Allie Quigley to sit out 2023 season as Sky face uncertain future

Allie Quigley will not play for the Chicago Sky in 2023 but is not retiring, ESPN’s Holly Rowe first reported on Wednesday.

The WNBA veteran’s move is the latest in a string of Chicago departures, leaving the Sky in 2023 as a very different team from the one that won a WNBA championship in 2021. Candace Parker signed with the Las Vegas Aces in free agency at a very reduced salary of $100,000, Courtney Vandersloot announced her decision to sign elsewhere, and Azurá Stevens would sign with the Los Angeles Sparks.

That leaves Kahleah Copper as the only Chicago starter to stay in touch for 2023. Two-time All-Star Emma Meesseman, who started every Sky game last season, is an unrestricted free agent and has yet to sign with a team.

Quigley has spent the past 10 seasons in Chicago and was an integral part of the Sky Championship held two years ago alongside Vandersloot, his teammate and his wife. She signed a one-year contract with the Sky in 2022, averaging 11.4 points on 36% shooting from the 3-point line, and opted out of playing overseas this offseason.

The 2023 season would have been Quigley’s 15th in the WNBA.

Vandersloot reportedly chose between the Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty as his next destination. The Liberty made the biggest splash of free agency on Wednesday, adding two-time WNBA champion Breanna Stewart to a talented roster that already includes Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney.

In addition to Copper, the Sky has Ruthy Hebard, Julie Allemand, Dana Evans and Li Yueru under contract for 2023. They have over $930,000 in cap space to use on remaining free agents, according to Her Hoop Stats, and the No. 5 pick in the 2023 draft.