Reshuffle the Deck: Your new look at WNBA's Chicago Sky

The arrow is pointing up, make that way up, when it comes to interest and popularity in women's basketball. Fan following of the WNBA continues to increase, and witnessed the recently completed March Madness basketball tournament where the unthinkable almost happened- women stealing the headlines from the men.

With that as a table setter and maybe even an inspiration for a bigger and better year this year, our hometown Chicago Sky women's professional basketball team is off and running for yet another season.

But this one may be unlike any other.

Chicago Sky fans will need a roster and scorecard to keep track of all the new players and faces, as the roster and lineup have been shaken up from last year like a good margarita. The sweet memories of days gone by are just now exactly that-- memories.

Gone (moment of silence, please) are long-time Chicago Sky stalwarts Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley, who gave our city so many thrilling moments, not to mention a first-ever WNBA championship during the 2021 season. WNBA icon, hometown favorite Candace Parker, and other key players from last year's team, including Emma Meerseman and Azura Stevens, are gone as well.

But not to worry. There are new names and new faces for long-time Sky fans to learn and fall in love with, which include the likes of Dana Evans, Rebekah Gardner, Ruthy Hebard, Elizabeth Williams, Courtney Williams, Sika Kone, Marina Mabrey, Alanna Smith, Kristine Anigwe, and Morgan Bertsch.

Thankfully, there is still some connection between last year and the championship teams. One is star guard Kahleah Copper and the other is the popular head coach James Wade.

Copper has played a positive role in previous years. Still, her star power has increased, and she has clearly taken on the lead actress role for this year's 2023 court production.

And Wade? In his fifth year as coach and now general manager of the Sky, he has his footprint and handprints all over this new-look Sky squad. The team may not have any big names WNBA fans are familiar with. Still, they have proven solid players and, more importantly, those hungry and anxious to prove the experts wrong.

Wade promises the team will play rapidly, the defense will be their calling card, and in his own words, "We are going to cause some chaos."

What do the new players bring to the table? Dana Evans was the backup guard last year and showed clear potential playing behind all-star Vandersloot. Evans is ready for prime time and to prove she can be a legit WNBA point guard and star. Marina Mabrey is a 5-foot-11-inch guard and WNBA veteran who can shoot, pass, rebound, defend, and, most importantly, win-which she has done with many of the teams she has played on.

The six-foot-three-inches center Elizabeth Williams is a feared defensive presence and shot blocker extraordinaire. Courtney Williams is an active and athletic wing player. Sika Kone, an overlooked (but maybe no more) six-foot-three-inch post player, and Rebekah Gardner, a quality player from last year's team who finally, at the age of 32, got her chance to play in the WNBA-- and when she did, made the most of it even making the all-rookie team. Rebekah indeed has a remarkable story of persistence and belief in herself (after playing many seasons abroad in Israel, Turkey, Romania, and Spain, and never until last year getting a chance to play in the WNBA).

Megan Bertsch is a rapidly improving 6-foot-4-inch forward with great upside, Kristine Anigwe is a solid inside player, and Alanna Smith, who played for years on the Australian National team, is yet another legitimate scoring threat with great size at 6-feet-4-inches.

One player who figures to help a lot, just not yet, is 2022 first-round pick Ruthy Hebard, a 6-foot-4-inch forward who is a relentless rebounder and scoring threat on the inside. Hebard just gave birth to her first child, and while she is with the team on the bench and in spirit, she is still working her way into playing shape.

Put this brand-new collection all together, and what might we get? Only time will tell, but so far, the never-lack-for-energy coach James Wade and his staff have them playing at a high level.

The Sky was picked 10th out of 12 teams in the pre-season predictions. They took that as a personal insult and have been proving the experts wrong, as they sport an impressive early season record of 3-1.

Check this new squad out, folks. New memories and new stars will be made this season, no doubt.

Schedule and ticket information is available at sky.wnba.com

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