record she set as a WNBA rookie last season.
Reese’s return to Baton Rouge was more than a game—it was a love letter to LSU. She’d transferred from Maryland, earned All-America honors twice, and led the Tigers to a national championship in 2023. Walking into the arena, she soaked in the cheers, grinning at familiar faces, from fans in the stands to the security guards she still knows by name. The crowd erupted when she took the court, a sea of purple and gold waving signs for their “Bayou Barbie.”
Brazil, prepping for international play, couldn’t match the Sky’s pace. The exhibition, part of the WNBA’s preseason slate, was streamed free on the league’s app, giving fans a glimpse of Chicago’s new-look roster. The Sky’s defense smothered Brazil, holding them to 62 points while Reese and company ran the score up with crisp passing and relentless hustle.
The game capped a whirlwind for Reese, who’s been navigating her rising star status since her LSU days. She spoke after the game about the program that shaped her, crediting the fans and staff who poured their hearts into it. For one night, she wasn’t just a pro—she was LSU’s daughter, back home, lighting up the court where her story began.
Chicago’s regular season tips off later in May. Reese, coming off All-Rookie honors, is expected to anchor the Sky’s frontcourt alongside Cardoso. Brazil, meanwhile, heads back to prep for global competitions, licking their wounds from a lopsided loss.