Tag: Chicago Sky

Photos of LSU’s Angel Reese at 2024 WNBA draft

Angel Reese was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Chicago Sky in Monday night’s draft.

Former LSU superstar forward [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] is moving on to the professional ranks, and she learned where she’s heading on Monday.

Reese was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft as she becomes the sixth LSU player to go in the top 10. She’s also the highest-drafted Tigers player since [autotag]Sylvia Fowles[/autotag] went second overall in 2008.

The move will also pair Reese up with her former SEC foe in South Carolina’s [autotag]Kamilla Cardoso[/autotag], who the Sky took third overall. Now, the team has a formidable frontcourt duo.

Here are the photos of Reese at the WNBA draft this week.

Angel Reese gave a very insightful answer for why she chose WNBA over another year at LSU

Angel Reese gave an incredibly resonant answer about why she chose to declare for the WNBA.

Former LSU women’s basketball superstar Angel Reese finally started her professional career on Monday night in New York City.

Reese joined the Chicago Sky as the 2024 WNBA’s seventh-overall pick, and she gave an incredibly resonant answer to why she decided to go pro instead of returning to Baton Rouge for another season.

“I want to hit rock bottom,” Reese told reporters after being drafted, per For the Win’s Meghan Hall. “I want to be a rookie again…I want to grow.”

The wisdom to prioritize your growth over your comfort is what makes professional athletes great, and it sure sounds like Reese is entering the WNBA with the perfect mindset as she joins the Sky.

Reese joining Cardoso is an exciting one-two punch for Chicago, as they are two of the most prolific players in women’s college basketball this past season.

It will be exciting to watch Reese adapt to the professional level and see just how high her ceiling is in the WNBA.

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Kamilla Cardoso says nobody will be able to rebound on her and new Chicago Sky teammate Angel Reese

Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso were once competitors, but now the top-10 picks are teammates in Chicago.

Once fears competitors in the SEC, LSU’s [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso are now teaming up.

Both were selected by the Chicago Sky in the top 10 of the 2024 WNBA draft. Cardoso went third, while Reese went a few picks later at No. 7.

Those moves will shore up the frontcourt considerably for Chicago, which now has a pair of very tall trees in 6-foot-3 Reese and 6-foot-7 Cardoso.

Asked about Reese’s selection, Cardoso had just one thing to say.

“Nobody’s going to get no rebounds on us,” she said with a laugh.

Cardoso also said that Reese is a “great player.”

Cardoso and Reese were both members of the First Team All-SEC this season and are the last two Most Outstanding Players from the women’s NCAA tournament.

After competing against each other for the last two years, they will now come together to try to bring Chicago its second WNBA championship.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Kamilla Cardoso had the perfect response to Angel Reese joining her on the Chicago Sky in the WNBA

Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese playing together in Chicago is going to be fantastic.

Longtime opponents Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese are set to join each other in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky.

Cardoso went third-overall in Monday night’s 2024 WNBA Draft to Chicago, as Reese went seventh-overall to the same team.

The moves set up two of the biggest stars in college basketball this past season to play with each other for the first time, and Cardoso gave a fantastic answer for what life will be like for opponents with the two on the same team.

“Nobody is going to get any rebounds on us,” Cardoso quipped during her press availability after being drafted, per For the Win’s Meghan Hall.

Hey, that’s the kind of confidence you have to love if you’re a Chicago fan, as having Cardoso and Reese on your roster has to be exciting after watching these two dominate in the women’s NCAA tournament this year.

We’ll see how these two do on the court once the upcoming WNBA season finally gets underway this summer.

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Chicago Sky select LSU’s Angel Reese with No. 7 pick in 2024 WNBA draft

Angel Reese is heading to the Windy City.

LSU women’s basketball star [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] is heading to the Windy City.

The Chicago Sky selected Reese with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. She will now team up with one of her college rivals — former South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso — who the team drafted with the third pick earlier in the round.

Reese joined LSU in 2022 as a transfer from Maryland, and the Baltimore native became one of the best players in school history for the Tigers. She led the program to its first national title in 2023, and she set the NCAA record for double-doubles that season.

This season, Reese became the first player to lead the SEC in scoring and rebounding in back-to-back seasons since Vanderbilt’s Wendy Scholtens in 1989-90.

Reese becomes the highest-drafted LSU player in the WNBA since [autotag]Sylvia Fowles[/autotag] went second overall back in 2008.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Kahleah Copper revealed the simple reason why she asked to move on from the Chicago Sky

Here’s why Kahleah Copper being traded to the Phoenix Mercury wasn’t as puzzling as you think.

Life with the Phoenix Mercury is different for Kahleah Copper. Her mid-free-agency trade was not something she ever imagined, but the chance to elevate was too good to pass up.

Kahleah Cooper spent seven seasons with the Chicago Sky before her February 6 trade to the Phoenix Mercury uprooted her foundation. However, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, during a recent media session, Kahleah revealed that after seeing how Chicago approached free agency, she asked for a trade for the chance to compete and to do what was best for her.

