The Pelicans have parted ways with assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Multiple reporters have confirmed the news, including Andrew Lopez of ESPN (via Twitter) and Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Charania says Weatherspoon has turned down other job opportunities in the past with the goal of working her way up in New Orleans.
A 2019 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame for her illustrious playing career in college, the WNBA, and in international competitions with Team USA, Weatherspoon was hired by the Pelicans ahead of the 2019/20 season as a player development coach before receiving a promotion to assistant coach in ’20/21. She previously served as head coach of the Louisiana Tech women’s team from 2009-14.
An assistant coach being dismissed doesn’t ordinarily warrant much attention, but in addition to her noteworthy accomplishments, Weatherspoon was highly respected and worked very closely with star forward Zion Williamson, tweets William Guillory of The Athletic. Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft, previously referred to his former player development coach as being “like a big sister” who helped him through his injury problems, including missing the entire ’21/22 season with a fractured foot.
The Pelicans are reportedly hiring former Hornets coach James Borrego to be their associate head coach under Willie Green. Evidently they decided to create an opening on staff by parting ways with Weatherspoon.
So they’re trading Zion now too?
Seems like it, she was basically Zion’s personal coach.
If anyone wants him right now I guess.
I’m curious as to the discrepancy between the asking price on Zion from the Pelicans, and the offers presented by other teams.
Would be interesting to see how the league values Zion, vs how the Pelicans value Zion internally.
I am a Zion doubter, but the return would still be huge, his impact when on the court is elite, teams will line up to try to manifest his potential.
Sounds like someone is flexing in Louisiana. The best ability is availability. Zion’s heart has never been with the Pelicans.
Sounds like someone is flexing in Louisiana. The best ability is availability. Zion’s heart has never been with the Pelicans. Mr. Green may simply be explaining that the world doesn’t evolve around any one player.
Zion to the Knicks we all know is in the works. Randle and a lot of picks.,