On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 05/06/2021

The Chicago Sky held an abbreviated media session today from training camp. It was Rookie Day, as Coach James Wade was joined by newcomers Sierra Campisano and Kobi Thornton.

Campisano and Thornton discussed the challenges of transitioning to the WNBA. All rookies face a tough situation, but the Sky have a tougher than usual camp, as they are loaded with talent.

Coach Wade addressed the issue of added depth for parts of the season when regular rostered players are not available. He also talked about the point guard battle, the team's first exhibition game on Sunday, working on team defense and Candace Parker.

Coach Wade laughed and stated I caught him off guard with a question about pressure coming from some predictions of winning the title. He gave a great answer, addressing the specific question, but also relating it to life.

He ended the session as he usually does, by reminding all to maintain social distance and to continue masking up. Coach Wade continues to impress me with his demeanor and attitude. I predicted a Sky title this season and I grow more confident in that every day.

As for forward Campisano, in her final season at Cal Poly, she averaged 15.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.1% from the field and 29.7% from beyond the arc. She also earned All-Conference First Team honors. Coming out of high school, she ranked as the number 14 overall recruit in the country. She started at the University of Oregon, before transferring to Cal Poly after two seasons. Last month, Campisano signed a training camp contract with the Sky.

Fellow forward Thornton starred at Clemson, where she shot 47.3% from the field and 22.2% from three point land during her four seasons there. She also averaged 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds for her career. She is one of only 15 players in program history to rach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. Thornton was selected by the Atlanta Dream in the third round of the 2020 WNBA Draft, but did not make the team.

Campisano and Thornton face an uphill battle to make the Sky roster. Minimally, they will serve as valuable players in camp, while also giving the coaching staff a chance to evaluate them for future signing in case of injuries or while other players are absent. There's still a chance they make the roster or impress another team enough to acquire them.

This Sunday, the Sky have their first exhibition game against the Fever in Indiana. The Sky open their season on Saturday, May 15 when the travel to Atlanta to face the Dream. 

For the interview session, go to Chicago Sky Media 05/06/2021. Go to WNBA.com for more info on the Sky and the WNBA. Check here for my recurring coverage, as well as on GlobalTravelerUSA.com, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and Patch.com.

On the Beat With Candace Parker of the Chicago Sky

Chicago area legend and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker signed with the Chicago Sky. This is the biggest free agent signing ever for the Sky and one of the biggest in Chicago sports history.

How big is it? Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot led off the “Welcome Home” press conference. I cannot recall a Chicago mayor ever joining the celebration of a sports player acquisition. 

Sky co-owners Michael Alter and John Rogers proudly and excitedly followed Mayor Lightfoot. They talked about bringing home one of Chicago's finest.

Next up was GM-Head Coach James Wade, who said “It’s indescribable to put into words what this moment means to our organization and to the city of Chicago. It’s an incredible story of a homecoming between a team striving to become a championship organization and one of the best players in basketball. Candace is someone who has meant so much to the game – and not just in L.A. or Chicago – her stature is truly unmatched. It says a lot about the strides we’ve made in the right direction and we believe Candace is the one who is going to take us to that next level.”

Finally Parker took center stage and wowed everyone with her eloquence, charm and enthusiasm. Parker talked of the decision as joining the Sky, not leaving the Sparks. She has no animosity towards her former organization. She simply added a new WNBA home. It was a decision based on coming home. She had not considered any other WNBA teams.

Parker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but her family moved to Naperville, Illinois when she was two. She was a star basketball player at Naperville Central High School, before going on to more success at the University of Tennessee. After red-shirting her first year, Parker played 110 games over the next four seasons, averaging 19.4 points per game. The Sparks selected her with the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft.

In 13 seasons with the Sparks, Parker has played 337 games (starting 333), while averaging 16.9 points, 3.9 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. She shot 48.2% from the field, 33.7% from three point land and 76.1% from the free throw line.

Along the way, she picked up several awards and achievements., including but not limited to the following:

WNBA Champion: 2016

WNBA Finals MVP: 2016

2× WNBA Most Valuable Player: 2008, 2013

5× All-WNBA First Team (2008, 2012–2014, 2017)

2× All-WNBA Second Team (2009, 2015)

2× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2009, 2012)

3× WNBA rebounding leader (2008, 2009, 2020)

2× WNBA peak performer (2008, 2009)

WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020)

WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)

WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008)

Turning 35 in April, Parker knows the bulk of her career is behind her, but she feels she has plenty left in the tank. She talked about other athletes keeping up high levels of performance at older ages, such as Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady playing in his 10th Super Bowl at the age of 43.

The whole press session simply felt warm and fuzzy. Obviously Parker wants to finish her career in her home city, surrounded by family and friends. She also wants to get back to great Chicago food, specifically mentioning Lou Malnati's, Portillo's and Giordano's. This brought one of the many laughs of the press conference.

Parker summed it up by saying, “Chicago is where my family raised me; where I first learned the game of basketball; and where I first fell in love with this orange ball. I am excited to continue the next chapter of my career where it all began. To my new teammates, my new organization, and my new fans: I’m home.”

