Report: Former Pelicans Assistant To Become Chicago Sky Head Coach
Teresa Weatherspoon, former New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach is "finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the WNBA's Chicago Sky," according to NBA Insider Shams Charania. Weatherspoon was with the Pelicans organization for four seasons before being released this offseason.
Apr 5, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer played collegiate basketball at Louisiana Tech when the Lady Techsters won the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship in 1988. She joined the New York Liberty in 1997 after eight seasons on European teams in Russia, Italy, and France. In the WNBA, Weatherspoon was a 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 5x All-Star, and 2x Steals Champion and was voted to the 15th and 20th Anniversary teams.
The former veteran basketball player has been enshrined into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2010), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2019), and LA Tech Athletic Hall of Fame (1995).
Weatherspoon became the head coach of her alma mater from 2009 to 2014. Later, the Pelicans hired her as an assistant coach in 2020. She developed a close relationship with the players in New Orleans, especially star power forward Zion Williamson.
The Chicago Sky hired Weatherspoon to take over a program that was 18-22 in 2023 under head coaches James Wade (7-9) and Emre Vatansever (11-13). 2022 WNBA Champions, Las Vegas Aces, swept the Sky 2-0 in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Playoff. Chicago won the 2021 WNBA Finals with James Wade.
Zion Williamson credits Weatherspoon for his development and being a person to lean on while going through tough injuries. Affectionately known as T-Spoon, she will have an opportunity to restore the Chicago Sky franchise.
