Story by
Angel Reese’s World Cup reunion with Dream teammate draws perfect WNBA reaction
- Story by
- Angel Reese’s World Cup reunion with Dream teammate draws perfect WNBA reaction
Angel Reese's World Cup reunion with Dream teammate draws perfect WNBA reaction originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Angel Reese and Sika Koné traveled to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup as international opponents, but their connection to the Atlanta Dream produced one of the tournament's most memorable off-court moments. Reese is representing Team USA in Berlin, while Koné suited up for Mali. The Dream teammates found time to meet during the tournament, and the WNBA shared their reunion on social media.
Advertisement
"All roads lead back to Atlanta," the league wrote.
The moment provided a reminder that international tournaments create unusual circumstances for WNBA teammates. Players who spend the summer chasing the same goals suddenly find themselves wearing different uniforms and representing different countries. Reese and Koné may have taken separate paths to Berlin, but both made their presence felt.
Sika Koné delivered a strong World Cup performance for Mali
Koné averaged 16 points and 10.3 rebounds during Mali's three group-stage games, according to FIBA's official tournament statistics. She finished as Mali's second-leading scorer and leading rebounder while recording a double-double average. Mali went 1-2 and did not advance, but Koné emerged as one of the most productive interior players in the tournament.
Advertisement
Reese helped Team USA finish group play with a 3-0 record. She averaged 8.7 points and six rebounds in only 17.2 minutes per game while giving the Americans another disruptive defender and elite rebounder. Her best group-stage performance came in a 105-64 win over Czechia. Reese recorded 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in 19 minutes.
The production from both players should be encouraging for Atlanta.
MORE: Lexie Hull's three-word Kelsey Mitchell message captures Fever star's historic season
Reese entered the World Cup averaging 16.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals for the Dream. Koné has provided Atlanta with valuable depth in the frontcourt while continuing to develop her game.
Advertisement
Their reunion in Berlin was brief, but it connected two very different World Cup experiences. Reese remains part of a United States team pursuing a fifth consecutive gold medal. Koné's tournament ended earlier than she wanted, though her individual performance ensured she did not leave unnoticed.
Soon, both players will trade their national-team uniforms for Dream colors again. For one moment in Germany, however, Atlanta basketball managed to bring two countries together.
