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Report: Sky Fire HC Teresa Weatherspoon; Coached Angel Reese in WNBA rookie season | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Report: Sky Fire HC Teresa Weatherspoon; Coached Angel Reese in WNBA rookie season | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon of the Chicago Sky reacts in the first quarter against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 19, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

According to The Chicago Sky, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon has been fired after just one season at the helm Chicago Sun-Times' Annie Costabile.

The Sky finished the season 13-27 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2018.

According to Costabile, players “outwardly supported” the first-year head coach throughout the season, but exit interviews revealed a “distance.”

“Several players noted the changing style of play throughout the year and mentioned the learning curve as a first-year coach,” Cosabile wrote.

The Sky were in a playoff position for most of the season and had a chance to clinch a postseason berth at the end of the year, but Chicago lost 12 of their final 14 games, sealing their fate.

While the players noted the discrepancy between Weatherspoon and their squad, Sky also had to deal with circumstances beyond their control, namely the many different injuries throughout the season. Chicago played just two games with a fully healthy roster, and star rookie Angel Reese suffered a season-ending injury in early September.

Reese was outspoken on social media following Weatherspoon's firing.

“You had a hard job. All the crazy circumstances we've been through this year and when your back was against the wall you always believed,” Reese wrote on X. “I came to Chicago because of YOU. “You were an unsung hero in my life.”

Angel Reese @Reese10Angel

I am heartbroken. I am literally at a loss for words knowing what this woman meant to me at such a pivotal point 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 it…

It's only been three seasons since the Sky won their first WNBA championship, but they've suffered a number of setbacks since then. James Wade, who led Chicago to the title as the team's coach and general manager, left midway through the 2023 season and the Sky were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The Sky endured an unsuccessful offseason in the free agency market, which ultimately led to star guard Kahleah Copper requesting a trade before the start of the regular season.

Even though things look bleak for Chicago right now, the team has a young roster that appears to be on the path to a bright future.

In the backcourt, 25-year-old Chennedy Carter led the Sky with 17.5 points per game. Reese, whose play in 2024 would likely have resulted in a Rookie of the Year award without Caitlin Clark, meshes well with fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso up front.

Chicago will now begin another coaching search to find the right person to lead a talented young group into a new era of Sky basketball.

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