Chicago Sky Offseason Update #2: Robyn and Sika Start with EuroLeague Wins
Check in with Parks and Koné's EuroLeague debut performances.
With just a few days having passed since the last update, Elizabeth and Marina still awaiting their European debuts, and the EuroCup yet to kick off, the Sky news from overseas is, at best, limited. In any case, let’s check up on how the two Sky players in EuroLeague action got on.
Robyn Parks — PF Schio — Won 70–50 vs. Lublin (Poland)
As expected, Schio delivered a comfortable opening victory over the Polish EuroLeague debutants. The Italian side didn’t rotate quite as much as over the weekend (Parks got 26 minutes) in the second half, but there was still some stats left on the table because of the comfortable margin of victory. In any case, Parks scored ten points including a couple of threes while also filling out the stat sheet nicely with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. The assists total doesn’t necessarily highlight it well enough, but a huge part of Parks’ contribution to her team’s opening victory was down to unselfishness. At least two of the three assists came on wide open looks seconds after she passed up a high-quality look of her own. Championship teams often highlight the importance of that extra pass, and there was also at least one pass Parks delivered to a teammate in the post that should have been an assist.
On the scoring front, Parks hit 2 of 5 threes with a clear focus from Schio’s coach Georgios Dikaioulakos on getting Parks (and the rest of his talented shooters) into spots to catch and shoot off of screens on the perimeter on a pretty routine basis. The Sky coaching staff openly stated their desire for Parks to vary her scoring game a little more in the W, (and it’s inherent that her increased usage for Schio will lead to different types of looks) but Parks can and should still do a lot of her damage from beyond the arc. The more pull-ups or drives (like the below) she can hit to complement that long range shooting will only further help her boost those scoring totals as the season goes on.
As the rest of the Schio squad around Parks takes shape, there’s a few names fans of the W will likely know. Dorka Juhász, formerly of UConn, is off the back of an all-Rookie season with the Lynx. She figures to be the type of young player who is using international play as an opportunity to take on a bigger role in hopes of sliding into that role at the W level in the near future. Arella Guirantes, to the contrary, is likely trying to parlay a strong season in Europe into a W return after brief stints with LA (2021) and Seattle (9 games in 2023). The former Rutgers standout led the team in shot attempts against Lublin and figures to be the team’s most ball-dominant player after averaging almost 15 a game in the EL last season.
Sika Koné — Perfumerias Avenida — Won 82–77 vs. Mersin (Turkey)
Given Mersin were finalists a season ago, this result came as a little bit of surprise, but I think everyone knows things would’ve been quite different had Mersin’s full roster (including Elizabeth Williams and Marina Mabrey) been present. That said, Avenida will take the result and move forward — especially given it could well help them avoid a difficult matchup when things reseed after the group stage. As for Sika’s involvement, it was — unfortunately — far more similar to that of Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final than the day before when she featured more considerably in the semi-final.
Mersin seemed to make a point of trying to switch her on to the ball handler in the pick-and-roll every time she was on the floor, and the results were — at best — mixed. Her eagerness in getting around the screens meant she never got caught but sometimes overextended. As a result, she picked up a couple of quick fouls and, on at least one occasion, opened a lane for the ball handler to get to the basket. As a coach of a talented team like Avenida, there’s a fine line between developing a talented young player and delivering results in a competition of such great magnitude. In that respect, I have some concerns that Sika might not get the chance to develop if games like this where she’s getting just 5 minutes become too common. If she’s not getting on court time in Europe, it’s just as difficult for the Sky to offer that time in the W next season.
That said, you could clearly see a couple of the veteran guards talking to Koné after the whistle following some offensive sets — with body language that suggested they were trying to teach not yell. Coaches often prioritize winning above all else (understandably) while most veteran players will usually be willing to offer guidance when they see a young player with Sika’s natural ability. Just like in Chicago, I think she’ll get chances to play because of her energy in practice and the learnings her teammates offer in those minutes could be crucial for her progression. As for teammates you’ll know, Bria Hartley (18 pts vs. Mersin) — a long-time WNBA vet — figures to be the player filling it up for Avenida most nights on the perimeter while Greek Vanderbilt graduate Mariella Fasoula (20 pts) will be the team’s biggest threat down low.
Because of the light midweek schedule and the bonus Monday update, this was an abbreviated overseas check-in. There’ll be far more to catch up on next Friday when we’ll recap all of the games below (all central time) including domestic action as well as EuroLeague (round 2) and EuroCup (round 1) play. You can tap in live by finding the best site to stream the different leagues in this article I wrote earlier in the season.
Marina Mabrey & Elizabeth Williams: CBK Mersin (debut dates: TBD)
Saturday 10/7 @ 8:00 AM: Turkish League vs. Bursa
Wednesday 10/11 @ 11:00 AM: EuroLeague vs. Landes
Alanna Smith: Emlak Konut
Sunday 10/8 @ 9:30 AM: Turkish League @ Izmit
Thursday 10/12 @ 12:30 PM: EuroCup @ Fribourg
Dana Evans: Beşiktaş
Sunday 10/8 @ 6:00 AM: Turkish League @ Cankaya
Wednesday 10/11 @ 11:00 AM: EuroCup vs. Slavia Banska
Sika Koné: Perfumerias Avenida
Saturday 10/7 @ 11:15 AM: Spanish League at Bembibre
Wednesday 10/11 @ 1:30 PM: EuroLeague vs. ESB Villeneuve
Morgan Bertsch: Spar Girona
Saturday 10/7 @ 10:45 AM: Spanish League vs.Barcelona
Wednesday 10/11 @ 1:30 PM: EuroCup vs. Dudelange
Robyn Parks: PF Schio
Saturday 10/7 @ 11:00 AM: Italian League @ Venezia
Wednesday 10/11 @ 11:00 AM: EuroLeague @ Sepsi
Taylor Soule: San Martino
Sunday 10/8 @ 11:00 AM: Italian League @ Faenza
For TV listings on all games, check out this post I wrote earlier this season.