Copper explained that she was happy with the decision to move on. “I’m just glad that we were able to come to an agreement and both come out in a win-win situation,” she said. ” I think it was what’s best.”

Kahleah also shared that having access to top facilities – a common theme from WNBA free agency – was a significant draw in her decision. Here’s what she said about the importance of investing in women:

“I think it’s important to invest in women. Invest in women and you see the results that come out of it. People want to play there. People want to come and be a part of something special like that. But, like I said, that’s something I’ve never experienced. So, seeing those plans and seeing what’s in the works, I’m excited to be able to be there.”

Chicago Sky trade Kahleah Copper, sign Diamond DeShields

The Sky won a WNBA championship in 2021, but are rebuilding after former head coach, James Wade, left in the middle of last season.

The Chicago Sky won a WNBA championship in 2021, but are currently rebuilding after former head coach, James Wade, left the team in the middle of the 2023 season.

This rebuild entails trades, signings and a splash in free agency.

On Monday, the Sky announced they signed guard Diamond DeShields, who was drafted by the Sky with the third overall selection in the 2018 WNBA draft. DeShields spent four seasons with the Sky and averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 113 total games. DeShields played for the Phoenix Mercury in 2022 and sat out last year with the Dallas Wings due to injury.

“We are very excited to bring Diamond back to Chicago and cannot wait to see her on the court again this season,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She is an all-around dynamic player with incredible athletic abilities and championship experience that can add to our roster in a Sky uniform once again.”

Rebuilding a team often comes with sacrifice, and the Sky announced on Tuesday they were executing trades. The Sky acquired Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, the third pick this year, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and the rights to swap 2026 second-round picks from the Mercury. In exchange, the Mercury welcomed Kahleah Copper and Morgan Bertsch to their roster.

The Sky tip off the 2024 regular season on May 15 against the Wings.

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Kahleah Copper trade grade: Who won the deal between Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury?

Kahleah Copper switching teams is a bold move, and the WNBA should be on notice.

Kahleah Copper was supposed to be part of the Chicago Sky’s future. Now, just five months after signing an extension and four months after participating in an introductory press conference for new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, Copper has been traded.

Copper and Morgan Bertsch are reportedly headed to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner and four draft picks, including the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft.

The move is a bit of a shock, considering the Sky won a championship in 2021, made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 and still had several pieces to compete for another ring prior to free agency.

Let’s do a deep dive on the trade.

The Chicago Sky and WNBA fans roasted a Chicago sports post that puzzlingly omitted a 2021 championship

Another day of somebody being LOUD and WRONG. If you don’t know your sports history, just say that.

The internet is full of hot takes, but forgetting that a whole WNBA franchise won a championship is certainly a choice.

Recency bias happens way more often than it should, especially in sports. People seemingly forget that things have happened all the time, but dismissing athletes and entire professional sports franchises is a puzzling theme.

Recently, a sports consultant (loudly and wrongly) said that Paige Bueckers wasn’t a household name and seemingly was not the same caliber as Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese. But someone else may have one-upped that incredible hot take.

A Chicago sports fan lamented about entering the longest championship drought since 1986. There’s just one tiny problem: The Chicago Cubs won a World Series in 2016 and the WNBA’s Chicago Sky won a championship in 2021.

The Cubs are listed on the posted graphic, but the Sky are inexplicably nowhere to be found as if they don’t exist. *facepalm*

As you might assume, this wild take prompted a polite response from the Sky.

But the Sky’s proof wasn’t enough. Fans jumped in with their thoughts and promptly dunked on the post. Here are a few of the best responses:

It had to be said. Please, be better. This is embarrassing.

WNBA Sportsmanship and Community Assist awards announced

The league announced the recipients of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award and the season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.

With the conclusion of the WNBA season, the league announced the recipients of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award and the season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award. Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner took home the Community Assist Award for her extensive work in championing the safe return of wrongful detainees overseas and helping marginalized communities in Phoenix.

“I’m grateful to receive this recognition from the WNBA but even more grateful to the X-factor fans, fans all around the league and our Phoenix Mercury organization for working together this year to make a difference through my Heart and Sole Shoe Drive and Bring Our Families Home,” said Griner. “I know the opportunity, privilege and responsibility I have to make a difference in the lives of others, and I’ll always remain committed to that.”

The WNBA will donate $20,000 to be split among charities of Griner’s choice, which include Bring Our Families Home and the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

The WNBA also recently announced that Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams has been named the recipient of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. The award is “presented each season to a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, including ethical behavior, fair play and integrity.”

“I’m extremely humbled to be named this year’s recipient of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award,” said Williams. “Kim displayed the highest level of respect for the game with her competitive nature and willingness to impact her local community as well. Her spirit lives on, and I’m grateful to share this honor with past recipients like Sylvia Fowles, Nneka Ogwumike, Swin Cash, and many others. All of these women demonstrated high levels of resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship on and off the court. It is truly an honor.”

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