Vandersloot living the dream with Sky
Pledges loyalty to team, saying: ‘I’m Chicago for life’
Any question of Courtney Vandersloot’s loyalty to the Sky can be thrown the curb. With her contract expiring after this season, Vandersloot made it clear she wants to permanently stay in Chicago.
“I’ve always envied people who stay with one franchise their whole career,” Vandersloot said after the Sky’s 87-83 victory against the Dream in Atlanta. “For now, I’m Chicago for life.”
Vandersloot is on pace to finish first in assist average in the WNBA for the third consecutive year. She’s averaging 8.8 assists this season, up from 8.6 in 2018. She’s also projected to smash her single-season record for total assists, which she set last season with 258.
Vandersloot is the type of player who prefers to run the floor rather than her mouth. She has always been this way — modest about her abilities.
When the Sky drafted Vandersloot third overall in the 2011 draft, she had all the talent and potential, but lacked one of the most important characteristics in a point guard: Confidence.
“When we drafted her she didn’t know she was good,” then-coach Pokey Chatman said. “I can remember convincing her, ‘No, trust me. You’re good.’”
Vandersloot credits her success to Chatman and Sky owner Michael Alter.
“After my first couple of years, they could’ve given up on me,” Vandersloot said, “but they didn’t because they saw something.
“There’s been a lot of ups and downs. Their loyalty to me means everything to me and I feel like I need to reciprocate that.”
The Sky have something special with Vandersloot — that’s why they designated her as a core player last offseason and gave her an extension. But there’s a chance — albeit microscopic — she might not be here next year as she’s on the last year of her contract.
Vandersloot has been faithful to the Sky. When she was a restricted free agent in 2015, Chatman said her negotiations with Vandersloot took 10 minutes.
“She asked, ‘How long can I re-sign for?’ ” Chatman recalled. “And she signed for four years which is unheard of. Most agents don’t want them to sign for so long but she felt confident enough in her ability and the growth that she had to want to be part of [the Sky] long term.”
Will she remain devoted to the Sky?
All signs point to yes.
The Sky can designate Vandersloot as a core player three more times. She’s already among the top paid players in the league.
Vandersloot has also established roots here as her wife and teammate Allie Quigley, whose contract also expires after this season, bought a house near the Sky’s practice facility in Deerfield.
And why would Vandersloot, who has been through the trenches with the Sky, leave the team when it’s on the rise? The Sky (16-11) are fifth in the standings after Tuesday’s win.
Vandersloot said the Sky have meant a lot to her.
“I feel like I’ve grown up in this franchise and this city,” she said. “I’ve really learned a lot and have made relationships that will last the rest of my life.
“I’ve always envied people who stay with one franchise their whole career . . . . We’ll see with how the cards play out, but for now I’m Chicago for life.”