Sky trades Price to Atlanta for 6-2 reserve forward

Two seasons after watching her start 34 games en route to winning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, the Chicago Sky has parted ways with speedy point guard Armintie Price.

The Sky traded the 5-foot-9 third-year player to Atlanta on Wednesday for second-year forward Tamera Young, another athletic player who is coming off the bench after a strong rookie season.

Price, who averaged 6.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 2007, only played about 14 minutes per game this season and did not get a single start in 22 games. The Sky has relied on all-star Jia Perkins and Dominque Canty at guard, with rookie Kristi Toliver also coming off the bench.

Sky head coach and general manager Steven Key believes the 6-foot-2 Young can give the team some help off the bench as the Sky pushes toward the WNBA playoffs.

Young has appeared in 11 games for the Dream in 2009, averaging 6.5 minutes per game. She scored 2.7 points per game and grabbed 1.3 rebounds per game for Atlanta this season.

"We've been struggling under the basket, and it's been obvious that our rebounding isn't where it should be," Key said "Tamera is 6-2 and will help contribute to crashing the boards."

Key praised Price for her efforts in three years with the Sky.

"This trade will hopefully be an opportunity for AP to get more playing time. She is a hard worker, a phenomenal athlete and a team player," Key said. "This wasn't the easiest decision as she will be missed by the organization."

Young starred in college at James Madison and played in 33 games during her rookie season, starting 15. That year she averaged over 7 points and 4 rebounds per game.

This season Price played in all 22 games for the Sky, but her role was reduced to 14.7 minutes per game, and she average 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 points per game. While she scored 17 points in a loss at San Antonio earlier this summer, Price also played in 12 games in which she scored 3 points or less.