Chicago Sky Offseason Update #21: Moving Day(s)
The Turkish League returns with a fury of action as the rest of the Sky's overseas stars prepare for the playoff push.
The Turkish league’s crowded calendar means that each of the Sky players there faces a weekend doubleheader immediately after the recent FIBA Olympic qualifying break—with the first of those games being played on Thursday. Before the rest of the weekend action from across the world starts later today (check back next week for coverage of those games), let’s dive into how the Sky’s stars fared in Thursday’s quadruple header in Turkey and get up to speed on where each of the Chicago players—including the new arrivals in the Kahleah Copper trade—and their respective teams are at as they prepare for the stretch run of the overseas season.
Marina Mabrey & Elizabeth Williams (CBK Mersin — Turkey)
Mabrey and Williams came out of the international break with their foot on the gas—contributing to 17 of their side’s first 20 points. With Mersin up 16 halfway through the opening period, the rest of the game was essentially a formality as Mersin steadily built a lead which allowed their two stars to rest for the entirety of the final quarter. Mabrey did most of her damage from behind the arc, but her efficiency (5/9 3PT) from there meant it could have been a much bigger scoring night (17 p) had she played more than 19 minutes. Williams got a slightly larger share of minutes (22) and delivered the productivity she’s offered so regularly for both Mersin and the Sky over the last 18 months—tallying 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block. Mersin’s return to EuroLeague play (and Kahleah Copper’s arrival) should allow for a much better measure of how they stack up when it comes to winning titles, but a refreshed performance from a well-rested Mersin moves them to 14-9—good for 6th in the Turkish league.
Dana Evans & Li Yueru (Beşiktaş — Turkey)
Dana & Li have each had numerous impressive individual games this season, but Thursday’s game against Galatasaray felt their most cohesive showing yet as they assisted several of each other’s baskets and formed a dominant pick and roll duo. The aggressiveness of Evans (22 p, 6 a) and other perimeter players like Mihaela Lazic allowed Li to easily score (29 p, 12/15 FG) from dump offs at the rim on a number of occasions while Jovana Nogić (28 p, 6/9 3 PT) ensured Beşiktaş had a healthy outside presence as well. Beyond the eye-catching numbers (team shooting splits of 53/48/100), Beşiktaş—who entered the game fifth in the league at 14-7—picked up a crucial win over Galatasary (who came in 3rd). While the win didn’t move them up the standings yet, they can now jump all the way into third (just one game behind 2nd) with a win in their game in hand. Beyond their impressive league form, Beşiktaş can also look forward to a EuroCup quarterfinal against Montpellier—set to begin next Thursday (2/22).
Lindsay Allen & Taya Reimer (Botaş — Turkey)
In a game that will likely play a large role in deciding who makes the playoffs, Botaş looked like they were going to fall flat—trailing by as many as 16 to Emlak in the first quarter. However, Allen’s dazzling performance in the second quarter allowed her side to flip the script and level the game at 38 going into half. From then on, Botaş looked in control for the remainder of the game with Allen central to everything they were able to do at the offensive end. The veteran point guard finished with 16 alongside 9 assists and 6 rebounds with her aggression going to the basket particularly key to the comeback. Botaş routinely got open threes as a result of her collapsing drives—helping them quickly cut into the deficit and, later, maintain their lead. Reimer—despite an off shooting night and early foul trouble—chipped in across the board with 4 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The win moves Botaş (10-12) just a half game back of Emlak (10-13) in the race for the final playoff spot.
Michaela Onyenwere (Ormanspor — Turkey)
Onyenwere delivered her third best scoring output of the season on Thursday—finishing with 29 points on great efficiency (11/17 FG). However, her most important contributions came at the defensive end where she did a more than serviceable job of slowing down Dearica Hamby in the final quarter of what had been a 79-79 game and wound up a 102-87 win. While I wouldn’t expect to see Onyenwere playing the 4 much in Chicago next season, the fact that she can match up against a bigger player (and an exceptionally talented one at that) and hold her own physically suggests this could be an interesting wrinkle for Spoon to throw at teams intermittently. Even if the opponent outmuscles Onyenwere on occasion, no WNBA coach will want to see their 4 trying to keep up with her on the offensive end—especially if she can score efficiently off of screens and hold her own on the glass (11 r) like she did in this one. As a team, Ormanspor’s 8th consecutive win keeps them 2nd in Turkey with an impressive 17-6 record.
Sika Koné (Perfumerias Avenida — Spain)
Koné and Avenida (16-4) return from the international break just a game behind Valencia in the standings with 10 games and a visit to the league leaders still left. On top of pushing for home-court throughout the Spanish playoffs, Sika and company also have a best-of-three EuroLeague quarterfinal against reigning champions Fenerbahçe (which starts 2/21) and a Spanish Cup quarterfinal (3/22) left on their agenda for this season. On a personal level, Koné has a solid chance to secure the league’s MVP award with a strong finish to the season.
Rebekah Gardner (Spar Girona — Spain)
Gardner and Girona, currently fourth in the Spanish league at 14-6, kick off a vital stretch of their season when they host second place Zaragoza (16-4) on Sunday (2/18). In addition to that game, Girona also play leaders Valencia (17-3) and third-placed Avenida (16-4) plus both legs of their EuroCup quarterfinal tie against Galatasaray over a 14-day stretch that will determine the fate of their season. Like Avenida, they’re also alive in a third competition with their Spanish Cup quarterfinal set for 3/21.
Robyn Parks (PF Schio — Italy)
Parks and Schio—who return to action later today (2/16) in the semifinal of the Italian Cup—come back from the international break tied for second in Italy at 13-3. Parks and company will be looking to, at the very least, secure the second overall seed for the 8-team Italian league playoffs—which uses a best of three format for all three rounds. Schio also have a EuroLeague quarterfinal match-up with Praha that starts next Wednesday (2/21) and the aforementioned Italian Cup—which they hope to win for the fourth consecutive season with a win today and in Sunday’s final (2/18).
Brianna Turner (Adelaide Lightning —Australia)
Turner and Adelaide are back in action Saturday (2/17) with their penultimate match of the WNBL season against the Melbourne Boomers. At 6-13, Adelaide are eliminated from playoff contention—meaning next week’s game (2/24) against Southside will be their final match of the season. On an individual note, Turner enters the final two games leading the league in rebounds (260) and in blocks (42) with a considerable lead (224, 29 next closest) in each category.
Isabelle Harrison (Athletes Unlimited)
Harrison is confirmed as part of Athletes Unlimited’s roster for its third season—which starts on February 29th. She returns after finishing 6th place in the league in 2023 and 3rd place in 2022.