The Chicago Sky after their nightmarish season have now fired their head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. She was hired in October 2023 to replace the interim head coach Emre Vatansever. Into her first season, the 58-year-old couldn’t uplift the Sky as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs after an abysmal 13-27 record. While Weatherspoon had to bear the brunt from the management, the players look to have formed a soft corner for the head coach. This was evident when Sky rookie Angel Reese tweeted a long message in favor of Weatherspoon, committing a factual blunder. And post that, another Sky veteran thanked Weatherspoon for her duties.

“i’m forever thankful for spoon 🙏🏻🏁,” Chennedy Carter tweeted on Friday. Notably, Carter hit 17.5 points with 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this season. She emerged as the core offensive player for the Sky and a lot of credit for it goes to Weatherspoon who trusted the 25-year-old to do the work.

The Sky from the beginning of the season didn’t have high expectations after they traded their core star Kahleah Copper in the off-season. However, getting a chance to draft the number three and number seven picks in the form of Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese provided some relief. Though the Sky never had an impressive win-loss tally, nonetheless, they were up in contention for a playoff spot until their last two games in the regular season.

As the Sky had must-win games against the Atlanta Dream and the Connecticut Sun, they lost both of them, ending their dreams of making it to the postseason. They ended their run at the third-last spot in the W rankings. And eventually, the management fired Weatherspoon which got her emotional messages from all quarters including one from Reese.

Angel Reese commits a factual error in thanking Teresa Weatherspoon

After being a sensation in the NCAA, Reese was drafted in the professional league. In her first season itself, she seemed to have bonded well with Weatherspoon as she was given charge of the team. And the 22-year-old didn’t fail to live up to the expectations. She brought her A-game to the league, becoming the double-double queen, surpassing Candace Parker’s record of most double-doubles. To top that she ended her season as the top in rebounds average with 13.1 boards per game. However, an injury late into the second half ended her season. But the Maryland-born did not forget to thank Weatherspoon for trusting her and helping her scale heights in her rookie season itself.

Reese took to X after the news of firing Weatherspoon became public enumerating that she was heartbroken. “She was the only person that believed in me,” Reese added before stating that she was “an unsung hero in my life.” However, Reese committed a factual error by stating ” I came to Chicago because of YOU.” And netizens didn’t look to spare the rookie for her mistake.

The internet was quick to point out that Reese was drafted as the seventh overall pick in the WNBA draft. She didn’t have a choice to choose her coach instead she had to go along with whichever team picked her. This was different from the NCAA where players can visit schools before deciding to commit to a particular program. “You came to Chicago because they drafted you not because of her you idiot,” one fan commented.

Hopefully, Reese will be able to maintain her composure along with Carter who looks to be moved by the decision. Perhaps, the Sky will soon hire a coach and the team will make a strong comeback in the next season.