Latest news with #CourtneyVandersloot
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Courtney Vandersloot Reacts to Candace Parker's Chicago Sky Jersey Retirement
Courtney Vandersloot Reacts to Candace Parker's Chicago Sky Jersey Retirement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the Chicago Sky prepare to retire Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey on August 25, franchise legend Courtney Vandersloot is embracing her role in leading the next generation. Advertisement 'It was awesome to see. I just found out, too,' Vandersloot told RG. 'She's obviously a Chicago sports icon, a WNBA icon, and a legend. She's done so much for the game—she deserves it. I'm excited to be able to celebrate her and honor her.' Parker's résumé is among the most decorated in league history. A two-time WNBA MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and six-time All-WNBA selection, she won championships beginning with the Los Angeles Sparks, then followed by the Sky and Las Vegas Aces. In 2021, she helped deliver Chicago's first WNBA title, fulfilling her promise to bring a championship home. The two helped guide the Sky to their first WNBA championship in 2021. Now in her 15th season, Vandersloot is back in Chicago, both directing the offense and mentoring a young roster that includes Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. On Thursday, Vandersloot became the franchise's all-time leading scorer during a 97–92 win over the Dallas Wings. 'It took me a thousand years to do it, but it speaks to my commitment to the Sky—and their commitment to me,' she said. 'Passing Allie [Quigley] is special—she deserves the record. But she's glad it's me.' Aug 20, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) celebrates with forward Candace Parker (3) during the second half of Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Reese credited Vandersloot's steady presence for helping her and Cardoso find their footing. Advertisement 'She's one of the best point guards in league history,' Reese told RG. 'A lot of veterans might rush the process, but she trusts it and gives us a lot of grace.' Cardoso added: 'She's always early in the gym, stretching, doing extra work. She lifts us up.' With Parker's jersey set to rise and a young core developing, Vandersloot remains at the heart of Chicago's transformation, honoring the past while building toward the future. Related: Angel Reese Praised by Chicago Sky Teammate After Second Straight Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angel Reese Praised by Chicago Sky Teammate After Second Straight Win
Angel Reese Praised by Chicago Sky Teammate After Second Straight Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky won their second game in a row on Saturday, pushing them to a 2-4 record in the 2025 WNBA season. The 94-83 victory was also their first road win of the year. Advertisement Head coach Tyler Marsh has now won consecutive games for the first time in his young career, and the Sky are now tied with the Indiana Fever for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Ariel Atkins had another stellar game, scoring 26 points for Chicago. Courtney Vandersloot had a well-rounded performance as well, scoring 14 points in addition to seven rebounds and seven assists. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Chris Jones-Imagn Images 2024 WNBA All-Star Angel Reese also contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists. She was also productive on defense, adding three steals in the win as well. After the game, veteran post player Elizabeth Williams spoke to the media. She talked about Reese's growing ability as a passer and how it has helped the Sky win their last two contests. Advertisement "She's done a good job of having vision, sometimes being a relief for (Courtney Vander)sloot bringing the ball up because she gets pressured a lot," Williams said. "She's done a good job of just seeing where people are open and making good decisions." Reese averaged just 1.9 assists per game during her All-Rookie campaign in 2024, but that number has shot up to 2.8 per contest in 2025. She had five assists in the team's win over the Wings on Thursday, and she added another two on Saturday. Chicago's next game will be on June 7, which is the first matchup of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup. The Sky will take on the 2-4 Indiana Fever, who the team lost to 93 to 58 on opening day. Advertisement Related: Cameras Catch Angel Reese's Reaction After Scoring on DiJonai Carrington Related: WNBA Reacts to Angel Reese Pass During Sky-Wings Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angel Reese's Decision During Chicago Sky's First Win Catches Attention
Angel Reese's Decision During Chicago Sky's First Win Catches Attention originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky improved to 1-4 during the 2025 WNBA season after Thursday's win against the Dallas Wings. Not only was this the first win of the season for the Sky, but the first of head coach Tyler Marsh's career. Advertisement It was a well-rounded effort for Chicago, with Kamilla Cardoso scoring 23 points, Ariel Atkins adding 17, and Courtney Vandersloot chipping in 13. Vandersloot also became the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 3,728 points. Clinging to a 95 to 92 lead with just 29 seconds left to play, the Chicago Sky put together an incredible possession that resulted in a made pull-up jump shot by Atkins. This put the Sky up by five points with just 16.3 seconds remaining. After Vandersloot came off the ball screen and hit Cardoso on the roll, Cardoso found Angel Reese open underneath the basket. Instead of going up for a shot, Reese gathered the ball and found Rebecca Allen in the corner, who ended up getting the game-clinching assist. Advertisement Fans were divided on what Reese should have done in that situation. Given that there was just seven seconds remaining on the shot clock, plenty of people responded to the play by saying that Reese should have taken the shot. "Angel should've took that but good ball movement," one fan responded. "This was a beautiful play for sure. But in reality, Angel gotta go straight up," another fan said. "Bro yall keep saying run some clock like the shot clock not still in play," a fan replied. "By time Angel gotta the ball it was 7 seconds left on the shot clock." Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Reese still received a fair amount of praise for her decision to pass the ball out, however, as it ultimately led to a bucket that put the game out of reach. Advertisement "Nah angel didn't wanna mess up the game winning play which was smart," a fan replied. "Made the right pass." "She had two defenders in her face the second she touched the ball," one fan pointed out. "It was the right move." "There were FOUR opponents in the paint when AR had the ball," another fan added. "Kicking the ball out like this is going to end up giving her way more open looks." The Sky's next game is against the Dallas Wings once again, as the teams will complete a two-game series against each other. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST on Saturday. Related: DiJonai Carrington Had 8 Words for Paige Bueckers After Wings' Loss to Sky Related: Dallas Wings Announce Injury Update After Paige Bueckers News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Coach Faces Backlash for Angel Reese Decision Against Dallas Wings
