Pelicans make decision with asst. coach Teresa Weatherspoon

The Pelicans have parted ways with assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Multiple reporters have confirmed the news, including Andrew Lopez of ESPN 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 2020-21. 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, as noted by 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 2021-22 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.