Chicago Sky star point guard Courtney Vandersloot is reportedly looking elsewhere after the Sky made her a “disrespectful offer,” according to ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
The news was later confirmed by Annie Costabile of the Sun-Times, who added that UMMC Ekaterinburg is pursuing the option of paying the star to sit out of the 2022 WNBA season.
A league source confirmed Holly Rowe's report. UMMC Ekaterinburg is pursuing the option of paying Sloot to sit out of the 2022 WNBA season. https://t.co/HBTlR3gsUP— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) February 1, 2022
A league source confirmed Holly Rowe's report. UMMC Ekaterinburg is pursuing the option of paying Sloot to sit out of the 2022 WNBA season. https://t.co/HBTlR3gsUP
Vandersloot is an unrestricted free agent this offseason after helping the Chicago Sky to the 2021 WNBA Championship – the franchise’s first.
She was a key factor in the Sky’s final run, posting just the second triple-double in WNBA Playoff history in the Sky’s semifinal series against the Connecticut Sun. With 18 assists, she also set a new single-game playoff assists record, passing Sue Bird.
During the regular season, Vandersloot averaged 10.5 points, 8.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Vandersloot has been a member of the Sky since 2011 when she was drafted third overall by the team. A three-time All-Star, she has been the WNBA assists leader six times, including each of the past four seasons. She has also been the WNBA’s peak performer five times.
The Chicago Sky have been active this offseason, placing the core designation on and later signing 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper to a multi-year deal. They have also added 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman to the lineup. But free agent Stef Dolson opted to sign with the New York Liberty on a multi-year contract.
Vandersloot’s wife and teammate, Allie Quigley, is also a free agent this offseason.