Angel Reese pours her heart out in a touching tribute to ex-coach on special day

The Chicago Sky may have parted ways with Teresa Weatherspoon, but All-Star Angel Reese continues to cherish the relationship they established. Weatherspoon, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday, received a tribute from Reese on her special day.

Reese used her social media account to greet her former head coach, who turned 59 on her latest birthday. Through a post on her Instagram Stories, Reese candidly expressed her gratitude for the former Sky head coach and included a selfie that featured them smiling.

Here is what Reese wrote for Weatherspoon:

"I love you past life!" Reese said. "God really blessed me with you!! Happy birthday coach!"

Angel Reese's IG story featuring Teresa Weatherspoon (Photo credits: Reese's Instagram)

Last season was the first time Teresa Weatherspoon held a head coaching position in the WNBA. In her first-ever coaching gig, she compiled a 13-27 record and missed the postseason.

Despite the lack of team success, Angel Reese, who was a rookie in 2024, showed plenty of promise under Weatherspoon's system. She averaged a double-double throughout the season with 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds.

The 2024 rookie led the league in rebounds per game and came close to setting the single-season record for rebounds. She ended the 2024 campaign with 446, which is just five boards short of A'ja Wilson's 451 boards which she also set during the 2024 season.

Reese was also named an All-Star and was the only other first-year player to receive a vote for the Rookie of the Year award.

Aside from coaching Angel Reese, Teresa Weatherspoon also coached rookie Kamilla Cardoso. Alongside Reese, Cardoso averaged 9.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.4 blocks.

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Angel Reese shared how she felt about the Sky's firing of Teresa Weatherspoon

Teresa Weatherspoon's firing might have felt abrupt considering she only coached the Chicago Sky for a single season. Despite her limited time there, she seemed to have a profound effect on Angel Reese, whom Weatherspoon coached through her rookie year.

Reese shared her feelings on Weatherspoon being let go as head coach through X (formerly Twitter). In a rather lengthy tweet, Reese admitted that she felt "heartbroken." The 2024 All-Star said that Weatherspoon believed and trusted in her when no one else would.

Reese also went on to call her an "unsung hero" and said that the relationship they built in their short time working together would last forever. Finally, she wrote this to complete her message for Weatherspoon:

"You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough," Reese said. "I love you Tspoon."

Teresa Weatherspoon has already secured her next coaching job following her short-lived gig with the Chicago Sky. She is one of the six coaches in the "Unrivaled" three-on-three league's inaugural season which will kick off in January 2025.

Weatherspoon will coach "Vinyl," which already has its roster set. The six-woman squad under the ex-Sky head coach features Arike Ogunbowale, Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, Rae Burrell, Aliyah Boston and Dearica Hamby.