How Sky owner Michael Alter helped Courtney Vandersloot become team’s vocal leader

Courtney Vandersloot’s rise as the most dominant and well-rounded point guard in the WNBA has been impressive. But it’s her leadership that has seen the biggest growth during the last eight-plus seasons.

Vandersloot’s quiet and humble demeanor hasn’t changed since she turned pro in 2011. She has been that way since picking up a basketball at 5 because of her mother, Jan.

“She’s never been a fan of [being boastful], and she didn’t want me to ever be that,” said Vandersloot, who had eight points and eight assists in the Sky’s 89-79 victory Sunday against the Wings. “And so that was kind of how I was raised. I could be intense and emotional, but I never rubbed it in someone’s face. It was always about being respectful and just enjoying the game.”

Leadership is part of the job description as a point guard, but Vandersloot often felt like she couldn’t be a vocal leader because she wasn’t the most charismatic or the loudest player on the court. So she led by example.

But Sky owner Michael Alter recognized she was capable of more.

“In my conversations with her early on, she had this image of what a leader is or is supposed to be in her mind — that sort of rah-rah, dynamic personality,” Alter said. “I don’t think she ever felt like that was her and that wasn’t her personality, and she was never going to be like that.”

Alter did everything in his power to encourage Vandersloot to be more vocal on the court. At times, she pushed back on the idea, but Alter wouldn’t relent.

“Over the years to try [to make her a leader], I gave her the freedom to let her be who she is and realize that she can be who she is and still be an outstanding leader,” Alter said. “And I think that was really a proud moment for her.”

Vandersloot, the Sky’s longest-tenured player, is now the team’s glue. She sets the tone before every game.

“I feel like the way her personality is, [that’s] the way the team goes,” said guard Allie Quigley, who scored 12 points. “If she’s kind of, like, blah, we’re all going to be blah. But if she has energy and is fired up, then that’s how we’re going to be.”

Said guard Gabby Williams: “She just keeps us on track. She’s been doing this for so long, and she’s the best at what she does, so she just knows exactly what to say, what kind of energy to have. She reads situations and keeps us together.”

Williams has especially benefitted from Vandersloot’s guidance this season as she adjusts from being a power forward to her new role at point guard.

“The fact that she’s so easy to play with on the court, it makes my job really easy,” said Williams, who had five points and four assists. “I’m trying to ask her a lot of questions because she’s the best point guard in the world, so it’s the perfect opportunity for me to learn.”