Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Chicago Sky 2016 were led by Elena Delle Donne, whose scoring efficiency and all-around production made her the centerpiece of the offense. Courtney Vandersloot orchestrated the attack with elite playmaking, while Allie Quigley supplied dependable perimeter shooting and Stefanie Dolson contributed interior scoring and rebounding. The Sky relied on efficient offense, outstanding ball movement, and strong three-point shooting, although defensive consistency remained a relative weakness.

NO. PLAYER POS HT WT DOB COLLEGE
1 Tamera Young F 6-2 175 October 30, 1986 James Madison University
8 Clarissa Dos Santos C 6-1 196 March 10, 1988
11 Elena Delle Donne F-G 6-5 187 September 5, 1989 University of Delaware
14 Allie Quigley G 5-10 142 June 20, 1986 DePaul
21 Jamierra Faulkner G 5-6 138 March 9, 1992 Southern Miss
22 Courtney Vandersloot G 5-8 137 February 8, 1989 Gonzaga
23 Cappie Pondexter G 5-9 160 January 7, 1983 Rutgers University
32 Cheyenne Parker-Tyus F 6-4 193 August 22, 1992 Middle Tennessee
34 Imani McGee-Stafford C 6-7 215 October 11, 1994 Texas
41 Erika de Souza F-C 6-5 190 March 9, 1982
44 Betnijah Laney-Hamilton G-F 6-0 166 October 29, 1993 Rutgers University
51 Jessica Breland F 6-2 166 February 23, 1988 UNC

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Elena Delle Donne Starter/Star [1.1] 33.1 High [1.2] 21.5 7.0 1.9 2.1 85.54 Chicago again built its offense around Delle Donne’s inside-out scoring, but analysts also pointed to her improved defensive discipline and ability to draw constant defensive attention without forcing possessions. Even through injuries, she remained the player opponents designed entire game plans around. (WNBA) All-WNBA First Team (2016); WNBA All-Star (2016); Eastern Conference Player of the Week (July 18, 2016; Sept. 6, 2016)
Cappie Pondexter Starter/Star [1.1] 27.4 High [1.2] 12.9 2.8 2.7 1.0 51.22 Rather than dominating the ball, Pondexter settled into a veteran complementary role beside Delle Donne. Independent coverage frequently mentioned her leadership and willingness to mentor a younger backcourt while still providing timely perimeter scoring. (WNBA) WNBA All-Star (2016)
Courtney Vandersloot Starter/Star [1.1] 24.3 Medium [1.1] 9.5 2.7 4.7 1.5 44.04 Vandersloot remained the organizer of Chicago’s offense, with Pokey Chatman publicly emphasizing that she elevated everyone around her through pace, passing angles and decision-making. Her influence often exceeded what traditional scoring totals suggested. (WNBA) None
Tamera Young Starter/Star [1.1] 25.8 Low [1.0] 8.5 4.5 1.4 0.9 33.66 Young’s primary responsibility was defending opposing wings and bringing physicality to Chicago’s starting lineup. Local coverage consistently praised her versatility and willingness to accept difficult defensive assignments over offensive touches. (Wikipedia) None
Allie Quigley Key Contributor [1.05] 17.8 Medium [1.1] 9.5 0.9 1.6 0.6 29.10 Operating as the captain of the second unit, Quigley stretched defenses with constant movement off the ball instead of simply spotting up. Coaches and analysts highlighted how her shooting gravity created opportunities throughout the bench rotation. None
Jamierra Faulkner Key Contributor [1.05] 19.3 Medium [1.1] 7.8 1.5 4.6 1.2 34.84 Faulkner gave Chicago an entirely different tempo whenever she entered, using speed to pressure defenses and ignite transition offense. Independent reporting regularly described her as an ideal change-of-pace guard behind Vandersloot. None
Imani McGee-Stafford Key Contributor [1.05] 18.9 Low [1.0] 6.7 5.6 0.6 2.0 31.29 The rookie center earned increasing trust because of her rim protection and rebounding instincts. Observers viewed her defensive upside as one of Chicago’s biggest long-term positives despite her limited offensive role. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016)
Jessica Breland Key Contributor [1.05] 17.2 Low [1.0] 6.0 4.4 0.7 1.6 26.67 Breland handled many of the physical frontcourt matchups, allowing Chicago’s skilled scorers greater freedom elsewhere. Coverage of the season routinely credited her energy, rebounding and defensive flexibility. None
Erika de Souza Key Contributor [1.05] 16.6 Low [1.0] 5.8 5.2 0.6 1.2 26.04 De Souza quietly anchored the paint with veteran positioning and dependable screening. Independent reports emphasized that her experience stabilized Chicago’s interior play more than her scoring totals indicated. None
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Bench [1.0] 12.6 Low [1.0] 4.0 3.2 0.2 0.7 16.20 Parker-Tyus continued developing as an athletic reserve forward capable of supplying energy in short bursts. Contemporary individual coverage was limited, though available reporting consistently mentioned her upside and activity around the basket. None
