New details surrounding ex- Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon’s firing have provided new meaning to Angel Reese 's heartfelt sendoff.
Last month, Weatherspoon was shown the door after commanding Chicago to a meager 13-27 record in her first season at the helm. The Sky subsequently missed the WNBA playoffs, marking the first time since 2018 that they hadn’t made the postseason.
Two weeks after Weatherspoon was fired, Chicago Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile has provided more insight into the reasoning behind her exit. Per the report, the 58-year-old struggled to keep the Sky “schematically prepared” and failed to utilize rookie Kamilla Cardoso effectively on offense.
Though Weatherspoon’s most glaring offense was her alleged favoritism of certain players. According to league sources, the former WNBA player “had lost the locker room because of a culture that catered to the needs of a few players.”
Weatherspoon’s ousting was a tough pill to swallow for several of her players, perhaps no more than Reese . Taking to social media, the 22-year-old penned a touching tribute - with some speculating that the message might suggest she received preferential treatment from her ex-coach.
"I’m heartbroken," she wrote. "I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life.
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"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 woman 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."
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In a subsequent interview with the Sun-Times, Reese conceded that she couldn’t fathom a future in Chicago without Weatherspoon by her side, stating: “I can’t imagine playing for the Sky without [Spoon]. She’s the one reason I wanted to come here.”
On the heels of Reese’s bold declaration, Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca asserted that tensions have cooled down, and the LSU product is happy to be in Chicago. “The franchise’s relationship with Angel is in a good spot,” he said.
“Emotions were high for a couple days and we can respect that. We can appreciate it. We understand that there’s bonds that are built with coaches and players, especially the young ones.
“So, we’re in a good place right now. We’re back in discussions. Everything has calmed down quite a bit, but I understand it. Emotions are a real part of this thing when you have a real friendship.”
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