Angel Reese had a phenomenal start to her WNBA career. After being taken seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 draft, she quickly established herself as an All-Star and a double-double machine.
Reese averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her rookie year, setting the record for the highest rebounding average in a season. In the same year, she also surpassed Candace Parker’s record for the longest double-double streak in WNBA history with 15.
Advertisement
A huge part of her success was former Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Reese had a prominent role for Chicago under Weatherspoon, who made full use of her tenacity and nose for the ball.
Unfortunately, the Sky didn’t have much success as a team despite Reese’s dominance. They finished with a 13-27 record, the third-worst in the conference behind the Los Angeles Sparks (8-32) and Dallas Wings (9-31).
As a result, the Sky fired Weatherspoon and eventually hired former Las Vegas Aces assistant Tyler Marsh to be their next head coach.
Advertisement
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese talks with former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
(Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
In the latest episode of her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, Reese had Weatherspoon as her guest. The two discussed the former Sky coach’s firing, which Weatherspoon said was a “tremendous shock” for her.
Weatherspoon added that the Sky didn’t give her the respect she deserved by informing her of their decision through a phone call instead of saying it in person.
Reese, for her part, admitted that it was just an “unfortunate” situation overall. However, she remains appreciative of Weatherspoon for what she has done for her career.
Advertisement
“I think you move with a lot of grace come to the situation that did happen,” Reese told Weatherspoon. “It was very unfortunate for a lot of us more than you you know. I kind of took from it like I always told you people come in your life for a reason and a season. And I think you came in in my life for the right reason and the right season.”
Reese added, “I can’t speak for anybody else, but I think you came into my life for the right reason and the right season, and we forever locked in. I’m just so thankful that it was that right time. It was the perfect time.”
For what it’s worth, despite the way the Sky handled her exit, Weatherspoon said that she’s not holding a grudge against the team and that she has moved on.
Advertisement
Weatherspoon is currently coaching in the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled for the team Vinyl BC. Reese was part of the league last season but opted not to participate in the 2026 campaign.
Related: “Do Not Believe It”: Angel Reese Makes Request Amid Fake News
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.