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Chicago Sky coach and general manager James Wade resigned from the team Saturday to accept an assistant coaching position with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, leaving the WNBA franchise reeling in the midst of a rebuilding season.
Assistant coach Emre Vatansever was named interim general manager and head coach. His first game will be Sunday against the Indiana Fever.
Under Wade’s leadership, the Sky won their first championship in 2021, then recorded the winningest regular season in franchise history in 2022. He posted an 81-59 record over 4 1/2 seasons, plus a 13-8 playoff record.
The Sky signed Wade in January 2021 to a four-year contract extension through 2025, a deal that would have made him one of the longest-tenured coaches in WNBA history had he completed it.
This loss is twofold for the Sky, who relied on Wade to shape the vision for the team in his dual role as coach and general manager. He secured major free-agent signings such as Candace Parker and drafted young talent such as Gary native Dana Evans. He was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2019 and WNBA Executive of the Year in 2022.
After four starters, including Parker, departed the Sky in free agency last offseason, Wade took risks to trade away the bulk of the team’s 2023 draft picks in order to retool the roster around All-Star guard Kahleah Copper. The Sky are 7-9 to start this season.
