It was a turbulent time for the Sky with their most popular player after they fired head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
After the WNBA team’s decision last month to axe Weatherspoon after one season, rookie Angel Reese spoke out in her former coach’s defense and told the Chicago Sun-Times she “can’t imagine playing for the Sky.”
Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca said Wednesday that things have calmed down in the two weeks since.
Angel Reese voiced her frustration after the Sky fired Teresa Weatherspoon.
“The franchise’s relationship with Angel is in a good spot,” Pagliocca said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Emotions were high for a couple days and we can respect that. We can appreciate it. We understand that there’s bonds that are built with coaches and players, especially the young ones.
“So, we’re in a good place right now. We’re back in discussions. Everything has calmed down quite a bit, but I understand it. Emotions are a real part of this thing when you have a real friendship.”
The Sky finished the season 13-27, losing 12 of their final 14 games to just miss out on the final playoff spot.
Despite adding Reese with the No. 7 pick and South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso at No. 3, the team regressed — they went 18-22 the previous year — in Weatherspoon’s first season.
There seemed to be myriad reasons behind the firing.
Terese Weatherspoon was fired after one season as Sky coach.
Some players reportedly voiced concerns about an offensive scheme that changed midseason in their exit interviews.
Pagliocca also acknowledged there were rumblings that veteran free agents would not be interested in signing with the Sky due to Weatherspoon’s inexperience.
“We heard things along those lines,” Pagliocca said. “We just want to make sure that we’re continuing our quest for a championship, being in the playoffs every single season.”
Reese, who averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in an impressive rookie season, missed the final six games due to a fractured wrist.
Angel Reese takes in a Bears game on Oct. 6, 2024.
The 22-year-old wrote on X on Wednesday that the brace was coming off her hand.“First, I want to say that I have a lot of respect for Spoon,” Pagliocca said. “We’re very appreciative of the competitive teams, the resiliency, the spirit she brought to us every night. Look guys, as an organization we just felt it was time to make a change.”
News
Golden State Valkyries Make Historic Hire Ahead of Inaugural WNBA Season
The Valkyries hired Natalie Nakase as the WNBA’s first ever Asian-American woman to hold a head coaching job. Natalie Nakase will make history as the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries next season. The Golden State Valkyries are set…
Golden State Valkyries hire Las Vegas Aces assistant Natalie Nakase as their first head coach
First assistant coach Natalie Nakase (L) and head coach Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces laugh on the bench as they wait for the start of their game against the Washington Mystics at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 11,…
Sky’s hasty hiring, firing of Teresa Weatherspoon is another blemish for franchise to fix
Instead of Sky ownership adequately addressing the misstep during its first media availability since the firing, it was left to GM Jeff Pagliocca, who was hired nearly three weeks after Weatherspoon. The Sky fired coach Teresa Weatherspoon on Sept. 27…
WNBA reveals plan for a best-of-seven Finals and a longer regular season
Before Lynx-Liberty Game 1, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the season likely will go deeper into October. She also said the league is taking steps to combat racism and bullying. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, speaking before the draft in April. WNBA…
Big changes are coming to the WNBA in 2025.
WNBA Announces Changes to Regular Season, Playoff Format for 2025 Season. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert holds a press conference before game one of the WNBA Finals. There will be some significant changes coming to the WNBA in 2025, league commissioner…
OMGGGG!!!!!! WNBA Finals Game 1: Lynx pull off 18-point comeback, down Liberty in OT
Shortly before the New York Liberty learned they’d be playing the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals, Sabrina Ionescu said of the Liberty’s accomplishments — reaching back-to-back Finals — “I don’t see a trophy in our locker room.” Well, that remains true — and now it…
End of content
No more pages to load