DEERFIELD, Ill. — A lot feels different about the Chicago Sky in 2025.

The team began preseason training camp Sunday afternoon at Sachs Recreation Center, its longtime practice facility. And while the location might be a constant for the organization, first-year coach Tyler Marsh is making a lot of changes on the inside this season.

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One is bringing a lot of veteran experience into camp — something star forward Angel Reese voiced her appreciation for when she addressed the media.

“It’s just a breath of fresh air for somebody to have your back,” Reese said. “That’s the most important thing — being around a great group.”

While Reese takes advice from veteran additions such as Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse and Ariel Atkins, she’s also passing it down to the rookies — including Hailey Van Lith, her former LSU teammate and the Sky’s No. 11 overall draft pick.

“I know there’s a lot of pressure on her from the outside,” Reese said of Van Lith. “I love her, and I love being able to be here for her in this moment. Last year was tough for me because I didn’t have a lot of that, so I’m just being a big sister to her.”

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Reese finished the 2024 season on the WNBA All-Rookie team while averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. She said winning and consistency topped her list of goals for her second pro campaign.

“I had a great first year, but there are things I want to continue to work on,” Reese said. “Coach Tyler has done a great job putting that confidence in me.”

Marsh joined the Sky in the offseason after winning two WNBA championships as a Las Vegas Aces assistant coach. Reese said she and Marsh began building their relationship early in the hiring process.

“He wants to win, and he wants to bring that culture to Chicago,” Reese said.

It’s very early days for Marsh, but he must cut the Sky’s roster from 18 to 11 players by the time the season begins May 17. He said the assembled talent will make that decision difficult, but he’s not worried.

“I think those are good problems to have,” Marsh said. “When you have a roster full of players who are capable of making that final team, that’s ultimately what you want. That’s the kind of culture and environment that you want to create each day, because it helps push both the young ones and the vets.”

Since rookies must adjust to the WNBA so much quicker than other leagues, Marsh said the Sky’s veteran presence is there to make that less daunting.

“I think that we sometimes do a disservice to those young players in expecting them to be a finished product right off the bat,” he said. “The reality is, there’s a learning curve that it takes, no matter what your college career was.”

The players are just starting to build relationships to foster the culture that Marsh wants, but Reese emphasized they’re already on the same page.

“We’re super competitive,” Reese said. “I think everybody in here wants to win. Everybody wants their spot.”