The Chicago Sky despatched shockwaves by means of the league on Wednesday afternoon after they introduced that they had been buying and selling Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Solar. In return, they obtain a 2025 first-round draft decide, a 2026 first-round decide swap and veterans Moriah Jefferson and Rachel Banham. Chicago is also sending a 2025 second-round decide to Connecticut.
“Marina has made a big affect over the previous two seasons with the Sky behind her scoring skill, playmaking, competitiveness and dedication to the group,” Chicago Sky Normal Supervisor Jeff Pagliocca mentioned. “We respect all of her contributions to the group and want her continued success within the league.”
The transfer comes a day after Mabrey scored 15 factors, dished out 4 assists and grabbed three steals in a 93-85 upset over the Las Vegas Aces.
Because of the scoring exploits of Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter, Mabrey has grown as a playmaker. She is at present averaging 14.0 factors, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per sport. Mabrey, who is understood for her 3-point taking pictures, has gone from taking pictures 39 % from past the arc final season to taking pictures 34.8 % from deep in 2024. She has proven regular enchancment as rebounder and defender, with a complete of 109 rebounds and 29 steals in 24 video games this season.
The Sky have one of many lowest 3-point percentages within the league at 31.4 %. Mabrey was the participant that was recurrently making an attempt 3s. Now, will probably be Banham, a nine-year veteran who has performed for Connecticut and the Minnesota Lynx. She is averaging 4.8 factors, 1.2 rebounds and taking pictures 34.5 % from the three. She has scored in double figures thrice this season, together with a season-high 24 factors in a 96-69 win over the Phoenix Mercury on July 14. In that sport, she hit eight 3-pointers, a WNBA report for a reserve participant.
Jefferson has been within the league since 2016. She had performed for the Las Vegas Aces, Lynx, Dallas Wings and Mercury. Final 12 months, she averaged 10.5 factors and three.6 assists per sport for the Mercury. She is at present out with an ankle harm. Earlier than that, she was averaging 2.1 factors, 0.7 assists, taking pictures 37.5 % from the sector and taking pictures 33.3 % from the 3-point line.
The Sky additionally look to maximise their possibilities in subsequent 12 months’s draft with this transfer.
“We’re very excited to welcome Rachel and Moriah to the Sky and we all know that each will deliver a ton of worth to this roster this season,” Pagliocca mentioned. “Including one other important first spherical draft decide in 2025 will strengthen our draft capital subsequent 12 months.”