Chicagoans are just as excited as Parker. Suddenly the Sky are the talk of the town. Parker Sky jerseys are being ordered. Sky tickets are being purchased. All as good in Skyland, because Parker has come home!

Check GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more of my WNBA coverage. Also, go to WNBA.com for more info on all teams and players.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 09/14/20

The Chicago Sky finished the WNBA regular season with a 95-88 win over the Dallas Wings. The Sky finished in first place In the Eastern Conference.

The Sky had lost four consecutive games and six of their last seven. During that skid, guard Diamond DeShields (personal reasons) and forward Azura Stevens (knee injury) left the team. The Sky also acquired forward Stephanie Mavunga from the Indiana Fever for center Jantel Lavender.

Despite their Eastern Conference first place finish, the Sky is seeded sixth for the WNBA playoffs, as conference standings do not figure into the equation. At 12-10, the Sky are ranked ahead of the Connecticut Sun (10-12) and the Washington Mystics (9-13). This sets up the first round single-elimination games tonight featuring the Sky facing the Sun and the Mystics battling the Phoenix Mercury (13-9).

In the media session on Monday, Coach James Wade, forward Cheyenne Parker and guars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley were upbeat and stressed the team simply had to play to their capabilities. While that is expected talk for a playoff team, it isn't merely lip service. Prior to their late season slide, the Sky was riding high at 11-4. They were battling for the top spot in the WNBA and were considered to be a real threat to the championship.

The Sky outscored the Sun 1,908 to 1,768. The Sky shot better from the field (49.1%-42.7%) and from 3 point territory (35.1%-31.2%). The Sun had an edge in steals (12.9-10.3) and rebounds (49.4-46.3), while the Sky led in assists (29.6-25.2). Overall. The Sky head into the game as 3.5 point favorites. I am predicting a Sky win 82-79.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league and the playoffs. Check back here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 08/11/20

I was back virtually "On the Beat" with the Chicago Sky from "the Wubble" in Bradenton, FL. Coach James Wade and players Kahleah Copper and Courtney Vandersloot took questions this session. I have already had the pleasure of talking to Coach Wade and Copper, but Vandersloot was new to me this season.

Coach Wade started by talking about the recent announcement of Kamala Harris as the Vice-Presidential candidate. Coach Wade then talked a bit about his haircut, keeping his barber's identity a secret, but assuring all that he is Covid-19 free. Coach Wade was in a much better mood than the last media session I attended, but the sting of questionable ref calls was not forgotten.

Copper talked about the quick turnarounds between games, how it affects her body and whather adjustments have been. A real athlete, Copper takes it in stride for the love of the game.

Vandersloot starred at Gonzaga before being selected by the Sky in the 1st round (3rd overall) in the 2011 WNBA draft. The 2x WNBA All-Star has played her entire career with the Sky. In nine seasons, she has played 271 games, averaging 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals and .4 blocks per game.

Vandersloot talked about the Sky programs within the communities. Like other WNBA teams, the Sky is very involve in social programs and social justice. She also answered my question about things she misses while in the bubble and also the best parts of being in the bubble.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league and the players. Also, check Johngy's Beat, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 08/03-04/20

After beating the Dallas Wings 82-79 last night, the Chicago Sky stand at 4-1. That's good for 1st place in the Eastern Conference of the WNBA. On Thursday, the Sky play the Phoenix Mercury, who are 3-2.
I sat in on two recent Sky Zoom media sessions this week. Coach James Wade and players Azura Stevens, Kahleah Copper, Sydney Colson and Cheyenne Parker took turns meeting the press.
Coach "Coco" Wade played college ball at Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga State C.C.and Kennesaw State, but went undrafted by the NBA. He played 13 years professionally overseas and started coaching as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs in 2012. He became an assistant with the WNBA Minnesota Lynx in 2017 and was named head coach of the Sky in 2019, leading them to a record of 20-14..
Forward Stevens played at UConn, before being selected by the Dallas Wings in the 1st round (6th overall) in the 2018 WNBA draft. After two seasons with the Wings, the second of which was shortened by foot surgery,, she was traded to the Sky. For her career, she has played 43 games, averaging 8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Forward Parker played college ball at High Point and Middle Tennessee, before being selected in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 2015 WNBA draft. In five seasons with the Sky, she has played 146 games, averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Guard Colson played for Texas A&M before being selected by the Connecticut Sun in the 2nd round of the 2011 WNBA draft. She was traded to the New York Liberty before the season. After one season with the Liberty, she did not play in the WNBA until 2015, when she signed with the San Antonio Stars. She played three seasons with the Stars, followed by a season with the Las Vegas Aces and one with the Lynx, before joining the Sky this season. For her career, she has played 148 games, averaging 3.5 points, 2.1 assists and 1 rebound per game.
Guard-forward Copper played for Rutgers, before being selected by the Washington Mystics in the 1st round (7th overall) in the 2016 WNBA draft. She played one season with the Mystics before being traded to the Sky as part of the Elena Delle Donne trade. For her career, in four seasons, she has played 131 games, averaging 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Go to WNBA.com for more info n the league. Also, go to GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage of the WNBA and all women's sports.