Tyler Marsh Names Player Who Improved Chicago Sky’s Locker Room Dynamics in Angel Reese’s Absence

You can’t put a price on experience. When Angel Reese went down on July 29, the Chicago Sky didn’t just lose their leading rebounder and top scorer; it was as if the heart of the team stopped beating. Reese was averaging nearly a double-double every night, and her absence left a hole that numbers alone can’t describe. But in that moment of crisis, one veteran quietly took control of the wheel. That player was Ariel Atkins.

The WNBA champion and two-time All-Star didn’t take long to establish herself in Chicago after leaving the Washington Mystics. She embraced the city, embraced the jersey, and when the locker room’s morale threatened to crumble, Atkins reminded everyone what true leadership looks like. This leadership quality, both on and off the court, was recently lauded by Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh.

Before the game against the Phoenix Mercury, coach Marsh didn’t mince words about what she brought to the team. “Yeah, she’s really stepped up from a leadership standpoint, whether she’s been active or whether she was injured. I think that she took a lot of the onus on herself to be more of a vocal presence in the locker room and on the floor. And I think that that’s really translated with the team,” Marsh said.

He went on to explain the respect Atkins commands and the intention behind her elevated presence.“There’s a ton of respect there obviously for who she’s been and what she’s done in this league and who she is as a person. I think that part of her coming to the Sky, there are aspects of her game that she wanted to elevate, and I think that vocal presence and that vocal leadership are one of those things. We appreciate that. We’ve certainly benefited from that, and she’s been great in that role,” he said.

Those words aren’t just empty praise. They line up perfectly with Ariel Atkins’ numbers this season. The veteran guard is averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, steadying Chicago’s offense night after night. More importantly, her rebounding and playmaking are both at career-best levels, proof that she’s still finding new gears in year seven. The crescendo of Atkins’ season came during the clash between Chicago and Las Vegas. In a matchup billed as Lil A vs. Big A, it was Atkins who stole the spotlight.

She dropped 30 points, added 7 assists, and hauled in 4 rebounds in a season-defining performance that reminded everyone why she is a WNBA champion. In short: Atkins isn’t just talking the talk, she’s walking it every night. And Atkins will do it again for the younger generation. While on the court, she is leading the Chicago Sky; off the court, she is helping budding talent grow.

Ariel Atkins is leading the next generation in Chicago

After spending seven years with Washington, Ariel Atkins made the switch to Chicago this season. Many questioned her move, but for Atkins, it was never about the noise. It was about growth, both for herself and for those coming up behind her. “You always have people who look out for you. It’s only right to look out for others coming behind you, to make the ladder shorter for them,” she said, making her purpose crystal clear.

That purpose now extends beyond the hardwood. Through the Ariel Atkins Foundation, she mentors young athletes, stressing the importance of building character while strengthening community. Elena Delle Donne guided her in Washington, and that experience drives her commitment to the next generation. “More than anything for me, it was the type of person [Delle Donne] was, the type of leader she was,” Atkins reflected, pointing to Delle Donne’s quiet confidence as a blueprint for her own leadership. Today, Atkins passes that same influence forward, whether it’s encouraging Chicago’s young roster or providing opportunities through her foundation. And her influence is visible on the court.

Already, the foundation has partnered with Microsoft, Lids Foundation, and NBA2K to give youth greater access to resources and learning opportunities. For Atkins, the mission is bigger than basketball. “Obviously, I want to be known as a winner, but it’s so much bigger than basketball. The rings will tarnish. But people will remember how you made them feel.” It’s a mantra that fuels her every step. Atkins and Reese will next appear in Seattle as they take on the Storm on August 30.