June 03--The Chicago Sky cut one of the contenders to replace Sylvia Fowles on Wednesday, releasing 6-foot-5 center Markeisha Gatling two days for the start of the season.
The 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft average 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11 minutes per game last season for the Sky. In three preseason games, she averaged about 3.3 points and less than a rebound per game.
Gatling posted an Instagram picture of a motivational saying, "When (bleep) happens turn it into fertilizer," and added in the caption, "I always have a back up plan."
Fowles demanded a trade earlier this offseason and has sat out every practice and team event, which placed high stakes on the competition between Gatling and other bigs such as Sasha Goodlett and rookie Cheyenne Parker.
The Sky must waive one more player by Thursday to meet the 12-woman roster limit. They open the season Friday against the Indiana Fever at Allstate Arena.
plthompson@chicagotribune.com
