For a player and coach once tied together in a difficult season, a simple social media message can speak volumes. While this Hall of Famer’s departure from the Chicago Sky in 2024 sparked a firestorm of criticism toward the franchise’s front office, she has finally found a new home.

As per the latest updates, Teresa Weatherspoon is all set to join Prime Video as part of its WNBA broadcast team, and for Angel Reese, who spent her rookie season under Weatherspoon, she couldn’t be happier.

Taking to the comments section of her former coach’s Instagram post, she wrote: “happy for you.” And just to double down on the sentiment, she added “YUPPPPP.”

But let’s make sure, you know this isn’t just a polite gesture because it’s a nod to a relationship that defined Reese’s entry into professional basketball.

In 2023, Weatherspoon took the responsibility to lead the Chicago Sky as the franchise started its rebuild. Around the same time, Angel Reese also arrived in Chicago after being selected as the No. 7 overall pick in the WNBA Draft, instantly becoming one of the central pieces of that new-look roster.

And it’s important to note that, under Weatherspoon’s mentorship, Reese didn’t just play; she flourished and went on to set the WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles (15) and earn an All-Star nod.

But despite that progress in a transitional season, the Sky opted not to retain Weatherspoon after just one year, which immediately sparked backlash across the league. Why? Because many pointed to the lack of continuity and the limited time she was given to fully shape a rebuilding roster.

Yes, it’s true that the Sky finished that season with a 13–27 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Still, a rebuilding year wasn’t a fair metric.

Even Angel Reese herself wasn’t on board with how things unfolded. The young star was among those who publicly expressed their disappointment with the decision, making it clear just how much Weatherspoon meant to her.

“I came to Chicago because of YOU,” she had said at the time.

Now, this should give you a fair understanding of the bond the two shared. So as Weatherspoon steps into a new beginning, it’s worth noting that Angel Reese is also at a very different point in her journey.

Because when she publicly expressed her disappointment over the Sky’s decision, it quietly marked the beginning of a growing disconnect between Reese and the direction the franchise was taking.

Inside the Slow Breakdown in Chicago

When Angel Reese arrived in Chicago, she was widely considered to become the face of the franchise, which, by the way, did happen, but just not for too long.

From the energy she brought to the boards to her growing presence in the locker room, Chicago leaned heavily on Reese’s impact as they tried to find stability in a shifting roster. And for a while, it looked like that partnership was building in the right direction.

But everything started to fall apart in the 2025 season.

As the Sky continued to struggle with consistency, Reese began to publicly push for more structure and stronger roster support around her. While this was initially seen as competitive frustration, it quickly turned into something deeper, as her comments reflected a growing urgency about the direction of the team.

But the organization didn’t take it lightly.

Chicago labeled her remarks as “detrimental,” and tensions quickly escalated, as Angel Reese faced a half-game suspension. Even though the team tried to cover it up by citing injury as the reason for her absence, the disconnect between both sides was already out in the open.

Eventually, that tension reached its breaking point, and the Chicago Sky made the decision to move on.

They traded Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a deal that included future first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, along with a 2028 second-round swap.

And just like that, what began as a promising partnership in Chicago officially unraveled, setting the stage for a new chapter that Reese would now have to write somewhere else entirely.

Angel Reese is Ready for the 2026 WNBA Season Amid a New Chapter

As Reese prepares for the upcoming season, one thing is clear: she’s entering it with a different mindset.

Over the last couple of years, the two-time All-Star has experienced both highs and lows in her career. From winning a national championship at LSU and entering the league as a top pick to navigating the constant spotlight that followed her transition to the pros.

And according to her, not all of it has been easy.

Speaking on the IMO podcast with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, she admitted that dealing with the outside noise has been one of the biggest challenges.

“I’m getting pulled by the wins, but I’m also getting pulled by the losses, and how do I find a medium where I’m able to just cope with both?” Angel Reese said.

That’s a question not many athletes can find an answer to. Yet she’s learned how to handle it.

“I try to wake up every day and just be grateful for every moment… I don’t want bad moments to outshine the good moments,” she added. “I’ve grown to have a skin where you can’t break me. You just can’t break me. It just makes me go harder… I have nothing to prove to anybody but myself.”

And that mindset is exactly what she plans to carry into this next chapter.

As much as the conversation around Angel Reese has often focused on the noise, her focus truly lies on growth, perspective, and what’s ahead. So with a fresh start waiting in Atlanta Dream colors, Reese isn’t just stepping into a new season; she’s stepping into it on her own terms.