After a historic championship series, Chicago Sky will now seek to add parts to their already stacked roster. During the regular season, the Sky finished the season right at the.500 mark, with a 16-16 record. When you merged their record from the 2020 season, the Sky will pick 7th in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Before heading into the draft, Chicago will have to make some determinations about their roster as Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Kahleah Copper and Stefanie Dolson are all unrestricted free agents. While Diamond DeShields is a restricted free agent. If Chicago should give up some of their core, they will have to look at the draft to make up for some talent, they may give up.
Some college stars that the Chicago Sky could look at:
Rae Burrell
Standing at 6 ‘1, Burrell has been the Tennessee Lady Vol’s star athlete for the previous two seasons. She’s an SF but can move to that SG position. Burrell’s high-energy and defensive attitude would fit particularly nicely with the Chicago Sky.
The Sky, who prefers to run out in transition, fits right in with Burrell playing style of getting to the rim and running in transition. The only disadvantage about Burrell is that she has missed much of her senior season with a knee injury, despite the injury if she’s accessible at 7th, she’s an athlete the Sky can’t pass up on.
Destanni Henderson
Vandersloot is a free agent this year and if Chicago was to lose the veteran guard, they would have to look to the draft to locate a guard to run their offense for the forthcoming season and seasons to come.
Destanni Henderson could be that star for Chicago. The senior guard from South Carolina is averaging 12 points per game for the Gamecocks, and her ability to step out and shoot the three will also be a welcoming skill for Chicago.
If Chicago were to lose Sloot to free agency, they would ask Destanni to run a championship team as a rookie. But with veterans like Candace Parker already in Chicago to help navigate her, Henderson would be in good hands.
Evina Westbrook
This Redshirt Senior from UConn is what Chicago has been searching for, a guard to give Vandersloot some rest. If Sloot were to come back to Chicago, the Sky must provide her to rest during the game.
Westbrook could fill that void as she’s a pass-first guard but can still hit the big shots when called upon. For the Uconn Huskies, Westbrook is dishing out 4 assists per game along with 10 points per game.
Drafting Evina would also allow Dana Evans to switch to SG; where her 3 point shooting could be utilized more within Chicago’s offense. A young backcourt of Evans and Westbrook could certainly well be the future of the Chicago Sky.
Shakira Austin
Now the probability of Austin falling to 7th to Chicago is a lengthy shot. But crazier things have taken place in the WNBA Draft. Austin, who is a 6’5 Forward at Ole Miss, is averaging 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Austin’s versatility separates her from the other Forwards in this draft. She can beat you inside and out, with the passing capabilities of a guard. Sounds familiar, that’s because Austin is regularly compared to Parker. If Austin falls to Chicago to play alongside Parker, the WNBA better lookout.
The Sky will have several choices when they pick at No. 7 and whoever they take, we know, General Manager James Wade will make certain it’s a marvelous one.
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