Chicago Sky Weekly Update
Published on July 9, 2007 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
CHICAGO - Following back-to-back losses over the weekend - a close one to Washington at home on Saturday and a road loss to Eastern Conference leader Indiana - the WNBA Chicago Sky (8-10) will take on the defending WNBA Champion Detroit Shock (12-5), for the first time this season. The Sky will play in Detroit on Tuesday, July 10 at 6 p.m. CDT (broadcast on ESPN2) and at home two days later, on Thursday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at UIC Pavilion. Following Thursday's game, the team will be off until July 18 for the All-Star break.
WNBA President Donna Orender announced today that Sky forward Candice Dupree will play on the Eastern Conference team at the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game. This is her second year in the WNBA and her second year as an All-Star reserve. Dupree is the league's third most prolific scorer at the 2007 season mid-point, averaging 19.4 points per game, behind Lauren Jackson's 22.6 for Seattle and Seimone Augustus' 22.3 for Minnesota. She ranks fifth in the league in rebounds per game, averaging 8.2. This year's game will be played at 2:30 p.m. CDT at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, and will be broadcast on ABC.
Although the Sky lost a close game, 77-73, to the Washington Mystics (6-12) on Saturday, Chasity Melvin reached a spectacular career milestone during the game, scoring her 3,000th point and becoming just the tenth player in WNBA history to record 3,000 points and 1,500 rebounds. She needed 8 points to put her over 3,000 and finished well over the mark with 18. Candice Dupree led the team in scoring with 24 points and also recorded her sixth double-double of the season.
The team traveled by bus to Indianapolis after Saturday night's game, and played the Fever (13-4) less than 24 hours later on Sunday night, losing 70-86. Cathy Joens, who was re-signed by the team on July 5 after being released on May 23, had a team-high 16 points off the bench for the Sky. The Fever held Candice Dupree to 13 points and nine rebounds. Chasity Melvin added 11 points and Stephanie Raymond had 10 points off the bench. Although the Sky outscored the Fever in both the third and fourth quarters, they couldn't make up a 24 point first-half deficit. The Sky out-rebounded the Fever 37-35, and improved the team's free throw percentage to 84.2%.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sites/times are subject to change. Please call (312) 994-5984 to confirm schedule. All practices are open to media for the final half hour.
- Monday 7/9: Travel Day
- Tuesday 7/10: Chicago Sky @ Detroit Shock at 6 p.m. CDT. TV:ESPN 2; Radio:WVON 1690AM
- Wednesday 7/11: Practice at Solheim Center from 1-3 p.m.
- Wednesday 7/11: Coaches, Refs & Trainers Clinic from 6-8 p.m. at Solheim Center.
- Thursday 7/12: Chicago Sky vs. Detroit Shock at 7 p.m. at UIC Pavilion. Players and Head Coach Bo Overton will be available to speak with the media following the morning shootaround at UIC Pavilion from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., and after pre-game warm-ups from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Radio: WVON 1690 AM.
- Friday 7/13: All Star Break
- Saturday 7/14: All Star Break
- Sunday 7/15: WNBA All Star Game at 2:30 p.m. CDT at Verizon Center, Washington DC. TV: ABC
- Monday 7/16: Practice at Solheim Center from 6-8 p.m.
- Tuesday 7/17: Practice at UIC Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Post-practice travel to Indianapolis.
CALLING ALL COACHES, REFS & TRAINERS
The Sky will host a Coaches, Refs & Trainers Clinic on July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sky training facility at the Solheim Center, 930 N. Wells. The clinic will feature Sky coaching staff and trainers, and James Capers, Jr., 15-year NBA referee. Attendees will break into coaches/refs/trainer groups for sessions, then do a joint Q&A with all instructors. Sessions include: video scouting, chalk talk, pre-game strategy with players, practice drills, tips on making calls, communicating with players and coaches, keeping athletes on the court and treating injuries. Price is $30 and includes clinic, ticket to 7/12 game against the Detroit Shock at 7 p.m. at UIC Pavilion, and a Sky portfolio. Additional tickets to the game are $12. Call Shelli Anderson to register, at 312-994-5980 or email her at [email protected].
SKY ON NATIONAL TV
The Sky will play on national TV for the second time in franchise history and the first time this season; the game against Detroit at the Palace of Auburn Hills at 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 10 will be broadcast on ESPN2. The WNBA will also take center stage on ABC when the 2007 All-Star Game airs nationally at 2:30 p.m. CDT on Sunday, July 15.
ESPN2 VIEWING PARTY AT UNION PARK
The Chicago Sky will host a special viewing party at Union Park for fans ages 21 and older on Tuesday, July 10 at 6 p.m., to watch the team take on the Detroit Shock on ESPN2. Union Park is located at 228 S. Racine, on the corner of Jackson and Racine near UIC Pavilion. Sky fans can enjoy draft beer and Dos Equis bottles for $3 and $1 tacos. The Sky has reserveda section of the bar where fans will be able to gather and root the Sky to victory. Sky Guy will also be there, taking orders and helping cheer on the team.
OLD FOE RETURNS WITH SHOCK
Former Chicago Bulls foe Bill Laimbeer returns to Chicago, not in a Pistons uniform, but on the sidelines as head coach of the defending WNBA Champion Detroit Shock. Despised by Chicago basketball fans since the late 1980's, this time Laimbeer returns to take on Chicago's newest professional basketball team.
CHICAGO SKY AROUND TOWN
Live Chat: Sky forward Candice Dupree will participate in a live online chat with fans from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11. She will answer questions on the message boards at www.chicagosky.net about life in the WNBA and the Chicago Sky.
Discover Card Fan Lounge: Sky forward Brooke Wyckoff and a player from the Detroit Shock will meet with fans following the game at the UIC Pavilion on Thursday, July 12. Players will be available to greet fans, sign autographs and take photos after the game until 10 p.m. in the Skyline Club.
Julie Foudy Leadership Camp: Sky guard Stephanie Raymond will make an appearance at the Julie Foudy Leadership Camp, on Monday, July 16 at 1 p.m. at McDonald's Headquarters in Oak Brook. The week-long camp for girls ages 12-18 is led by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist soccer player Julie Foudy. Raymond will speak about her experiences with the Sky and in the WNBA, answer questions, take photos and sign autographs for campers.
Nothing But Nets Boot Camp: Sky forward Liz Moeggenberg will lead the kick-off ceremony to the Nothing But Nets Boot Camp on Monday, July 16 at 1 p.m. at the United Center. The WNBA and the NBA are founding partners of the United Nations campaign "Nothing But Nets," which is a grassroots effort to save lives by preventing malaria. Moeggenberg will also participate in activities and talk to the kids about the importance of health and global issues.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 9, 2007
- Catchings, Buescher Named WNBA Players of the Week - WNBA
- Fever Update - Indiana Fever
- WNBA All-Star Reserves Announced - WNBA
- Douglas, Jones Named All-Star Reserves - Connecticut Sun
- Taylor, Pondexter named 2007 WNBA All-Stars - Phoenix Mercury
- Alana Beard And Delisha Milton-Jones Named To WNBA All-Star Team - Washington Mystics
- Chicago Sky Weekly Update - Chicago Sky
- Rebekkah Brunson Named A Reserve For The 2007 WNBA All-Star Game - Sacramento Monarchs
- Lynx Guard Seimone Augustus Selected to 2007 Western Conference All-Star Team - Minnesota Lynx
- Sky Forward Candice Dupree Makes WNBA All-Star Team - Chicago Sky
- Sutton-Brown Named An All-Star Reserve By Eastern Conference Coaches - Indiana Fever
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