Chicago Sky Coach Faces Backlash for Angel Reese Decision Against Dallas Wings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky secured their first win of the WNBA season on Thursday night after a sluggish 0-4 start, defeating the Dallas Wings 97-92. Advertisement Chicago played their most fluid game of the year, with contributions from multiple players. Kamilla Cardoso led the way with a career-high 23 points, while Ariel Atkins added 17 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Veteran Courtney Vandersloot, who recently became the all-time leading scorer in Sky franchise history, chipped in 13 points, nine assists, and five steals. One notable storyline was first-year Sky head coach Tyler Marsh's decision to play Angel Reese fewer minutes than three other starters. While the team secured a victory, many fans feel Reese is not being utilized to her full potential, as she is currently averaging just 9.2 points per game through the first five games of the season. Other fans have also reacted to Marsh's handling of Reese on Thursday night and throughout her second year in the WNBA. Advertisement "Angel Reese is quite literally the best rebounder in WNBA history and 'Tyler marsh' got her playing on the perimeter and getting zero touches like she's Deuce McBride," a fan said. Another fan posted, "I'm afraid Angel Reese is not in Tyler Marsh's plans or priority,he's got her there just setting screens..A5 Chicago sky is not your home gon head request that yourself & your development." Someone else added, "Tyler Marsh is such a bad coach for Angel and her development. The worse that they could've picked for her. I really feel for her." "Angel Reese sitting at just 19 minutes with 7:30 left in the game. In the two non-blowout games she played 32 and 34 minutes. Tyler Marsh appears to be, at least in this game, making the move to reduce her role," one more fan commented. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Reese continues to be a dominant force on the glass, averaging 13.0 rebounds per game, but it appears she's struggling to find her role in Marsh's offense alongside her teammates. Advertisement Last season, under Teresa Weatherspoon, Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, while shooting 39.1% from the field and 73.6% from the free-throw line. This season, her shooting has dipped to 31.3% from the field and 62.5% from the charity stripe. Related: Angel Reese's Behavior Toward Paige Bueckers Draws Attention After Chicago Sky's First Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
a day ago
- General
- Forbes
Paige Bueckers, Top Draft Pick, Now In WNBA Concussion Protocol
Paige Bueckers' WNBA career has been headed in the right direction after she was the Number One overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 Draft. But a head-to-head point guard battle with the Chicago Sky's Courtney Vandersloot on Thursday may have become literally head-to-head. That is what may have landed the Wings burgeoning star in the WNBA's concussion protocol for at least two games. The words 'may have become' apply here since it wasn't super clear at the time that Bueckers and Vandersloot had bumped heads forcibly enough to concuss Bueckers. The former UConn star point guard had grabbed an offensive rebound before driving to the basket with Vandersloot guarding her. During the drive is when the cranium-to-cranium contact may have occurred. The clue was when the Wings' point guard stayed grounded with her hands covering her face for a short moment after Vandersloot had been called for a foul. Bueckers did stay on the court playing after the play. So perhaps no one knew how hard her head had been hit. Bueckers ended playing 36 minutes in the game against the Sky, totaling with 15 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks. This continued the impressive six-game start to her pro career that's amassed per game averages of 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, two steals and one block and made her the first ever WNBA player to start off a career with at least 80 points and 40 assists over that game span. That has left her fifth in the WNBA league overall in assists. She's also the early leader for Rookie of the Year honors, positioned second in scoring, third in rebounding, first in assists, second in steals and tied for second in blocks among the first-year players. Plus, in the course of a victory over the Connecticut Sun on May 27, Bueckers became the first rookie since 2005 to tally at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game. You could say that she's been writing a new Paige in WNBA history. The length of Bueckers' absence will depend on how severe her concussion is. Concussions are a very common type of traumatic brain injury but encompass a wide range of possibilities. A concussion is when a blow or jolt to the head causes the brain rattle back and forth inside the skull, leading to the stretching and damage of brain cells, which in turn disrupts brain functioning in some way. These disruptions and the resulting symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, balance issues, sensitivity to light and noise and personality changes can last minutes to days to even weeks and months. It's already been determined that Bueckers will miss today's rematch against the Sky and the June 3 game against the Seattle Storm. The soonest she could return will be for the June 6 titlt against the Los Angeles Sparks. Any return will only be after sh's been cleared by physicians. This will include an interview and neurological exam to check for any remaining symptoms. A single concussion in most cases does not have any long-term negative consequences. However, that doesn't mean that you should try to quickly in the words of Taylor Swift shake it off and return to whatever you were doing whether it's playing a sport or head butting others. Residual symptoms could affect your reaction time and ability and thus leave you more susceptible to further injury like another concussion. Plus, multiple concussions is when you have to start worrying about more permanent changes in the brain and more serious effects. . While basketball players may not be at the same risk as football players (both types) and ice hockey players, it's important to remember that basketball can be quite the contact sport. A study published in 2022 in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine did find that from 1997 to 2020, a total of 70 concussions among 55 players were reported in the WNBA. This translated to an average of 2.9 per season. On average, players returned from concussions after missing 3.8 games and 17.9 days. Paige Bueckers will probably want to turn the page on this part of her career sooner than later. But she shouldn't rush it. After all, she'll have plenty of time to be the star WNBA player many feel that she will soon be.