Clarissa Dos Santos Bench [1.0] 9.4 Low [1.0] 2.9 2.2 0.5 0.5 12.20 Dos Santos filled a depth role behind Chicago’s veteran post rotation. Independent season-specific reporting was limited, with most discussion centered on her rebounding effort and reserve responsibilities. None
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Bench [1.0] 5.3 Low [1.0] 1.0 0.6 0.1 0.1 3.60 Laney-Hamilton appeared only sparingly while continuing her professional development. Contemporary independent coverage of her individual season was limited because of her small role in the rotation. None
Chicago Sky Totals — 237.8 — 96.2 42.7 22.0 13.4 394.42 Chicago combined an MVP-caliber centerpiece with experienced perimeter creators, a deep bench and improving young interior talent to reach the WNBA semifinals despite battling injuries throughout the regular season. WNBA Eastern Conference Runner-up (Regular Season, 2016); WNBA Semifinalist (2016)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Courtney Vandersloot Starter/Star [1.1] 29.6 High [1.2] 13.2 2.4 6.2 2.2 63.62 As Elena Delle Donne missed the postseason with a thumb injury, Vandersloot became Chicago’s offensive engine. National playoff coverage praised her command of the attack, highlighted by a 21-point, 13-assist performance against Atlanta and a decisive fourth quarter in the Sky’s lone semifinal win over Los Angeles. (WNBA) None
Cappie Pondexter Starter/Star [1.1] 28.2 Medium [1.1] 12.4 1.2 1.8 1.6 41.62 Pondexter shifted into more of a veteran shot-creation role once Delle Donne was unavailable. Although her efficiency fluctuated, postseason reporting emphasized her experience and willingness to absorb difficult defensive attention against Los Angeles. (WNBA) None
Jessica Breland Starter/Star [1.1] 25.4 Low [1.0] 9.2 8.4 0.6 2.6 45.76 Breland anchored Chicago’s interior with relentless rebounding and rim protection. Her 20-point, 16-rebound outing versus Atlanta was widely recognized as one of the defining individual performances of the Sky’s playoff run before she returned to a defense-first role against the Sparks. (sky.wnba.com) None
Tamera Young Starter/Star [1.1] 27.6 Medium [1.1] 9.8 4.8 3.2 1.6 46.46 Young’s value came from guarding multiple positions while handling secondary playmaking duties. Analysts consistently highlighted her defensive versatility and physical style, even when her scoring came in bursts rather than consistently. None
Imani McGee-Stafford Starter/Star [1.1] 20.4 Low [1.0] 8.4 8.2 0.8 2.0 42.24 The rookie center earned increased responsibility as the playoffs progressed, giving Chicago size and rim protection. Coverage frequently pointed to her rebounding instincts and growing confidence, especially during the semifinal series. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016)
Clarissa Dos Santos Bench [1.0] 18.4 Low [1.0] 9.4 3.4 1.4 1.8 32.00 Dos Santos supplied an unexpected spark off the bench, particularly in Game 2 against Los Angeles. Team recap coverage noted her playoff career highs in points, rebounds and a franchise-record six steals, illustrating how disruptive she became defensively. None
Jamierra Faulkner Bench [1.0] 17.2 Low [1.0] 8.0 1.6 3.0 0.8 26.80 Faulkner changed Chicago’s tempo whenever she checked in, using her quickness to pressure opposing guards. Her aggressive play in the opening semifinal game earned praise despite the team’s loss. None
Allie Quigley Bench [1.0] 13.2 Medium [1.1] 5.6 1.0 1.4 0.2 18.04 Quigley remained a floor-spacing reserve whose movement without the ball forced defenses to stay attached. Her minutes were more situational than during the regular season, but she still provided needed perimeter shooting. None
Erika de Souza Bench [1.0] 10.4 Low [1.0] 3.6 2.6 0.4 1.0 15.20 De Souza’s postseason role centered on setting screens, defending the paint and adding veteran stability. Independent reporting focused more on her experience than on offensive production. None
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Bench [1.0] 9.4 Low [1.0] 2.8 1.8 0.4 0.2 10.40 Parker-Tyus filled brief frontcourt minutes as a developmental reserve. Contemporary postseason coverage discussing her individual contributions was limited, with most attention directed toward Chicago’s veteran rotation. None
Chicago Sky Totals — 199.8 — 74.4 34.0 21.4 13.8 342.14 Despite losing Elena Delle Donne before the playoffs, Chicago reached the WNBA Semifinals behind Vandersloot’s playmaking, Breland’s interior presence and a balanced committee effort that eliminated Atlanta before falling to Los Angeles. WNBA Second Round Winner (2016); WNBA Semifinalist (2016)