Natalia Chi
MINNEAPOLIS — Sky Star Kalia Copper kicked off her USA Basketball media appearances in several breaking news stories.
“I’m actually an assistant GM,” Copper said with a laugh when asked about Sky’s latest addition.
After the departure of Candace Parker, Courtney Vanderthroat, Ally Quigley and Azra Stevens, Copper is the last remaining starter at Sky’s championship in 2021. He is also a registered player.
It’s not a matter of whether Copper is ready for this role, it’s a matter of what she brings different from Vanderthroat and Parker. Parker spoke out and Vanderslaught led by example. Copper was often described as an energizer by her former teammates.
These are Sky’s free-agent pickups Copper has welcomed so far:
Isabel Harrison, Forward
2 year contract, $160,000/$160,000 (herhoopstats.com)
After being drafted out of Tennessee with the 12th overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in 2015, Harrison missed his first season in the WNBA due to injury. She spent her first three her seasons in the league with her three different teams: the Mercury, the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces), and her Dallas Wings.
Over the past four seasons, she has averaged 9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the Wings and has started in 63 of 107 appearances.
Guard Courtney Williams
1-year contract, $160,000 (herhoopstats.com)
Making his first All-Star appearance in 2021, Williams had a down season with the Connecticut Sun last year. The Sun lost captain Jasmine Thomas early last season, with Williams playing a dominant role in coach Kurt Miller’s backcourt. She averaged 11.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists and started all 34 games.
The most interesting aspect of this signing is how she and Copper complement each other on defense. It became a fan-favorite moment after it wasn’t.
”[Williams] He’s the kind of person I want to go to war with,” Copper said.
Center Elizabeth Williams
2 year contract, $135,000/$135,000 (herhoopstats.com)
The fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Williams played his first season in the WNBA with the Sun before spending the next six seasons with the Atlanta Dream. She played for her Washington Mystics last season, averaging 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 30 games.
Robin Parks, Forward
camp contract
Sky general manager and coach James Wade has always had a strong eye on scouting overseas talent, as evidenced by the signing of Rebecca Gardner last year.
Parkes is also an undrafted pick. She has played abroad her entire professional career since graduating from her Virginia Commonwealth in 2014. She leads the Italian team, Magnolia La Morrisana her Campobasso, averaging 19.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Feyonda Fitzgerald, Guard
camp contract
Fitzgerald is another overseas signature by Wade. Fitzgerald, who was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft by Indiana for his Fever, was fired days before the roster was finalized for that season. She signed with the Sun that June and appeared in two games.
She is averaging 23.1 points, 4.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds for Antalya 07 in Turkey.
Sky has an eight-man roster, plus Parkes and Fitzgerald on training camp deals.
