Last week, restricted free agent Astou Ndour made it clear she wanted to stay with the Sky and play for general manager and coach James Wade, who she credits for giving her an opportunity in the WNBA.
But the Sky had other plans Tuesday.
The Sky matched Ndour’s offer sheet from the Atlanta Dream only to send her south in a sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Wings, a source confirmed to the Sun-Times.
This is the Sky’s first move since free agency began Monday, but it won’t be their last. As of now, the Sky have five players under contract for next season with All-Stars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley still on the market.
The final details of the deal — including what the Sky will get in return — is being finalized, a source said. Winsidr first reported the move.
Ndour, who returned to Euroleague play last month after surgery Oct. 11 for a torn meniscus, established herself as a high-ceiling frontcourt player last season, her fourth in the WNBA. After a slow start to the 2019 season, Ndour left the Sky for more than a month to represent her Spain’s national team for the EuroBasket Tournament.
During her time away, Ndour found her groove and was named the tournament’s MVP.
Upon returning to Chicago, Ndour turned heads in the second half of the 2019 WNBA season after she replaced Jantel Lavender when the starting power forward went down with a season-ending foot injury.
In 11 regular-season starts, Ndour, whom the Stars drafted 16th overall in the 2014 WNBA draft, averaged 10.7 points (on 50 percent shooting) and 7.1 rebounds — a major improvement from the 2.5 points and one rebound she averaged in 10 games off the bench.
Ndour also played an important part in the Sky’s two playoff games, averaging 16.5 points — second to only guard Diamond DeShields — and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds.
With Lavender expected to start the season healthy, the Wings are a better opportunity for Ndour, who could potentially earn a starting role in training camp. Ndour’s departure impacts the Sky’s frontcourt depth, but that’s something they can address with their eighth overall pick in this year’s draft.
