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Chicago Sky and WNBA Sports

Here’s a look at your 2022 Chicago Sky

Despite the seriousness of the impending season and the line of questioning that came with it, Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and the rest of the Sky’s roster seemed to enjoy the afternoon of media.

By  Annie Costabile
   
SHARE Here’s a look at your 2022 Chicago Sky
(From left) Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Azurá Stevens pose for a portrait Tuesday afternoon at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield.

(From left) Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Azurá Stevens pose for a portrait Tuesday afternoon at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

The Chicago Sky’s title defending season tips off on Friday against the Los Angeles Sparks but not before the team hosted media day at Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield on Tuesday.

Sky coach/GM James Wade and his team fielded questions all day about what it will take to run it back and bring another championship to Chicago. Despite the seriousness of the impending season and the line of questioning that came with it, Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and the rest of the Sky’s roster seemed to enjoy the afternoon of media.

Masseny Kaba poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Masseny Kaba poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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(Clockwise from bottom left) Candace Parker, Allie Quigley, head coach James Wade, Azurá Stevens, Emma Meesseman and Courtney Vandersloot pose for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Candace Parker, Allie Quigley, head coach James Wade, Azurá Stevens, Emma Meesseman and Courtney Vandersloot pose for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Allie Quigley, left, and Courtney Vandersloot, center, react as Candace Parker spins a ball on her finger during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley, left, and Courtney Vandersloot, center, react as Candace Parker spins a ball on her finger during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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(Clockwise from bottom left) Courtney Vandersloot, Candace Parker, Azurá Stevens, Ruthy Hebard, Allie Quigley and Dana Evans pose for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Courtney Vandersloot, Candace Parker, Azurá Stevens, Ruthy Hebard, Allie Quigley and Dana Evans pose for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Courtney Vandersloot poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Courtney Vandersloot poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Azurá Stevens poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Azurá Stevens poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
7 of 29
Allie Quigley and Azurá Stevens chat during a photo shoot on media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley and Azurá Stevens chat during a photo shoot on media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Kaela Davis poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Kaela Davis poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
9 of 29
Allie Quigley, left, and Courtney Vandersloot spin balls on their fingers for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley, left, and Courtney Vandersloot spin balls on their fingers for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Allie Quigley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
12 of 29
Courtney Vandersloot poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Courtney Vandersloot poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
13 of 29
Emmanuelle Tahane, left, and Masseny Kaba chat with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Emmanuelle Tahane, left, and Masseny Kaba chat with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
14 of 29
Ruthy Hebard poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Ruthy Hebard poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Anneli Maley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Anneli Maley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
16 of 29
Masseny Kaba poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Masseny Kaba poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Courtney Vandersloot chats with people during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Courtney Vandersloot chats with people during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Sparkle Taylor poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Sparkle Taylor poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Dana Evans poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Dana Evans poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Kathleen Doyle poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Kathleen Doyle poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
22 of 29
Ruthy Hebard chats with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Ruthy Hebard chats with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Tina Krajisnik poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Tina Krajisnik poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
24 of 29
Candace Parker chats with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker chats with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
25 of 29
Emma Meesseman poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Emma Meesseman poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Head coach James Wade poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Head coach James Wade poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Allie Quigley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Emmanuelle Tahane poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Emmanuelle Tahane poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
29 of 29
Masseny Kaba poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Candace Parker, Allie Quigley, head coach James Wade, Azurá Stevens, Emma Meesseman and Courtney Vandersloot pose for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley, left, and Courtney Vandersloot, center, react as Candace Parker spins a ball on her finger during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Courtney Vandersloot, Candace Parker, Azurá Stevens, Ruthy Hebard, Allie Quigley and Dana Evans pose for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Courtney Vandersloot poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Azurá Stevens poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley and Azurá Stevens chat during a photo shoot on media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Kaela Davis poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley, left, and Courtney Vandersloot spin balls on their fingers for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Courtney Vandersloot poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Emmanuelle Tahane, left, and Masseny Kaba chat with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Ruthy Hebard poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Anneli Maley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Masseny Kaba poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Courtney Vandersloot chats with people during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Sparkle Taylor poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Dana Evans poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Kathleen Doyle poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Ruthy Hebard chats with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Tina Krajisnik poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Candace Parker chats with a reporter during media day at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Emma Meesseman poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Head coach James Wade poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Allie Quigley poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.
Emmanuelle Tahane poses for a portrait at the Chicago Sky’s practice facility, the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Tuesday afternoon, May 3, 2022.

Friday’s game marks the first time Parker will play against her former Sparks team since she departed Los Angeles for Chicago last February. It will also be 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman’s Sky debut.

Wade still has roster cuts to make ahead of the WNBA’s May 5 roster deadline date. The Sky’s roster currently has 14 players listed after Wade waived Kaela Davis, Tina Krasjisnik, Anneli Maley, Sparkle Taylor and Kysre Gondrezick on Wednesday. The Sky will play with 11 this season to fit within the salary cap.

The Sky’s six protected veteran contracts belong to Parker, Vandersloot, Quigley, Meesseman, Azurá Stevens and Kahleah Copper. Ruthy Hebard, Dana Evans, Julie Allemand and Li Yueru are on unprotected contracts but will be on Wade’s final roster. This brings the Sky to 10 rostered players, meaning Wade has the cap space to sign one more player for the season.

Without Copper, Allemand and Li here for the start of the 2022 season, the Sky will drop below the league required 10 available players once final training camp cuts are made. Dropping below 10 available players makes the team eligible for an emergency hardship exception, allowing them to sign players to replacement contracts.

It’s likely that the replacement contracts go to select players waived by Wade this week.

Waived players must clear a 48-hour window before they are able to sign a new contract. This means any of the five players waived Wednesday will be eligible to sign a new contract ahead of Friday’s season opener.

Once Copper, Allemand and Li arrive in Chicago, players who do sign replacement contracts will need to be waived.

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