WNBA legend lands new head coach job

Feb 25, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New Orleans Pelicans Assistant Coach Teresa Weatherspoon during warmups New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

WNBA Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon has landed a new gig. The former New York Liberty star is finalizing a deal to return to the WNBA as the new head coach of the Chicago Sky.

Weatherspoon served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans for the past four seasons. Weatherspoon developed a strong relationship with Pelicans star Zion Williamson, but she parted ways with the NBA franchise in June.

Basketball Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon is finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Weatherspoon – one of best players in WNBA history – spent the past four years as a Pelicans assistant coach. pic.twitter.com/MXjLKBypZU

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 11, 2023

The Sky were eliminated in brutal fashion during the first round of the 2023 WNBA playoffs. Chicago lost to the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces in two games by an average margin of 25 points.

The Sky were coached by James Wade for four and a half seasons before he quit midway through the 2023 campaign. Wade took an offer to be an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors. Wade was also the general manager of the Sky and led them to the WNBA championship in 2021.

Chicago will look to Weatherspoon to lead their new era after five seasons of making the postseason.

Weatherspoon played eight seasons in the WNBA, primarily for the Liberty. She was a 5-time All-Star and known for her playmaking abilities.