Angel Reese said she can’t imagine a future playing for the Sky without Teresa Weatherspoon, who was fired after one season as head coach Thursday.
Chicago finished the 2024 season with 13-27 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
“I can’t imagine playing for the Sky without [Spoon,] I’m hoping for a bright future” Reese told the Sun-Times. “She’s the one reason I wanted to come here.”
Angel Reese handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, 2024, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.NBAE via Getty Images
The Sky selected Reese — who led LSU to its first NCAA championship in 2023 — with the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Reese said she was “heartbroken” over the news in a tribute to Weatherspoon in a post on X.
Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon looks on from the sidelines during the first half of a WNBA game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena on July 13, 2024.Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life,” Reese wrote. “She was the only person that believed in me. The one that trusted me. Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a black women in sports when nobody believes in you.
“You had a tough job. All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year & when your back was against the wall, you always believed. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life. We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever. I’ll never question God why he brings people in my life and takes them away from me in the capacity that I need them but I’ve always believed everyone is in your life for a reason and a season.
“You were the best reason & season. You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough. I love you Tspoon.”
Reese, among other players, had been supportive of Weatherspoon and open about their close relationship throughout the season.
The All-Star forward also reposted a video of her and Weatherspoon during a postgame press conference recently, which showed her telling reporters how special their relationship is.
“She’s meant everything to me,” Reese said before pausing to wipe away tears. “… She understands me off the court, she understands me on the court.”
It became evident there was some disconnect during exit interviews, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, which reported multiple players said brought up how the playing style changed throughout the season — and noted how Weatherspoon faced a learning curve being a first-year head coach.
Angel Reese posted this photo of her and Weatherspoon in her Instagram Stories.@angelreese5/Instagram
Weatherspoon, who had no previous WNBA coaching experience prior to the Sky, faced many challenges in her first season with Chicago.
The former Liberty star spent six seasons at Louisiana Tech from 2009-14 before she became a player development coach for the Pelicans from 2020-23.
The Sky were riddled with injuries, illnesses and inconsistency, which resulted in them playing just two games with a completely healthy roster.
Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, left, and forward Angel Reese embrace after winning a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Las Vegas.AP
Reese suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Chicago’s 92-78 victory over the Sparks on Sept. 6 and underwent surgery.
Guard Marina Mabrey asked to be traded midway through the season, and Chicago sent her to Connecticut Sun, who will face the Lynx in Game 1 of the semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs on Sunday.
The Sky are now searching for their fourth head coach in two years after winning the league title in 2021 with former coach James Wade.
Weatherspoon’s firing came after the Sparks parted ways with their head coach, Curt Miller, after two seasons Tuesday.
The Sparks finished a league-worst 8-32 this season.
