Sky's Vandersloot latest star to join Liberty, Stevens leaving for L.A.
NEW YORK - Courtney Vandersloot and Azura Stevens became the latest stars to leave the Chicago Sky.
Vandersloot, who had played her entire 12-year career with the Chicago Sky, announced Thursday on social media that she would play with the New York Liberty this season, a day after Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart said she'd play in New York.
Stewart and Vandersloot currently are playing together in Turkey.
Vandersloot had announced late Tuesday on social media that she wasn't returning to Chicago. She has led the league in assists six times and helped the Sky win the 2021 WNBA championship.
Azura Stevens also won't return next year. The free agent forward/center is signing with the Los Angeles Sparks, her agent, Mike Cound, told ESPN.
Stevens started 11 games for the Sky in 2021 en route to a WNBA championship. Last season, she started eight games and averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
They were two of the biggest names in free agency that were expected to change teams. Vandersloot's former teammate and Naperville Central legend Candace Parker also left the Sky to go to Las Vegas.
Also missing next season for the Sky: Allie Quigley, who scored 11.4 points per game last season, and is Vandersloot's wife. ESPN's Holly Rowe reported Wednesday that Quigley has opted to sit out the 2023 season, but not retire.
The Sky did add a couple players on Thursday. The Athletic reported Thursday that free-agent guard Courtney Williams has agreed to a deal, her agent, Marcus Crenshaw, told Girls Talk Sports TV's Khristina Williams. Courtney Williams averaged 11.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season.
And free-agent forward Isabelle Harrison is signing with the Sky, she announced on social media Thursday. She averaged 8.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for Dallas last season, starting 18 games and averaging 18.4 minutes.
Courtney Williams averaged 11.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season. The 28-year-old ranked in the top five in scoring, assists and rebounds on a Connecticut Sun team that lost the 2022 WNBA Finals. She has played for the Sun, Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury.