Chicago Sky sign guard Hind Ben Abdelkader

SHARE Chicago Sky sign guard Hind Ben Abdelkader
skymain_cst_031919_e1552967485905.jpg

The Sky announced Monday that they signed guard Hind Ben Abdelkader. Terms of the contract weren’t released in accordance with the team’s policy. | Icon Sportswire via AP

The Sky added point-guard depth Monday when they signed Hind Ben Abdelkader. Terms of the contract weren’t released.

Ben Abdelkader, 23, struggled in her rookie season last year with the Indiana Fever. She averaged just 2.1 points, 0.8 assists and one rebound in 14 games.

She shot a woeful 18.6 percent from the field and 20.7 percent from the three-point line.

After leaving the Fever on July 1, Ben Abdelkader returned to Europe, where she excelled. The 5-8 guard averaged 19.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals with Hatay of the Turkish League.

General manager and coach James Wade, who replaced Amber Stocks in November, believes Ben Abdelkader will give the Sky “added security” at point guard.

“She’s had competitive years in EuroLeague and has played well in Turkey, which made us take notice,” Wade said in a statement.

Wade previously told the Sun-Times that part of the reason the Sky struggled last season is because the “connection wasn’t there.” He also said the team lacked an offensive identity.

Wade believes Ben Abdelkader can help the Sky find that identity.

“She has an aggressive rhythm, which is a nice change,” he said.

Wade also praised her ability to space the floor.

The Sky already have a guard-heavy roster that features Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Diamond DeShields.

The Sky will get their first look at Ben Abdelkader when training camp opens May 5.

The Sky also own the fourth pick in the WNBA Draft on April 10.

RELATED

GM/coach James Wade adamant team isn’t rebuilding

UChicago Medicine to be presenting sponsor of Sun-Times’ Sky coverage

Ben Abdelkader, a native of Brussels, Belgium, has played a significant role on Belgian national teams since she was 16.

She was named the MVP of the Under-16 European Championships in 2011. She averaged five points in one college season at Cal in 2013-14 before leaving to play professionally in

Europe.

The Latest
The man was found unresponsive in an alley in the 10700 block of South Lowe Avenue, police said.
The man suffered head trauma and was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.
Another federal judge in Chicago who also has dismissed gun cases based on the same Supreme Court ruling says the high court’s decision in what’s known as the Bruen case will “inevitably lead to more gun violence, more dead citizens and more devastated communities.”
Women make up just 10% of those in careers such as green infrastructure and clean and renewable energy, a leader from Openlands writes. Apprenticeships and other training opportunities are some of the ways to get more women into this growing job sector.
Chatterbox doesn’t seem aware that it’s courteous to ask questions, seek others’ opinions.