Kahleah Copper is ready for the Chicago Sky’s next chapter led by new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
Speaking at Weatherspoon’s introductory press conference Tuesday, Copper said the five-time WNBA All-Star and former NBA assistant coach will bring an “electric” energy to the team.
“Super excited to be a part of this era,” said Copper, at times speaking directly to Weatherspoon, who sat beside her. “I think that we’re going to do something really special. Beyond the accolades, you’re an amazing person, and someone that I can really relate to and someone that I want to really give all that you deserve. So I’m proud to be here and a part of this organization and I’m ready to gear up.”
For her part, Weatherspoon, 57, is excited for what this chapter holds for herself and for the Sky. As someone who has been told “no” many times and had doors closed to her, she likened this new opportunity in Chicago to climbing through a window. And she is ready to go all in, she said.
“They don’t call me ‘Spoon’ for nothing,” she said. “I’m coming here to stir things up.”
As for Copper, Weatherspoon views her as a leader for the team. The 2021 WNBA Finals MVP, Copper signed a multi-year contract extension with the Sky in September.
“It’s her time to lead this organization in the right way,” she said. “And it’s my duty to pour into her, to pour into every player to support this organization.”
And Weatherspoon is confident about the roster beyond just Copper. That’s part of the reason she bought into being head coach of the team.
“That’s why I sit here,” she said. “Absolutely great question. And it is no answer but absolutely.”
Before the 2023 season ended, Copper had decided to re-sign with the Sky. And the 29-year-old guard had conversations with Weatherspoon that helped solidify her decision as the right one. From their very first conversation, the energy between the two sparked in a way that Copper hasn’t experienced before with coaches.
“It was like our energy just, we connected over energy,” she said. “And I said I’ve never had a coach that could really match my energy and that was just something that really hit me.”
Weatherspoon says that the team’s new identity will be forged in “fire,” and Copper already embodies that.
“You have it right here,” Weatherspoon said. “It becomes contagious. Fire becomes contagious, energy becomes contagious. Just being energetic becomes truly contagious, and it’ll jump from one person to the next. I promise you if you stand close to it’s gonna jump in you. I promise you.”