Latest news with #Vandersloot
Chicago Tribune
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Kamilla Cardoso scores a career-high 27 points as the Chicago Sky rallies past the Los Angeles Sparks 97-86
Kamilla Cardoso scored a career-high 27 points, Angel Reese had a double-double and the Chicago Sky beat the Los Angeles Sparks 97-86 on Tuesday at Wintrust Arena. Reese finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Ariel Atkins scored 13 points for the Sky (4-10). The Sky took its first lead, 74-72, at 7:23 of the fourth quarter on a driving layup by Cardoso and outscored the Sparks 30-17 in the final period. Azura Stevens scored 21 points and Kelsey Plum added 20 for the Sparks (4-11), who lost their fourth straight. Dearica Hamby had 15 points and Rickea Jackson 11. Cardoso followed her tiebreaking basket with a short jumper, and moments later added a free throw to make it 77-72, and the Sky's lead increased from there. Cardoso will miss the next four games playing for her Brazilian national team at a tournament in Chile. The Sparks took control early, jumping out to a 10-2 lead in less than 90 seconds and had a 27-17 advantage after one quarter. The Sky cut the deficit to 31-28 early in the second quarter before the Sparks surged again, going up 44-32. The Sky rallied again, getting within 48-42 at halftime. In the closing minutes of the third quarter, Rebecca Allen hit a 3-pointer and a runner, tying the score at 65 and 67, but the Sky never led. Plum's basket in the last minute of the third gave the Sparks a 69-67 lead heading into the fourth. Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, the team announced on Tuesday. Vandersloot suffered the season-ending injury in the Sky's 79-52 loss to the Indiana Fever on June 7. She had the operation at Rush University Medical Center. A five-time All-Star, Vandersloot averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 assists in seven games. The 5-foot-8 point guard was selected by the Sky with the third overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft and helped lead them to the championship in 2021. She spent the previous two seasons in New York and helped the Liberty win the WNBA title last year before returning to Chicago this season.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Courtney Vandersloot's season-ending injury draws support from Angel Reese, WNBA players
The post Courtney Vandersloot's season-ending injury draws support from Angel Reese, WNBA players appeared first on ClutchPoints. Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot has been in the WNBA since 2011 and there are few players in the league who have more respect from her peers. So when she went down with a season-ending ACL injury over the weekend, players around the league showed their support. Advertisement Her teammate, Angel Reese, shared a prayer hands emoji Sunday night once the news broke. Second-year Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards posted via X, 'Sending love to my sis @Sloot22 🙏🏾🫶🏾', just hours after Washington defeated the Connecticut Sun. Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings chimed in with 'Dang… praying for you @Sloot22 !!! 🙏🏽🥰.' For the Sky, who are just 2-5, losing Vandersloot is a crucial blow. She was the team's third-leading scorer in the early part of the season, putting up 10.6 points with a team-best 5.3 assists per game. Rookie Hailey Van Lith will surely have to step up the rest of the way. Though she hasn't contributed much this year, she made an impact on Saturday against the Fever, playing 26 minutes and scoring seven points. Liberty still hope to celebrate Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Next up for the Sky is a trip to Brooklyn to face the New York Liberty on Tuesday. The plan had been for New York to honor Vandersloot, who played there in 2023 and 2024, by presenting her with her 2024 championship ring. But with the injury so recent, it's still not clear if she will travel with the team this week. Advertisement 'We're just more thinking of her, and hopefully she's okay,' her former coach, Sandy Brondello, said Sunday, per Myles Ehrlich of Winsidr. 'We'd like to celebrate her.' Vandersloot was part of the massive haul Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb brought in prior to the 2023 season that led the team to consecutive WNBA Finals appearances, along with Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Though she played crucial roles on both squads, she saw a diminished role in the 2024 playoffs as Brondello moved her to the bench. When free agency came, Vandersloot decided to return to Chicago, where she spent the first 12 seasons of her career. Related: Jeff Teague drops 'Dennis Rodman of the WNBA' Angel Reese take Related: Courtney Vandersloot to miss remainder of season with ACL injury
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sky's Angel Reese breaks silence on Courtney Vandersloot's ACL injury
The post Sky's Angel Reese breaks silence on Courtney Vandersloot's ACL injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Chicago Sky suffered a crushing 85–66 loss to the New York Liberty at Barclays Center, falling to a 2–6 record. The team continues to struggle after losing two-time WNBA champion Courtney Vandersloot, who tore her ACL in the first quarter of a 79–52 blowout against the Indiana Fever. Angel Reese broke her silence regarding losing Vandersloot to injury. Advertisement In the aftermath, All-Star rookie Angel Reese spoke publicly about Vandersloot's injury. 'It's super unfortunate,' she said. 