In a surprising move, the Chicago Sky fired coach Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season, according to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times.
One detractor of the move: Sky star Angel Reese, who posted a lengthy statement on
I am heartbroken. I am literally speechless knowing what this woman meant to me at such a crucial time in my life. She was the only person who believed in me. The one who trusted me. Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a black woman in sports when no one believes in…
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 27, 2024
Weatherspoon, a Hall of Fame player, was hired less than a year ago on Oct. 10, 2023. She joined the Sky after a stint as an assistant coach with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.
According to the Sun-Times, Sky players openly supported Weatherspoon during the season, but a disconnect became evident during their exit interviews. Several players reportedly noted the team’s changing playing style throughout the year and cited the learning curve for a first-year head coach.
The Sky adopted a rebuild last offseason
The Sky just finished the regular season with a 13-27 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and posting their worst winning percentage since their inaugural season in 2006. Not many expected them to do much better, however, as the team was going through a year of rebuilding.
After a first-round exit and the firing of head coach James Wade last season, Sky hoped Weatherspoon could lead a squad led by franchise star Kahleah Copper back to the WNBA Finals, which the team won in 2021. Copper, however, requested a trade after the team failed to sign its top free agent targets, which included Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike, according to the Sun-Times.
The Sky opted to trade Copper for the Phoenix Mercury and undertake a complete rebuild. Former All-Star Courtney Williams was allowed to walk in free agency and Marina Mabrey was later traded during the season.
Without those veterans, the Sky focused on young talent, particularly Reese and No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso, as well as bounce-back project Chennedy Carter. The team didn’t win enough to make the eight-team playoffs in a 12-team league, but Reese established herself as one of the faces of the league, setting a WNBA record with 13.1 rebounds per game.
It apparently wasn’t enough for the Sky, who are now looking for their fourth head coach in three seasons.
