Courtney Vandersloot will not return to the Chicago Sky, the free agent guard announced Tuesday on social media.
Vandersloot, who will turn 34 on Feb. 8, was a four-time All-Star in 12 seasons with the Sky. She was part of Chicago’s WNBA championship squad in 2021.
The Sky selected Vandersloot with the third overall pick in the 2011 draft, and she was named an All-Star as a rookie. Her other All-Star selections came in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
In a social media post topped by the message, “I love you, Chicago,” Vandersloot wrote, “To the Sky organization, who drafted the little guard from a mid-major and believed in me from the jump, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have realized my dreams because of you.
“Although I never planned for this day to come, I have decided it is time for me to pursue a new beginning. I will forever be grateful for the memories I have made during my time here. As I look ahead to a new chapter, with a new team, in a new city, know that Chicago, its fans, and the Sky organization will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s goodbye for now, but thank you forever.”
I love you, Chicago.pic.twitter.com/U4FcMcBSmq
— Courtney Vandersloot (@Sloot22) February 1, 2023
Vandersloot’s exit from the Sky follows that of star forward Candace Parker, who agreed to join the Las Vegas Aces on a free-agent deal last weekend. Chicago guard Allie Quigley, Vandersloot’s wife, is also a free agent.
Vandersloot averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 32 games, all starts, last season. Over 359 career games, including 328 starts, she has averages of 10.2 points, 6.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds.
–Field Level Media