Photo Credit: Jason Grohoske, Wikimedia Commons
Chicago Sky Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon has reportedly been fired, and one of the team’s biggest stars isn’t happy about it.
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Sky have indeed fired Weatherspoon and a formal announcement is coming Friday.
Rookie phenom Angel Reese took to social media in defense of her coach.
“I’m heartbroken,” Reese wrote on X. “I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life.”
“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’m heartbroken. I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. 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…
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 27, 2024
The Chicago Sky announced today that Teresa Weatherspoon will not retain the role of Head Coach for the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/A9Sc3dL9vF
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 27, 2024
Weatherspoon led the team to a 13-27 record in her lone season, but the franchise missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Sun-Times report indicated that multiple players, in exit interviews, criticized the team’s play style and Weatherspoon’s experience.
While the Sky were still in playoff contention until the year’s final game, injuries ultimately derailed their season. They played their final game without Reese, fellow highly-touted rookie Kamilla Cardoso and leading scorer Chennedy Carter. Reese suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Cardoso had a shoulder injury at the start of the season and hurt the same shoulder toward the end of the season. Carter dealt with a foot injury toward the end of the season.
The Sky only played two games with a fully healthy roster this season.