With Fowles out, Sky signs 6-foot-5 center

Tye'sha Fluker, a 6-foot-5 center who has played for three other WNBA teams, has signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Sky.

Fluker was selected by the Charlotte Sting in the first round (10th overall) of the 2006 WNBA Draft, and she averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 31 games that season.

In 2007, Fluker played in 9 games for the Seattle Storm before being waived and picked up in July by the Los Angeles Sparks. She appeared in 12 games for the Sparks in 2007, averaging 3.3 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Fluke, a 2006 graduate of Tennessee, began the 2008 season in L.A.'s training camp, and she played against the Sky on May 8 at Sears Centre Arena. At Tennessee, Fluker averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in her senior year, shooting .532 from the floor.

With Sylvia Fowles out 4 to 6 weeks with a sprained knee and Chasity Melvin expected to move into the starting lineup, Fluker likely will be used in a backup role at center.