Jeremiah Griffith 
As many know, the WNBA free agency has taken the world by storm, and the Chicago Sky have been on many headlines, losing notable players like Candace Parker to Las Vegas Aces, Courtney Vandersloot to New York Liberty, and Azura Stevens to the Los Angeles Sparks.
While losing some major talent, they’ve also gained respectable players who will be noticed. In a four-team trade, while giving up four draft picks, the Sky acquired an all-star level player in Marina Mabrey from the Dallas Wings.
They also picked up Izzy Harrison, a key signing, as she complements Kaleah Copper perfectly with her intensity on the ball and ability to stretch the floor with her length.
In addition to Harrison, the Sky gets Courtney Williams, an electric guard who can score from anywhere on the court and put up points quickly. Last season with the Connecticut Sun averaged 11.1 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from the three-point line.
Chicago Sky Head Coach and General Manager James Wade spoke on the decision to give up four picks for Mabrey and what he expects from the team moving forward. “I know what she does, and I know what she brings to the table,” Wade said of Mabrey. “So that’s who we’re going to rock with. I understand that the ’23 and ’24 draft picks can be great players.”
Wade also stated, “I’m not planning on F–ing losing.” He believes in the team he has crafted over the last few months and noted that the risks he took this offseason were well-calculated.
Harrison and Williams also spoke on their transition to the team and things everyone can expect from them this year as they noticeably lack firepower. “Whoever made a decision to leave, that is on them and I’m glad it opened up the door for me and [Courtney Williams] to come in and do something special and new in Chicago,” Harrison said. “Like [Courtney Williams] said, we play against these guys all the time and whoever might have whatever name attached to them…we still know how to play and I’ve played against every player in the league and done well.”
While the team is not as sharp on paper, it seems as though coach Wade and his new signees have some pretty optimistic outlooks on the season as they lean on their star, Copper, to lead the team moving forward.
By Jeremiah Griffith, Senior, Noble Academy
Instagram: jg_zero23
True Star Media’s content is made possible thanks to donors like you. To support the voice and perspective of youth, donate at elevate.truestarfoundation.org.
