The Sky’s first major free-agent signing of the offseason was a homecoming.
Guard Diamond DeShields re-signed with the Sky after two seasons away from the team. The Sky didn’t disclose terms of the deal, but a league source confirmed to the Sun-Times that DeShields signed an unprotected one-year contract worth $100,000.
The Sky drafted DeShields third overall in 2018 with the hope that she eventually would become their franchise player. She earned her only All-Star nod in 2019, a season in which she averaged 16.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals.
But the trajectory of DeShields’ career was altered when an MRI exam in 2020 revealed a tumor in her spinal cord that would require surgery. After the tumor was removed, leaving her with involuntary body spasms and tremors, she recovered away from the public eye.
Ann Crosby, the Sky’s vice president of basketball operations and their strength-and-conditioning coach, was just one member of the franchise by DeShields’ side throughout the ordeal.
DeShields returned to the court six months after the surgery but was a different player as she continued to deal with body tremors. She averaged 6.8 points in 13 games during the WNBA’s bubble season before leaving the team early, citing personal reasons.
In 2021, DeShields was a vital piece of the Sky’s WNBA championship team, averaging 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists while starting 22 of 32 regular-season games.
It wasn’t until more than six months after the Sky’s title that the extent of DeShields’ medical condition and rehabilitation were detailed in an ESPN program that aired a month after she was traded to the Mercury in a three-team deal.
The trade was a blow to DeShields, who had envisioned playing her entire career with the Sky. She averaged 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in one season for the Mercury before sitting out all of last season with a knee injury suffered after being traded to the Wings in a four-team deal that brought Marina Mabrey to the Sky.
DeShields’ return comes during an unstable time for the Sky. A year after former coach/general manager James Wade failed to re-sign any members of the Sky’s championship-winning core, first-year GM Jeff Pagliocca and the team pretty much have struck out in free agency.
After failing to sign top point-guard target Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Sky signed point guard Lindsay Allen, who spent the previous two seasons with the Lynx. Allen was the only free agent the Sky had signed this offseason until DeShields’ return.
DeShields has been documenting the rehab from her knee injury on social media and, according to her camp, is ready to go for the upcoming season and happy to be coming home.
‘‘They say if it’s meant to be, it’ll come back,’’ DeShields said in a statement. ‘‘Well, I’m back!’’
DeShields’ addition will make for a competitive training camp. Kahleah Copper is the only sure starter in the backcourt entering the season. While many might assume Mabrey also would be a lock to start, DeShields and Copper are a proven commodity together. Meanwhile, Dana Evans has proved she’s ready for a shot to start at point guard.
Also Monday, the Sky signed forward Taya Reimer to a training-camp contract.
