Kamilla Cardoso Reveals Painful Bullying Experience by Angel Reese and Teresa Weatherspoon: Claims Coach Weatherspoon Benched Her to Boost Reese’s Stats, Forbidding Her from Speaking Up
In a heartbreaking and candid interview, Kamilla Cardoso, the rookie center for the Chicago Sky, has shared the emotional toll of being bullied during her first year in the WNBA. Cardoso details her experiences with bullying at the hands of teammate Angel Reese and coach Teresa Weatherspoon, revealing the toxic dynamics within the team that not only hampered her growth but also led to her being benched to artificially boost Reese’s stats. The rookie also claims that she was forbidden from speaking out about the mistreatment, with Weatherspoon reportedly threatening to undermine her career if she did.
Cardoso’s story sheds light on the darker side of professional basketball—where toxic team dynamics and the pressure to elevate star players can have severe consequences for the emotional and professional development of young, impressionable players.
It’s a powerful reminder that the struggles faced by athletes aren’t always about the game itself, but often about the environment they are forced to navigate.
Kamilla Cardoso’s Difficult First Year in the WNBA
Kamilla Cardoso entered the WNBA with high expectations after being drafted by the Chicago Sky. Standing at 6’7″, she was seen as a promising young player with incredible potential.
However, her first season has been marred by claims of bullying and mistreatment, leaving her to reflect on how quickly the pressure of professional basketball can turn from excitement to a painful battle for self-esteem.
Cardoso has revealed that much of her struggle stemmed from being treated as an outsider by some of her more established teammates and coaching staff. While star player Angel Reese was expected to lead the team, Cardoso says Reese’s leadership style was anything but supportive.
“I came into this league excited to prove myself, but instead of being embraced, I was belittled,” Cardoso shared. “Angel [Reese] was always making comments about how I didn’t belong, calling me ‘slow’ and mocking my mistakes. Instead of helping me get better, it felt like she was trying to make me feel worse about myself.”
According to Cardoso, Reese’s criticism wasn’t limited to private moments. She alleges that Reese would frequently make jabs at her during team practices and in front of other players, which created a hostile environment where the rookie was unsure how to approach the game and her role within the team.
Teresa Weatherspoon’s Role in Enforcing Silence
But the bullying wasn’t confined to Reese alone. Teresa Weatherspoon, who was supposed to be a mentor for Cardoso, is also accused of contributing to the toxic atmosphere. Cardoso claims that Weatherspoon, rather than offering guidance, played a significant role in silencing her and discouraging her from standing up for herself.
“Teresa told me multiple times to just keep my head down, not to cause any problems,” Cardoso explained. “She said that if I spoke out or confronted Angel, it would hurt my career, and I’d be seen as a troublemaker. She kept telling me to just accept it, but it was getting too much. I was being crushed, but I had no voice.”
Cardoso’s account paints a picture of a culture of silence and submission, where young players are expected to conform and accept unfair treatment for the sake of team harmony. Rather than fostering a nurturing environment for growth, Weatherspoon’s approach, according to Cardoso, discouraged healthy conflict resolution and left the rookie to navigate her struggles alone.