'She works really hard, was a great leader for us, and she's continued to be that for us.' Reese added, 'She's done so much for our game and decided to leave a championship team, come to Chicago, and leave her legacy here.' From the beginning of her career, Vandersloot made an immediate impact. The Sky drafted her third overall in 2011, and she quickly secured the starting point guard role. She earned All-Star recognition and a spot on the All-Rookie Team during her debut season. In 2014, she helped lead the Sky to their first WNBA Finals appearance, though they lost to Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury. Vandersloot's standout moment came in 2021 when she led Chicago to its first WNBA title, ironically by defeating the Mercury. After spending ten seasons in Chicago, Vandersloot signed with the New York Liberty. In 2024, she helped the team win the championship in an overtime thriller against the Minnesota Lynx. The following year, she returned to the Sky, bringing back her leadership and experience. Advertisement Over her career, Courtney Vandersloot has solidified her place among the league's best point guards. She earned five All-Star selections (2011, 2019, 2021–2023) and led the WNBA in assists seven times. In 2020, she set a league record with 10.0 assists per game. She also holds the WNBA records for career assists per game and total playoff assists. So far this season, the Sky have struggled to find their rhythm. They dropped four of their first five games, suffering blowout losses to Indiana (93–58), New York (99–74), and Los Angeles (91–78). Their closest call came in a 94–89 loss to Phoenix. Afterward, they briefly rebounded with two wins over the Dallas Wings. However, back-to-back defeats to the Fever and Liberty pushed them back down the standings. Next, Chicago will face the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena. Atlanta, currently 6–3, sits just behind New York in the standings. With the season on the line, can Angel Reese provide the spark the Sky need? Related: Sky's Angel Reese comes through with off-court assist for Holly Rowe Related: Coco Gauff's 'insane' reaction to frenzied ovation at Liberty vs. Sky game
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Allie Quigley announces ‘Irish Goodbye' retirement
The post Allie Quigley announces 'Irish Goodbye' retirement appeared first on ClutchPoints. Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley were a match made in heaven for the Chicago Sky, on and off the court. Unfortunately, Vandersloot is out for the season due to a torn ACL she sustained last Saturday against the Indiana Fever. Advertisement On top of that, her better half Quigley's career has come to an end in a formal essay she wrote, per The Player's Tribune. Quigley's essay, entitled 'Irish Goodbye,' describes her pursuit of retirement as being in keeping with a particular cultural tradition. 'You know that phrase, 'Irish goodbye'? Where you're at a party or something, and you just kind of….. leave, quietly, without making a big thing of it?' she wrote. 'Well, I heard someone say recently that I pulled an Irish goodbye on the W. That made me laugh.' She hinted that after the 2021 Sky championship season, she was getting closer to retirement. Quigley took the 2023-2025 seasons off to prioritize motherhood. She and Vandersloot welcomed a baby girl named Jana Christine on April 8. In the essay, Quigley thanked everyone vital to her and instrumental in her career. She thanked her mother and her hometown of Joliet, Illinois, for being her foundation. Advertisement Furthermore, Quigley thanked Ann Meyers Drysdale, who brought her onto the Phoenix Mercury during her rookie season in 2008. She gave props to her Sky coaches, Pokey Chatman, Amber Stocks, and James Wade. Quigley then concluded by thanking the Sky organization, the fans, the WNBA, and certainly Vandersloot. She played 14 seasons in the WNBA with the Sky, Mercury, Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever, and San Antonio Silver Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces). However, her career blossomed when she was in Chicago. Allie Quigley's impact on the Chicago Sky Quigley joined the Sky in 2013. For ten seasons, she became one of their best shooters and scorers. At one point, Quigley was the all-time leading scorer in franchise history with 3,723 points. Advertisement A record that Vandersloot eclipsed against the Dallas Wings on May 29. Also, Quigley was a catalyst for the Sky's improbable title run in 2021. She averaged 13.2 points per game and made 45% of her three-point shot attempts. Undoubtedly, Quigley became a fan favorite in Chicago. She was heralded for her role as a leader and mentor. Related: Jeff Teague drops 'Dennis Rodman of the WNBA' Angel Reese take Related: Courtney Vandersloot's season-ending injury draws support from Angel Reese, WNBA players
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Courtney Vandersloot and Wife Allie Quigley Make Major Mother's Day Announcement
There's no doubt Mother's Day this year has been extra tough on Chicago Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot. Sloot lost her mother, Jan, who passed away last June after a two-year battle with cancer. The loss resulted in Vandersloot briefly stepping away from the New York Liberty last year, and may have contributed to her diminished role in the second half of the season. Advertisement The first Mother's Day after her passing has to be incredibly difficult, but this year it comes with even more emotions for Vandersloot and her wife - three-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Sixth Woman of the Year Allie Quigley - after the pair welcomed their first baby together, as announced on social media via PEOPLE. "We are over the moon to welcome our baby girl to the world," Vandersloot and Quigley, affectionately known as "the VanderQuigs," tell PEOPLE. "We have been dreaming of this moment for a long time, and it's better than we could have ever imagined!" Vandersloot and Quigley have been together nearly ten years, officially tying the knot in December of 2018 - which is also when they first revealed their relationship publicly. Advertisement Vandersloot, 36, is back in Chicago where she spent the first 12 seasons of her WNBA career, leading the Sky to a championship in 2021 alongside Quigley - becoming the first married couple to win a professional sports championship together. The former Gonzaga icon will look to rebound from a tough 2024 season while mentoring the litany of young talented players on the Chicago roster, including rookie guard Hailey Van Lith and second year post players Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Related: Fever's Lexie Hull Left Impressed by Dream's New Guard
