Angel Reese is heartbroken beyond measure. Here’s the reason why. The Chicago Sky had a difficult season, experiencing highs and lows as they battled to maintain their WNBA competitiveness. The squad was forced to fight through difficult times after the Olympics, including crucial injuries and a difficult post-Olympic period. Leading the Sky through the storm was head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. However, that chapter ended abruptly on Thursday night.
The Chicago Sky had cut ties with Weatherspoon after just one season, as first reported by ESPN. Less than a year after the team signed her, they made the decision in an attempt to assemble a more formidable and competitive team.
When Weatherspoon was hired on October 12 of last year, it was seen to be a risky decision that would start a new chapter in the franchise’s history. Regretfully, a 13–27 record and a string of setbacks forced the Sky to reevaluate their plans.
Weatherspoon was recognized for keeping Chicago in the running for the playoffs for the most of the season, despite her brief stint. Things didn’t really start to fall apart until the Sky had a late-season collapse and finished the Olympics with a 3-13 record. The team’s most important player was lost due to a wrist injury sustained by star forward Angel Reese in early September. Fans were stunned by the decision to terminate Weatherspoon, although some surmised that it was inevitable given the team’s poor performance.
Angel Reese’s tribute to Teresa Weatherspoon
The dynamic player, Angel Reese, who had come to Chicago mostly because of Weatherspoon, shared her sadness on social media. Reese discussed the coach’s influence on her career in an emotional article, highlighting their quick development of a personal bond.
Reese wasn’t holding back when discussing the importance of Weatherspoon’s work, particularly given that she is a Black woman in a leadership capacity. The poignant message in the forward also brought to light the sense of loss she feels for her coach and the close bond they had. Reese’s homage went on: “I’m heartbroken,”. “She was the only person that believed in me at such a pivotal moment in my life.”
“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. We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever.” “You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough. I love you, Tspoon.”
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 decision will surely have repercussions for the players who felt strongly connected to Weatherspoon’s leadership as well as the Sky, who now have the responsibility of hiring a new head coach.
