Courtney Vandersloot #22 and Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
As the Chicago Sky prepare to honor Candace Parker with the first jersey retirement in franchise history, one of the team’s other icons is leading the charge into a new era.
Courtney Vandersloot, a cornerstone of the Sky’s 2021 WNBA championship run, returned to Chicago for the 2025 season as the team’s starting point guard and veteran leader. At 36, she has embraced a dual role—directing the offense while mentoring a young roster that includes Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Hailey Van Lith.
“It was awesome to see. I just found out, too. I think that’s a great thing,” Vandersloot told RG Media about Parker’s upcoming jersey retirement. “She’s obviously a Chicago sports icon, a WNBA icon and a legend. She’s done so much for the game—she deserves it. I’m excited to be able to celebrate her and honor her.”
During their two seasons together in Chicago, Vandersloot and Parker helped redefine the identity of the Sky. Parker brought championship pedigree and unmatched versatility, while Vandersloot served as the team’s engine, setting the tone with her passing, poise and leadership. Together, they orchestrated the most successful stretch in franchise history, culminating in a 2021 title run that remains the Sky’s crowning achievement.
“My favorite part of playing with her is just how she approaches the game,” Vandersloot said. “She approaches it like a winner every single night. She expects a lot from herself, her teammates, her club, her team—everything. And people are better when they’re around Candace Parker.”
Celebrating a Chicago Icon
The Sky will retire Parker’s No. 3 jersey during their Aug. 25 matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, raising her number into the rafters of Wintrust Arena alongside the 2021 championship banner. The celebration will include a video tribute, an on-court ceremony and special giveaways tied to the release of Parker’s book, The Can-Do Mindset.
Parker’s career remains one of the most accomplished in league history. The No. 1 overall pick in 2008, she won MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season, added a second MVP in 2013 and captured WNBA titles with three franchises—the Sparks (2016), Sky (2021) and Aces (2023). A six-time All-WNBA selection and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Parker was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and Finals MVP in 2016.
A Steady Hand in a Season of Change
Vandersloot, the WNBA’s second all-time assists leader and the Sky’s franchise leader in games, minutes, assists and steals, is also now the organization’s leading scorer—passing Allie Quigley. Vandersloot’s return reunites the organization with its most accomplished and longest-tenured player.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s why I came back—because it means everything to me,” Vandersloot told RG. “This franchise is really important to me, and I want to make sure we’re on the right path always. Playing really meaningful basketball, competing for championships—all those things that we built early on in my career—I just want to continue that legacy.”
Through five games this season, Vandersloot is averaging 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals. Her impact remains constant, especially for a roster still learning to function as one.
Head coach Tyler Marsh said Vandersloot’s presence has been invaluable during a season of transition, both for her leadership and her ability to stabilize the team on the floor.
“She’s an extension of me on the court,” Marsh said. “We’re asking her to do a lot, and she’s welcomed that with open arms. She’s still got a lot left in the tank. It’s her on-court leadership, her presence in the locker room—she’s vocal and steady. She keeps everything in control, and that comes with the experience she has.”
Turning the Corner
Entering Thursday’s matchup against the Dallas Wings, the Sky sat at 0–4, tying the worst start in franchise history. But Vandersloot never wavered in her confidence that things were building in the right direction.
“You said it—we’re not panicking,” Vandersloot said. “We’re just staying focused on what we come in and do every single day. Of course, this isn’t the start we wanted, but I’ve been in this league a long time. This is part of it. It feels bad—and from the outside, it looks bad—but this is part of the growing process.”
She pointed to the group’s recent loss to Phoenix as a step forward.
On Thursday night, the Sky got that long-awaited win.
Chicago defeated the Dallas Wings 97–92 inside Wintrust Arena to improve to 1–5 overall and 1–1 at home. The win snapped their season-opening skid and came behind a record-setting performance from Vandersloot, who became the Sky’s all-time leading scorer with 3,728 points, surpassing Allie Quigley. She also moved into first place on the team’s all-time field goals made list with 1,390.
“It means a lot because it reflects my time spent here,” Vandersloot told RG. “It took me a thousand years to do it, but it speaks to my commitment to the Sky—and their commitment to me. They let me grow and develop, even through tough seasons. Passing Allie is special—she deserves the record. But she’s glad it’s me.”
Vandersloot finished the win with 13 points, nine assists and five steals. Cardoso scored a season-high 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, including 12 in the first quarter to help set the tone early. Ariel Atkins added 17 points, and Rebecca Allen chipped in 13 on three made threes. Reese came up big in crunch time, knocking down two key buckets and dishing two assists in the final minutes. She ended with six points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Despite a 37-point, eight-assist outburst from Arike Ogunbowale and an all-around performance from Paige Bueckers (15 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks), the Sky found enough poise late to secure their first win—and a much-needed breakthrough.
Veteran Impact, Future Focus
Now in her 15th WNBA season, Vandersloot is helping guide Chicago’s young players as they adjust to the professional level. The Sky’s young core includes second-year standouts Reese and Cardoso, and Van Lith — all of whom have taken on significant responsibilities early in the season.
“I’ve said it over and over — they all want to be great,” Vandersloot said. “They approach the game the right way. There are things they’re doing as young players that I didn’t learn until multiple years into the league, and I think that speaks highly of all of them.”
Reese credited Vandersloot’s steady presence and patience as key to her and Cardoso’s development.
“Being able to pick her brain is huge,” Reese told RG.
“Having a good point guard makes your job easier. Sometimes I make it hard for her — if I don’t finish a shot, she doesn’t get the assist. She’s one of the best point guards in league history, and she has so much patience with me and Kamilla. A lot of veterans might rush the process, but she trusts it and gives us a lot of grace.”
“Having a point guard that believes in us and trusts us is everything,” she added. “Bringing her back home to Chicago was the perfect piece for us. She’s won two championships — she knows what it takes.”
Cardoso echoed that sentiment.
“She means a lot. She’s done so much here,” Cardoso told RG. “She’s always helping and supporting us. She’s a leader, and we follow her example. She’s always early in the gym, stretching, doing extra work. She lifts us up.”
As the Sky push forward in a season filled with transition, Vandersloot’s role is as critical as ever, stabilizing a new-look roster while helping extend the championship culture she helped build.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas-based basketball writer with over eight years of experience covering the NBA. He’s spent time on the Mavericks beat for Sports Illustrated and now writes for Sportskeeda.com and DallasHoopsJournal.com. Known for his analysis, engaging interviews, and breaking news coverage, Grant provides a fresh angle to the game.
