The Chicago Sky traded center Alaina Coates to the Minnesota Lynx for a 2020 third-round draft pick Tuesday.
During her rookie season last year, Coates averaged 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
The 6-4 South Carolina star had a dubious beginning to her professional career. After being selected No. 2 in the 2017 draft, Coates ended up sitting out the season to recover from an ankle injury she sustained in the NCAA Tournament earlier that spring.
Her first official season in Chicago began with a heavy heart, as her father died after a heart attack.
Coates came off the bench in 32 games for Chicago, and averaged 11.4 minutes per game. Twice during the season, she scored a career-high 10 points.
When 2019’s training camp began, the Sky had a similar look, but a new feel. Under new coach James Wade, Coates was competing with familiar faces in Dolson, Parker, and Astou Ndour.
Yesterday Chicago traded their 2020 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for veteran center Jantel Lavender. That move proved to be the end of Coates’ time with the franchise.
