The Chicago Sky lost a ton of star power in the offseason, including forward Candace Parker and point monitor Courtney Vandersloot.
The Sky presently highlight a redid program as they open the customary season against the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night in Minneapolis.
Allie Quigley, a 3-point bomber, will not play this season, which follows Parker’s (Las Vegas) and Vandersloot’s (New York) free agency departures. The team that won the WNBA title two years ago and finished last season with a record that set a franchise record, 26-10, suddenly doesn’t look all that scary.
Kahleah Copper, the team’s leading scorer with 15.7 points per game, is back, and the Dallas Wings acquired Marina Mabrey through trade and Isabelle Harrison through free agency in the offseason were expected to play important roles. Yet, Harrison (knee) will miss expanded time, the group said Thursday.
Copper nevertheless anticipates that the Sky will outperform preseason projections.
“I’m not the kind of individual that requirements to relight the fire in light of the fact that the fire’s constantly lit,” Copper said. ” That is all I need to get me going. It’s really great for me. I like it.”
Minnesota lost for the first time since 2010 when it went 14-22 last season. The Lynx likewise saw their dash of 11 straight season finisher appearances reach a conclusion.
However, Minnesota selected guard Diamond Miller from Maryland with the second overall pick of the WNBA draft, landing a potential future star.
Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx coach, likes Miller’s performance.
Reeve said, “I love a competitor.” She’s not apprehensive. She is aware of her place. Additionally, she is so persistent and self-assured in her work. She doesn’t even look wide-eyed. “This is what I do” has been my mantra since day one.
Miller is anticipated to be a significant contributor from the get-go after averaging 19.7 points in her final college season.
“I truly do have assumptions for myself,” Mill operator said. ” Obviously, but all I want to do is play hard and give it everything. Each time I play now, I actually get this energized feeling.”
Napheesa Collier will play for Minnesota after appearing in just four games last season due to the birth of her daughter. Key returnees incorporate Ariel Powers (14.4 focuses per game) and Kayla McBride (13.3).
Focus Sylvia Fowles, the 2017 WNBA MVP, resigned after last season.
