Teresa Weatherspoon feels ‘buy-in’ from her players on first day of training camp

Teresa Weatherspoon’s first official practice as the Sky’s coach was everything she had been touting it would be since she was hired last fall.

The energy was high and the effort remained for nearly an hour after practice ended, with a number of players staying to get up extra shots. Everything Weatherspoon needs to be successful, she said, was in the gym at the Sachs Recreation Center.

‘‘A great deal of energy in here,’’ Weatherspoon said. ‘‘When you have that, as a coach, you feel the buy-in is there. That’s what you want. That was important for us to gain a little bit of chemistry and continuity.’’

Weatherspoon’s emphasis in her first practice was on defining the expectations she and her staff have for the roster.
Some players still are getting their playbooks, including rookie center Kamilla Cardoso. The reigning NCAA champion’s takeaway from her first day of practice as a pro was that there’s a lot to learn. The similarities between her college coach, Dawn Staley, and Weatherspoon were noticeable.

‘‘I don’t like to compare people, but [Weatherspoon] is very similar to coach Staley,’’ Cardoso said. ‘‘They’re big on family and the little details, and she holds us accountable. That’s what I love about [Weatherspoon]: She stays true to herself.’’

Kysre Gondrezick, who is signed to a training-camp contract, was the only player who didn’t take part during the portion of practice open to the media. She observed from the sidelines in a sweatsuit.

The most pressing issue for Weatherspoon is to define roles for each player on her roster. General manager Jeff Pagliocca put together a forward-heavy roster, including two rookies — Cardoso and forward Angel Reese — whose development will rely on playing time. Both are expected to get ample opportunities this season, but it’s too early to say whether either will start.

Of the two, it seems more likely Weatherspoon will use Cardoso in the starting lineup. On Sunday, rotations fluctuated constantly for the 30 minutes open to the media.

One thing Weatherspoon has made clear is her feeling that her team has nothing to prove.

‘‘We hear the noise,’’ Weatherspoon said. ‘‘We hear it, and that’s what we see it as: noise. . . . We’re not worried about what the outside world says; it’s about what we say.’’

The Sky will play preseason games Friday against the Lynx and May 7 against the Liberty before Pagliocca and Weatherspoon cut their 14-player roster to 12.