Angel Reese and Caleb Williams Determined to Bring 'Winning Culture' Back to Chicago

Madison Williams | May 9, 2024

Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Angel Reese poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she was drafted by the Chicago Sky. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

There's a few big-name rookies joining Chicago-based teams this year, including the Sky's Angel Reese and Caleb Williams, the Bears' new franchise quarterback.

Both Reese and Williams are from the Maryland area and have known each other since they were growing up, Reese told NBC Sports Chicago. Now, they are ready to take on the Chicago sports world and work to bring a championship to the city for the first time since the Sky won the WNBA title in 2021.

“I know Caleb from back home, and having those kind of conversations talking about how we can turn the city up and do so many great things while we’re here,” Reese said. “It’s just great being able to bring that winning culture back to Chicago in all sports, not just football and baseball as well, but everybody, so just being able to have a city that’s winning and everybody loves you from all different kinds of sides. Being able to come together for the community for the right thing is something I’ve always emphasized.”

Reese will play alongside another Sky rookie, former South Carolina standout Kamilla Cardoso, this season. The WNBA season tips off on Wednesday, May 15 in Dallas for the Sky.

Williams, who was the No. 1 overall pick in last month's NFL draft, won't begin his season until the fall, but he has a lot of weight on his shoulders in terms of bringing the Bears more success than they've seen in the last few years. The Bears last made the playoffs during the 2020 season, losing in the wild-card round.