If you have yet to become a fan of the Chicago Sky, then you absolutely need to attend some games to experience what the buzz is all about. Now let me give you some great reasons why.
This season we hired Pokey Chatman, one of the most successful head coaches in women's college basketball history; drafted super rookie Courtney Vandersloot, from Gonzaga, who's been compared to Wayne Gretzky by John Stockton; and we have one of the league's most lethal scoring threats in Epiphany Prince. She has unlimited moves to put the ball in the hoop, and can hit from all spots on the floor, trust me.
In my opinion, we also have the most fierce and tenacious center in Sylvia Fowles. Fans will know her better as "Big Syl." Though perhaps the best reason why you need to come and see us is because I'm one of the league leaders in three-point field goals made! 'Nuff said.
In all seriousness, it will also be our second season at All-State Arena, playing in front of our incredibly dedicated and passionate fans. Not only is it one of the finest arenas in the league, but the atmosphere is infectious, and Sky games offer great entertainment value for families and basketball fans of all ages. During player introductions and at halftime, we feature the popular and award-winning Sky Drumline, who dazzle and help whip the crowd into a frantic frenzy as well.
A personal highlight of mine this season has been our new training facility, moving from Attack Athletics to Sachs Recreation Center. It is the former practice court where the GOAT himself, Michael Jordan played, along with Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, BJ Armstrong and others Chicago Bulls legends who made history here. Every time we step into the gym, it's so easy to be inspired to work harder just by the mere greatness before us, and it's thrilling for us to now call Sachs our home.
With the WNBA now in its 15th season, I am fully aware of how special that milestone is, and truly blessed with the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends. Growing up, I would have never fathomed this was ever possible.
As a native of Seattle, a known hotbed for hoops, I was raised in a household crazed with sports, as my father played professional football in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks. At around age six, I was introduced to the game of basketball, and for me, it was always purely about enjoying the game in its most simplistic form, as just another fun activity to do in my free time. It wasn't until the end of high school when I was offered a scholarship to play basketball that I realized the league was a legit possibility, and I needed to work exponentially harder for it to come fruition.
And I have to admit, I never had any female sports role models growing up, and because of that, I always tended to do whatever activity my older brothers were participating in. Fortunately, I never had too many challenges as a female trying to play sports, even as I played on the local baseball team as the only girl, and only one of just a few who played at all.
Now with the WNBA, the destination for the greatest women's basketball players in the world, and more high-profile opportunities for women in sports, I hope to provide young girls with new hope, inspiration and someone to look up to.
That said, we no longer have next, we have now...and you need to come see us, because in 15 years, we will be celebrating the 30th season of the WNBA.