Sky settles roster; Reese deals with fame
The Sky finalized its opening day roster Monday by releasing second-round draft pick Brynna Maxwell and center Taya Reimer.
That means the team will keep the former first-rounders looking to make WNBA comebacks. Guards Chennedy Carter and Kysre Gondrezick were both No. 4 overall draft picks who didn't play in the league last season.
Carter averaged 17.4 points for Atlanta in 2020 and finished second in rookie of the year voting. Gondrezick, a Benton Harbor, Mich. native, was drafted by Indiana but was with the Sky early in the championship season of 2021. She suffered a concussion and did not make the final roster.
“We have similar stories,” Gondrezick said Monday at the Sachs Center in Deerfield. “I think everyone on this team kind of has something to prove, coach included. I think ultimately, that's what's going to make our team and build our identity. We have something to prove.”
Gondrezick's mother Lisa Harvey was a college teammate of Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon at Louisiana Tech. Her father Grant Gondrezick played two seasons in the NBA.
Maxwell was expected to miss the first several weeks of the season with a knee injury, which obviously didn't help her cause. Despite getting the pink slip, Maxwell was a spectator at Monday's practice and was seen giving Weatherspoon a hug.
“I love people and how they feel means something to me,” Weatherspoon said. “My first thing was letting her know how much I respect who she is, how much I love the effort that she gave every day to try and be on the floor, even though she was injured.”
The Sky open the regular season with two games at Dallas, starting on Wednesday.
Reese wrestles fame
Sky rookie Angel Reese is used to getting attention after a celebrated college career at LSU. On Monday, she talked about dealing with that fame so far in Chicago.
“They recognize me everywhere for sure,” Reese said. “I'm getting used to it, being able to be out and being able to not really walk down the street. In college, I really didn't go out much, but now I'm more in the open, more in the city.
“I'm not used to going out and having security. Now I have to have security wherever I go. Just trying to be mindful and careful, obviously, because my safety is first. Chicago has done a great job making sure I'm OK. But I love the community here, I love the culture here. Being able to be recognized on the street is pretty cool.”
Reese also talked about the difference between professional life and college, which she just finished.
“I love being free here,” Reese said. “I'm an adult. I don't have to do certain things I did in college. When I go home, I'm like, 'What's next?' In college, we knew what was next on the schedule, pregame meal.
“I'm on my own now. I'm like, 'Where are we going to eat?' Everybody's like, 'Everybody's doing their own thing.' I'm kind of learning that on the fly. I do miss being able to be constructive with a schedule, but I also like having my freedom.”
Flight plan
There was visual proof on social media of the Indiana Fever taking advantage of the WNBA's allowance of charter flights. The Fever headed to Connecticut for Tuesday's WNBA debut of former Iowa star Caitlin Clark.
According to a report, the Sky was set to fly commercial to Dallas on Tuesday, with future travel details still in the working stage.
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