The firing of the WNBA’s former Pelicans assistant coach is causing a stir on social media

Angel Reese commented Frustration and sadness on social media after learning that former New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach and current WNBA Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon was fired after one season in Chicago. The former LSU star appeared shocked, “heartbroken” and speechless by the news. The Sky finished the season 13-27, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Weatherspoon moved to Chicago after spending four seasons in New Orleans. She started as a two-way player development coach before becoming a full-time assistant coach a year later. The Pelicans parted ways with the former WNBA great, surprising many given her special bond with New Orleans star forward Zion Williamson.

Williamson spoke brightly on many occasions about how Weatherspoon helped him mentally and emotionally to get through difficult periods when he was out for long periods of time due to injury.

“She asked me if I was okay? I usually shrug it off with ‘yes, I’m straight’… but I trust Tspoon and was like, ‘No, I’m not.’ Her first response wasn’t words, she just cried for me. . This is my big sister.

Weatherspoon reiterated the close bond she and Williamson shared in an interview in 2022. “I didn’t want him to feel alone. And when I tell you that there were some dark days for this young man, there were some dark days too. . . . At that point, it was much bigger than basketball. You didn’t want to lose a young man.”

Weatherspoon was one of the first players in the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997. She was the first woman to record double-digit assists in a WNBA game. Her career spanned eight seasons, during which she made five All-Star teams and was named Defensive Player of the Year twice. She is a member of the WNBA 15th and 20th Anniversary Teams.

After her playing career, Weatherspoon moved to the University of Louisiana Tech as an assistant coach before becoming head coach in 2008. Over a six-year period, she led the Lady Techsters to two NCAA Tournament appearances. The basketball star came to the Pelicans in 2019.

The Pelicans retained player development coach Corey Brewer on the team and recently hired former New Orleans native Greg Monroe as player development coach.

New Orleans begins training camp on October 1st in Nashville, Tennessee before returning home on October 7th to begin preseason games. The Pelicans play one preseason home game before playing their remaining games on the road. Their season begins on October 23rd when they host the Chicago Bulls.