Key Takeaways:
• WNBA star Angel Reese attended the Met Gala on her 22nd birthday, causing her to leave a Chicago Sky practice session early.
• Coach Teresa Weatherspoon indicates no concerns over Reese’s early exit, stating that it’s important to support such opportunities.
• In addition to Reese, rookie Kamilla Cardoso was also absent from practice due to the premiere of the docu-series “Full Court Press.”
• Cardoso, currently injured, is expected to be sidelined for about 1-2 months.
• This marks the first season for Teresa Weatherspoon as Chicago Sky head coach.
Early Exit for Angel Reese at Met Gala
As reported by Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese celebrated her 22nd birthday in style at the 2024 Met Gala, causing her to leave team practice ahead of schedule. This comes a day before the Sky’s first home preseason game, sparking debate about the WNBA star’s commitments. However, coach Teresa Weatherspoon dismissed any concerns, stating, “That’s something they earned and that’s never something we’d ever take away.”
Kamilla Cardoso’s Premiere Attendance and Injury
Reese wasn’t the sole player excused from the May 6th practice. Standout rookie Kamilla Cardoso also had an early departure to attend the Indianapolis premiere of the Netflix docu-series “Full Court Press,” a series that chronicled Cardoso’s extraordinary journey along with Caitlin Clark and UCLA’s Kiki Rice throughout the 2023-24 NCAA women’s basketball season. The series, produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, will premiere on May 11th and 12th on both ABC and ESPN+.
However, Cardoso was already exempt from the practice due to a shoulder injury sustained during a preseason game on May 3rd. The team announced that Cardoso would be out for four to six weeks, leading to a delay in her regular-season WNBA debut.
First Season for Teresa Weatherspoon as Chicago Sky Head Coach
On October 12, Chicago Sky introduced Teresa Weatherspoon as the new head coach. A celebrated addition to the franchise, Weatherspoon has been inducted into 5 Hall of Fames and won various awards throughout her career, including the honor of being a five-time WNBA All-Star Starter. Prior to joining the Chicago Sky, Weatherspoon served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Both the events and the players’ decisions have generated much discussion among fans and followers, with a consensus emerging that supports the opportunities and the journeys these players have embarked on, both on and off-court. Coach Weatherspoon’s supportive stance reinforces the club’s commitment to player well-being and growth.