Less than two months after parting ways with the Chicago Sky, basketball legend Teresa Weatherspoon is back on the sidelines.
On Friday, Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 basketball league set to debut in January, announced Weatherspoon as one of its six head coaches.
A Fresh Start After Sky Challenges
Weatherspoon’s appointment comes after a tough season with the Chicago Sky, where the team ended with a 13-27 record, missing the playoffs. Despite the challenging stint, her influence left a lasting impression.
Angel Reese, the Sky’s first-round draft pick and LSU standout, shared a heartfelt tribute to Weatherspoon following her firing in September. Reese, who will play in Unrivaled’s inaugural season, credited Weatherspoon as a pivotal figure in her career.
“I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me… She was the only person that believed in me,” Reese wrote. “Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a Black woman in sports when nobody believes in you.”
Building a New League with Star Power
Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, aims to provide WNBA players with an offseason alternative to European leagues.
The league promises the highest regular average salaries in women’s professional sports, with players earning six figures and receiving equity as inaugural members.
The league also announced its remaining head coaches, including NBA coaching veteran Phil Handy, WNBA assistant Nola Henry, and player development specialists Adam Harrington, DJ Sackmann, and Andrew Wade.
Handy, known for his player development expertise and three NBA championships, joins Weatherspoon as the most prominent figures on the coaching roster.
What’s Next for Unrivaled
Unrivaled’s six teams will feature rosters of six players each, with details on team lineups expected soon. Games will air in primetime on TNT, further boosting the league’s visibility as it prepares to reshape the women’s basketball landscape.
Weatherspoon’s return to coaching underscores her enduring influence on the sport, as she transitions from WNBA sidelines to leading in this groundbreaking league.
