Sky to host Chinese National team
As part of a 2011 international tour, the Chicago Sky will host the Chinese National Women’s Basketball Team in a preseason game at Trinity College on May 23.
The contest will tip off at 11:30 a.m. at the Trinity’s campus in Deerfield, and the game is being held at that time to allow local elementary and middle schools students to attend as part of an Education Day initiative with the Sky.
A leading power in women’s basketball in Asia, the Chinese National Women’s Basketball Team currently ranks eighth in the world according to the International Basketball Federation. China, the host nation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, reached the semifinals in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.
“The Chinese National team is always one of the more competitive teams in international play, and it has earned them a Top 10 world ranking,” said Pokey Chatman, head coach and general manager of the Sky. “They will showcase a style of play that will be a challenge, but also be good preparation for our upcoming season.”
A Chinese National Team member, 6-foot-5 center Chen Nan, played briefly for the Chicago Sky in 2009 before a back injury led to her release from the team. At the 2010 World Championships, she averaged 14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
The Chinese National Women’s Basketball Team also will preseason games and scrimmages in May against three other WNBA teams, the Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty and Washington Mystics.
For ticket information, contact the CSky at 866-SKY-WNBA.