Season In Review: Chicago Sky


As the end of 2020 draws near, WNBA.com is wrapping up this historic season by reviewing each team’s season. Take a look back at notable contributors and season highlights with the 2020 Season In Review. Next up: Chicago Sky.

Overview:

When thinking of the Sky, Courtney Vandersloot is the household name you can’t forget. Sloot’s record-breaking performances this season proved that she gets better with age as both a leader and a point guard. Major contributions from former reserves, Kahleah Cooper and Cheyenne Parker, were also key to Chicago’s success. Dating back to August, when the Sky went on a four-game winning streak, the franchise showed glimpses of being a Championship-level team. In the end, however, lack of depth late in the season got the best of Chicago when both Diamond DeShields and Azura Stevens departed from the bubble to nurse injuries.

Nonetheless, even without the two marquee contributors, the Sky were still able to finish sixth (12-10 overall record) in the final WNBA standings.

Looking back at previous seasons, the Sky are on the up and up. Before James Wade took over as head coach in 2019, the franchise had previously missed the playoffs in both 2017 and 2018. With Wade at the helm, the Sky have been able to earn back-to-back playoff berths. If the Sky can return their core once again, but this time at full health, watch out…. Wade could be cooking up something special in the Windy City.

Top Contributors

Courtney Vandersloot

Accurate passes, stellar court vision, and dime dropping from Sloot led the way for the Sky this season. The 10-year veteran led the league in assists (10.0 APG in 2020) for the fourth season in a row and for the second straight season she earned All-WNBA First Team Honors.

“I feel incredibly honored to be named to the All-WNBA First Team,” Vandersloot said. “There are so many deserving players, and to be named to a team with these other four players is incredibly humbling.”

Here’s a list of in-season accolades that paint the picture of the memorable season that Vandersloot had.

  • Month of August: Vandersloot won the Eastern Conference Player of The Month for the first time in her career. In a span of 14 games, Sloot averaged 13.6 PPG, 9.5 APG and 1.3 SPG.
  • On September 1, became the first player in history to record 18-assists in a single game.
  • On September 14, Sloot earned her fourth consecutive Peak Performer Award for assists
  • On September 13, officially became the first WNBA player to average double-digit assists through the regular season.

Kahleah Copper

All Copper needed was an opportunity to play more minutes, and with Diamond DeShields unfortunate battle with an on-going injury throughout the season, Copper’s number was called. The speedy guard scored in double-figures in all but two games this season, including a career-high 26 PTS against the Indiana Fever. Copper’s ability to speed past defenders and finish in traffic helped the crafty guard average a career-high 14.8 PPG, an 8.1 point jump in scoring from the 2019 season. Most impressively, the Rutgers product scored in a consistent fashion, finishing the season shooting over 49.6% from the field.

Allie Quigley

From creating her own shot to her wife Courtney Vandersloot finding the shooter in all the right spots on the floor, Quigley continued to be lights out from beyond the arc in 2020. The sharpshooting veteran averaged a team-high 15.4 PPG. On September 6, Quigley made a season-high five 3-pointers. Quigley recorded five games where she scored 20 points or more and reached double-figures in all but two games.

Cheyenne Parker

A breakout year for the forward was what the Sky needed. Parker notched career-highs in scoring (13.4 PPG), rebounding (6.4 RPG), and minutes played (24.9 MPG). On September 2, Parked registered the best stat line of her career with 20 PTS, 15 REB, and 4 BLK’s.

Season Highlights

Vandersloot Becomes First Player To Record 18 Assists In A Single-Game

Sloot broke the 22-year-old-record for most assists in a game that was previously held by Ticha Penicheiro. The ‘Vanderquigs’ made this a team effort. Easily the most memorable moment of the game is when Quigley received the record-setting assist and connected on a triple.

Quigley Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer For Chicago Sky

It was yet another ‘Vanderquig’ connection, Sloot found Quigley coming off of a screen to help her get the go-ahead bucket to become the franchise all-time leading scorer. Quigley currently has a total of 2,994 points for the Sky and counting.

Sky Set Franchise Record For Largest Margin Of Victory vs. LA

On July 28, the Chicago Sky defeated the Los Angeles Sparks by 18-points, which marked the largest win margin they’ve had against the Los Angeles Sparks in franchise history.