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Chicago Sky

Sky Veteran Stacey Dales Retires

April 5, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


CHICAGO, April 5, 2008 - The Chicago Sky announced today that veteran forward Stacey Dales is retiring from the WNBA. Dales announced her retirement today in a letter to fans on the Sky website at chicagosky.net. After two seasons with the Chicago Sky and three seasons playing for the Washington Mystics, Dales is hanging up her basketball uniform to concentrate on her promising career in sports broadcasting.

"I'm incredibly grateful for my opportunity with the Chicago Sky," said Dales. "Not only was I surrounded by quality peers, but I was associated with the best of management. Margaret Stender, Michael Alter, and the entire Sky staff care about their athletes and they are willing to work for what is right. I'm also thankful to the fans of Chicago -- not only did they support our developing franchise, but they have remained loyal throughout. I am confident that the Chicago Sky is moving in a direction that will provide great reward and ultimate success."

As a member of the team's first-ever starting lineup in 2006, Dales scored the Sky's first franchise field goal. In the 2007 season, she averaged 10.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. She shot .338 from beyond the three-point line and set the franchise record for most three-pointers in a game (7). She finished the season ranked 4th in the league in three-point field goals made (68). She finishes her career with an average of 9.2 points per game and a 35% three-point shooting average. She started in 131 of the 150 games she played in the WNBA.

"It's tough to see Stacey go," said Sky Head Coach and GM Steven Key. "She was one of the most skilled and passionate women basketball players to come around in recent years. Aside from her talent on the court, she will be missed for her caring and helpful manner. She was extremely helpful in assisting my transition from men's basketball into the WNBA. She is a unique individual who will go out of her way to assist a friend, and the team could always count on her for a good laugh when times were tough."

Dales will continue working for ESPN as a studio analyst for NCAAW basketball and a sideline reporter for the NBA, NCAA basketball, and NCAA football. She began working for ESPN in 2002 and that same year, USA Today's television columnist Rudy Martzke named her "Rookie Analyst of the Year" and "Best New Face" in 2004.

Dales was Washington's first pick (third overall) in the 2002 WNBA Draft out of Oklahoma. She averaged 9.3 points per game in three seasons with the Mystics, and named as a replacement to the 2002 WNBA All-Start Team. She retired at the end of the 2004 season, but decided to come back in 2006 and was a surprise and welcome addition to the Sky roster when Washington did not protect her in the 2006 Expansion Draft.

"Stacey has been a central part of the Sky organization for the past two seasons and we all wish her the best," said Chicago Sky President and CEO, Margaret Stender. "We were honored to have her end her previous retirement to join our team, and she has been a great contributor and team leader. The Sky family and fans will miss watching her on the court, but we look forward to following her success off the court."

A standout at the University of Oklahoma, Dales led her team to the 2002 NCAA Championship game. She was Oklahoma's first consensus All-American and was named to the Kodak, Associated Press and Women's Basketball Journal first teams. She represented Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games, the 2000 Summer Olympics, the 2001 FIBA Americas World Championship Qualification Tournament and the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament.

The Sky is one of seven independently-owned teams in the WNBA, the world's longest-running women's professional sports league. The Sky celebrated its inaugural season in 2006, and finished a successful sophomore season with a 14-20 record and guard Armintie Price named WNBA Rookie of the Year. The team will have the number two pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, which is expected to be one of the best rookie classes in WNBA history. For more information or to purchase 2008 season tickets, call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit www.chicagosky.net.

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