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    • Angel Reese “can’t imagine playing for Sky” after Teresa Weatherspoon was fired
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    Angel Reese “can’t imagine playing for Sky” after Teresa Weatherspoon was fired

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

    Angel Reese said she couldn’t imagine a future playing for Sky without Teresa Weatherspoon, who was fired as head coach on Thursday after one season.

    Chicago finished the 2024 season with a record of 13-27 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

    “I can’t imagine playing for Sky without (Spoon),” Reese told the Sun-Times. “She’s the only reason I wanted to come here.”

    Angel Reese passes the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, 2024 at 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 in a post on X that she was “heartbroken” over the news and paid tribute to Weatherspoon.

    Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon watches from the sideline during the first half of a WNBA game against the New York Liberty on July 13, 2024 at Wintrust Arena. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

    “I am literally at a loss for words knowing what this woman meant to me at such a pivotal point in my life,” Reese wrote. “She was the only person who believed in me. The one who trusted me. Many people don’t even know what it’s like to be a black woman in sports when no one believes in you.

    “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. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life. In a short period of time, we built a relationship that will last forever. I will never question God why he brings people into my life and takes them away from me when I need them, but I have always believed that everyone is in my life for a reason and at a certain time.

    “You were the best reason and the best season. You don’t deserve this, but I can’t thank you enough. I love you, Tspoon.”

    Reese and other players had supported Weatherspoon throughout the season and spoken openly about their close relationship.

    The All-Star forward also recently released a video of her and Weatherspoon during a post-game press conference, telling reporters how special their relationship is.

    “She meant everything to me,” Reese said before pausing to wipe away tears. “… She understands me off the court, she understands me on the court.”

    According to the Chicago Sun-Times, it became clear that there were some disagreements during the farewell discussions. Several players reported that they addressed how the style of play changed over the course of the season – and noted that Weatherspoon faced a learning curve as a first-year head coach.

    Angel Reese posted this photo of her and Weatherspoon on her Instagram Stories. @angelreese5/Instagram

    Weatherspoon, who had no WNBA coaching experience before 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 becoming a player development coach for the Pelicans from 2020-23.

    The Sky were plagued by injuries, illness and inconsistency, resulting in them playing just two games with a fully healthy squad.

    Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon (left) and forward Angel Reese hug after winning a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. AP

    Reese suffered a wrist injury in Chicago’s 92-78 win over the Sparks on September 6 and required surgery.

    Guard Marina Mabrey asked to be traded midway through the season, and Chicago sent her to the Connecticut Sun, which will face the Lynx on Sunday in the first game of the 2024 WNBA playoff semifinals.

    The Sky are now looking for their fourth head coach in two years after winning the league title in 2021 under former coach James Wade.

    Weatherspoon’s firing came after the Sparks parted ways with head coach Curt Miller on Tuesday after two seasons.

    The Sparks finished 8-32 this season, the worst mark in the league.

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    Madoc Meredith
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