Getting "On the Beat" With the Chicago Sky

Founded in 2006, the Chicago Sky is a team in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Originally playing their home games at the UIC Pavilion, they now call Rosemont’s Allstate Arena their home.

The team has come a long way since their first season. NBA Hall of Famer Dave Cowens guided the team to a 5-29 record in their debut season. Bo Overton took over and led the team to a 14-20 mark in their second season. Steve Key took over and coached the team for three seasons, compiling a record of 42-60.

The Pokey Chatman era began in the 2011 season. Chatman, the most successful coach in the history of the Sky, was at the helm for six seasons, going 106-98 and leading the team to one Eastern Conference title.

The Sky started going through major changes in the 2016 season. In possibly the biggest trade in WNBA history, the Sky traded Elena Delle Donne to the Washington Mystics for Kahleah Copper, Stefanie Dolson, and the Mystics' #2 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. Delle Donne was not only very popular, but she also had accumulated an array of awards, including Rookie of the Year (2013), MVP (2015) and 3 All-Star selections. The offseason brought more change, as Amber Stocks was named coach for the 2017 season.

This new era in Sky history began about a week ago. The Sky is now 1-2 on the young season. Tonight (May 24), the Sky will be at home, hosting the Mystics, featuring former Sky star Delle Donne. The Chicago fans will give her a warm reception (and deservedly so), but it will quickly settle into a regular game and the fans will show their staunch Sky support.

Through the first three games, the Sky has been outscored by an average of 77.3-73. The Sky has an 11.3-10.3 edge in offensive rebounds and 28-27.3 in defensive rebounds. In steals, they trail 9.3-8, but lead in blocks 6.3-4. They are down 42-28.6 in field goal percentage, but lead 27.8-23.7 in three point shooting percentage. From the free throw line, they are 76.8% compared to 64.5% for opponents.

Individually, Cappy Pondexter leads the team in pretty much every category, except rebounds. Jessica Breland is the team leader in that category. The rest of the roster includes Tamera Young, Cheyennne Parker, Imani Boyette, Keisha Hampton, Amber Harris, Keisha Hampton, Makayla Epps and the previously mentioned pair from the Mystics, Dolson and Copper.

It is interesting and exciting time to be a Sky fan or to become one. The WNBA, like too many other women’s sports, is underappreciated, but once you check out a game, you are hooked. I know I am. I am happy to say that I will be reporting on the Sky on a regular basis this season. I hope to see you out at the Allstate this season for some Sky action.