Elena Delle Donne headlines Sky’s All-Decade team

The Sun-Times already laid out the five biggest moments that defined the Sky this decade. But who were the impact players from the last 10 years?

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2014 WNBA Finals - Game Three

Elena Delle Donne headlined the Sky’s All-Decade team.

The last decade for the Sky can be broken down into specific eras of players.

At the start of the decade, center Sylvia Fowles was the face of the franchise. Obviously, that changed when the Sky drafted forward Elena Delle Donne.

Though both players ultimately got their wish and were traded away, Courtney Vandersloot, the Sky’s longest-tenured player, has remained as a foundational piece.

The Sun-Times already laid out the five biggest moments that defined the Sky this decade.

But who were the impact players from the last 10 years?

Here’s what the Sky’s All-Decade team might look like:

Starters

Point guard Courtney Vandersloot

Vandersloot, the third overall pick in 2011, has played an important role this decade, helping the Sky to five postseason berths and one Finals appearance.

Last season, Vandersloot, the Sky’s all-time assists leader, became the first WNBA player to dish out 300 assists in a season. Her list of accolades over the last nine seasons include four WNBA Peak Performer awards for assists and two All-Star selections.

Shooting guard Allie Quigley

After spending the first five years of herprofessional career with four WNBA teams, Quigley found a longtime home with the Sky in 2013. Since then, the Joliet native and DePaul alumna evolved from role player to starter.

Quigley helped the Sky to the Finals in 2014 and was subsequently named the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year. She received the award again the following season. After taking on a larger role, Quigley became a three-time All-Star and led the Sky in points in 2017 and 2018.

Small forward Diamond DeShields

After years of the three spot being a revolving door, with even Elena Delle Donne taking minutes at the wing, the Sky drafted DeShields third overall in 2018.

DeShields added stability to the Sky’s lineup the last two seasons. And after two down years, she helped get them back into the playoffs last season.

DeShields has averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in the WNBA. Looking ahead, she possesses MVP potential — that is if she can learn how to become more consistent.

Power forward Elena Delle Donne

Delle Donne, the second overall pick in 2013, rose to stardom with the Sky and became Chicago’s most recognizable female athlete. After being named Rookie of the Year in 2013, Delle Donne won her first — and the Sky’s only — MVP award in 2015.

Delle Donne led the Sky in scoring in each of her four seasons with the Sky, averaging 20.5 points. She also helped the Sky to four consecutive postseason appearances.

Center Sylvia Fowles

Before Delle Donne, there was Fowles, who helped lay the groundwork for the Sky’s playoff runs.

Fowles led the Sky in scoring and rebounding for the first two years of this decade. She also earned two Defensive Player of the Year honors and an All-Star selection before she forced a trade to the Lynx in 2015.

Reserves

Epiphanny Prince

Quigley narrowly beat Prince out for a starting spot on our All-Decade team. Prince averaged 14.1 points over five seasons and earned two All-Star nods with the Sky.

Cappie Pondexter

Pondexter played three seasons with the Sky toward the end of her legendary career, averaging 12.5 points.

Tamera Young

Alternating between starter and leader of the bench unit, Young averaged 7.3 points and 3.4 rebounds over nine seasons.

Jamierra Faulkner

Faulkner flashed aggressiveness and confidence in her first three WNBA seasons, but back-to-back anterior cruciate ligament tears slowed her momentum.

Swin Cash

Cash played two seasons with the Sky toward the end of her prolific career. In 2013, she helped the Sky make their first playoff berth.

Jessica Breland

The Sky signed Breland as a free agent before the 2014 season. During her four seasons with the Sky, she contributed to three playoff runs.

Stefanie Dolson

Dolson doesn’t quite maintain the inside presence Fowles once did. She had her best season in 2017 when she made her only All-Star appearance.

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