Chicago Sky chooses 13 players in expansion draft
November 16, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
Chicago-The Chicago Sky has chosen 13 players in the WNBA Expansion Draft. The well-rounded group includes veterans, younger players, and European stars. Stacey Dales-Schuman, a former All-Star with the Washington Mystics and a broadcaster for ESPN, is coming out of retirement to join the new team. "Having this much talent and experience available was a great surprise," said General Manager and Head Coach Dave Cowens. "The players we selected are the foundation upon which the Chicago Sky will be built. We were able to achieve a balance of experienced veterans and younger players position by position."
The list includes: Kiesha Brown, Stacey Dales Schuman, Deanna Jackson, Stacey Lovelace-Tolbert, Laura Macchi, Chelsea Newton, Bernadette Ngoyisa, Jia Perkins, Elaine Powell, Ashley Robinson, Detrina White, Brooke Wycoff and Francesca Zara.
"We have players like Brook Wycoff, who has played on two teams that went to th e league finals; Chelsea Newton, who has a championship ring after just one year as a pro. Add to that experienced players like Deanna Jackson, Elaine Powell, Stacey Lovelace and Ashley Robinson, who have all played on formidable teams. Lovelace has four seasons in the WNBA and has played in 5 different countries; Powell has playoff experience, and Dales-Schuman is a great shooter," Cowens said. "We wanted players who play an aggressive up-tempo style." said Cowens. "Defense that creates offense and fundamental teamwork were mandatory qualities. I also want athletes who have demonstrated discipline and a work ethic but know how to have fun, too. This is all about the love of the game. And if some of those intangibles aren't enough, I want players who are excited about coming to Chicago and helping us build something great. I think we got all these things and more." Each of the league's 13 teams was able to protect 6 players. The Sky was allowed to draft one unprotected player from each team. The rest of the roster will be filled out with free- agent signings in January and the college rookie draft in April. The Chicago Sky is the 14th team in the WNBA and is led by Cowens, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame. Play will begin in May 2006 at the UIC Pavilion and season tickets
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from November 16, 2005
- Storm guard Zara selected by Chicago in expansion draft - Seattle Storm
- Sun lose Brooke Wyckoff to Chicago Sky in Expansion Draft - Connecticut Sun
- Comets Kiesha Brown Among Chicago Sky Expansion Draft Selections - Houston Comets
- Sparks Macchi selected by Chicago Sky - Los Angeles Sparks
- Fever's Deanna Jackson selected by Sky in expansion draft - Indiana Fever
- Chicago Sky chooses 13 players in expansion draft - Chicago Sky
- Sky take Sun's Brooke Wyckoff in expansion draft - Chicago Sky
- Monarchs Chelsea Newton selected by Chicago Sky in expansion draft - Sacramento Monarchs
- Shock lose Powell to Chicago Sky in expansion draft - Detroit Shock
- Charlotte Sting lose Jia Perkins to Sky in expansion draft - Charlotte Sting
- Chicago Sky announces expansion draft selections - Chicago Sky
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