Cheyenne Parker reflects on career-best season: ‘I definitely have much further to go’

There’s no doubt in coach James Wade’s mind that Cheyenne Parker has a bright future ahead of her.

The question now is what he will have to do to bring the free-agent forward back next season.

Fresh off a career year, Parker’s stock never has been higher. She proved herself as a starter while helping carry the Sky’s frontcourt after the team’s depth shriveled up because of an injury to Stefanie Dolson and the midseason departures of Azura Stevens and Diamond DeShields.

In 20 games, Parker posted career highs in points (13.4), rebounds (6.4) and steals (1.3). She also shot a career-best 55.4% from the field and made 46.9% of her 32 three-pointers.

Wade always has seen the potential in Parker, the first player he re-signed when he became the Sky’s general manager after the 2018 season. That’s why it’s not surprising that he plans to be aggressive in pursuing her this offseason.

‘‘Cheyenne is an important piece for us going forward,’’ Wade said. ‘‘She’s shown throughout the season that she’s a starter in this league, that she can be our center going forward.’’

Wade told Parker something along those lines in his exit interview with her last month. His support and confidence makes her want to be better.

‘‘What it means to me is that I have work to do, I have to continue to get better, never be complacent and embrace it,’’ Parker said. ‘‘I’m excited to have an important role for the Sky because I’ve been with the Sky since the beginning, and it’ll mean a lot to be a big part of this team and leave a big impact.’’

Does that mean she wants to return to the Sky for her seventh season?

‘‘Yeah, for sure,’’ Parker said. ‘‘It’s not anything that crossed my mind, leaving the Sky. I love this organization, I love the coach, the team, the players. You’re gonna have to ask me to leave. That’s what it’s gonna take [for me to go].’’

Parker’s loyalty comes as little surprise to anyone who knows her rags-to-riches story. The Sky were the only WNBA team to interview Parker after she was kicked off her college team for failing a drug test just two months before the 2015 draft.

After the Sky picked her fifth overall, she struggled in her first three seasons, averaging just 3.3 points and three rebounds.

Since then, she has spent the last three seasons establishing herself as one of the WNBA’s up-and-comers.

Parker’s grit and work ethic are among the traits Wade admires.

‘‘We like playing to Cheyenne, and when she’s engaged, it’s really tough to guard her for anyone,’’ Wade said. ‘‘Now it’s about her being consistent and knowing that we’re going to demand a lot from her every night, and that’s how you make an All-Star.’’

Parker called her 2020 performance ‘‘decent.’’ She plans to expand her skill set this offseason while playing for French club Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration.

‘‘I definitely have much further to go,’’ Parker said. ‘‘But I think that it was a step in the right direction. . . . I just want to be better all the way around. I just have to have an emphasis on whatever it is we’re doing, whether it’s scouting a certain position or being able to guard. A lot of times, the best player is the forward position, so I want to be able to be that person that James can rely on to guard that position and get it done.’’