Teresa Weatherspoon Officially Named Head Coach of the Chicago Sky

Teresa Weatherspoon, a former Hall of Fame player for the New York Liberty and assistant coach for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Chicago Sky. This announcement comes after the departure of James Wade, who led the Sky to a WNBA championship in 2021. Weatherspoon’s hiring means that half of the league’s coaching positions are now held by former WNBA players.

Weatherspoon’s transition from the NBA to the WNBA follows in the footsteps of Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, who made history as the first female full-time assistant coach in the NBA. Hammon’s experience in the NBA translated into success for the Aces, with the team winning the 2022 WNBA title. Weatherspoon brings a similar level of expertise and experience to the Sky.

As she steps into her new role, Weatherspoon faces a challenging situation in Chicago. The team’s 18-22 record this season under Wade and interim coach Emre Vatansever left them without a first-round draft pick to improve for the upcoming season. Additionally, the Sky traded away their 2025 first-round pick in a deal for guard Marina Mabrey.

NBA-to-WNBA Coaching Pipeline

The hiring of coaches like Weatherspoon and Hammon, who have NBA coaching experience, marks a significant trend in the WNBA. These coaches bring valuable insights and strategies from the NBA to the women’s game. Weatherspoon, who has spent time as a player development coach and an assistant coach in the NBA, will undoubtedly bring her knowledge and experience to the Sky.

While the trend of former WNBA players needing to leave NBA coaching staffs to become head coaches is concerning, it is a positive development that WNBA teams no longer need to hire male head coaches to gain NBA experience. This shift has opened up opportunities for former WNBA players to coach in the league.

It remains to be seen whether Weatherspoon will recruit more coaches with NBA experience to her staff, as Hammon did with the Aces. Hammon’s staff includes Natalie Nakase, who had extensive coaching experience with the LA Clippers, and Tyler Marsh, a former player development coach for the Indiana Pacers.

Chicago Sky’s Tricky Situation

Weatherspoon takes over the Sky with a challenging roster situation. Wade’s departure left a void in both the head coaching and general manager positions, which the team plans to split among two different individuals. This change follows a league-wide trend in the WNBA.

Chicago’s decision to trade their 2024 first-round pick and swap rights in 2025 for Marina Mabrey put them at a disadvantage. The team finished with a 18-22 record, narrowly avoiding sending a lottery pick to the Dallas Wings. The Wings will instead receive the Sky’s No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft.

With the trade still allowing the Wings to swap first-round picks with the Sky in 2025, Chicago’s ability to add star talent through the draft is severely limited. The team’s chances of attracting top free agents are also hindered by their lack of a dedicated practice facility, which is becoming increasingly important to players in free agency.

Despite these challenges, the Sky have signed key players such as Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey, and Elizabeth Williams for the 2024 season. However, two starters, Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith, will enter unrestricted free agency.

As the new head coach, Weatherspoon will face the task of building a competitive roster and guiding the Sky back to championship contention. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from her time in the NBA, making her a valuable addition to the Chicago Sky organization.

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Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.