The Chicago Sky roster continued to crumble under the pressure of an intense WNBA free agency window this week after Azurá Stevens left for the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday, according to ESPN.
The Sky’s frontcourt was already reeling with the loss of Candace Parker, who announced her intention to sign with the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday. But with Stevens departing as well — and Emma Meesseman uncertain to return to the WNBA at all this summer — the Sky will start the 2023 season without any of their rotational forwards or centers. Third-year forward Ruthy Hebard and Chinese center Li Yueru are the only frontcourt players remaining on the Sky roster.
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After being drafted sixth overall by the Dallas Wings in 2018, Stevens signed with Sky in 2020. Over the last two seasons, she grew into a reliable role off the bench to complement the combination of Parker and Meesseman.
At 6-foot-6, Stevens provides versatility on both ends of the ball, equipped to defend nearly every position on the court while frustrating opponents with her combination of size and speed. She averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game last season while starting only eight games.
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Without Stevens, the Sky will be forced to begin a major rebuild around star guard Kahleah Copper, who remains the only regular rotation player left from the 2021 WNBA championship team.
