The Chicago Sky has acquired veteran center Erika De Souza from the Atlanta Dream as part of a three-team deal that sends center Sylvia Fowles and the Sky’s second round pick in the 2016 Draft to Minnesota and forwards Damiris Dantas & Reshanda Gray and Minnesota’s first-round pick in the 2016 Draft to Atlanta. Per team policy, contract terms were not disclosed.
“Erika brings veteran leadership, a versatile skill-set and defensive intensity that will complement our existing core,” said Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. “Her presence in the paint will be extremely valuable as we enter the second half of the season.”
De Souza, now in her 10th WNBA season, started in all 17 games for the Dream during the first half of the 2015 season averaging 8.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while maintaining a 45.9% field goal percentage. In her WNBA career, the 6-foot-5 center has played in 254 regular season games, for three teams (Los Angeles, Connecticut, Atlanta). De Souza is a three-time WNBA All-Star (2009, 2013, 2014) with career averages of 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She is Atlanta’s current all-time leader in rebounds (1, 784), double-doubles (68), and games played (211). A product of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, De Souza signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001. She played one season each with the Sparks (2002) and the Connecticut Sun (2007) before joining the Dream via the 2008 expansion draft.
“Sylvia was one of the founding blocks of our organization,” said Chatman. “Speaking on behalf of not just myself and the staff, but also the fans, I am thankful for the hard work and passion she played with in a Chicago Sky uniform and wish her continued success in her career.”
Fowles averaged 15.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in seven seasons with the Sky. Selected 2nd overall by Chicago in the 2008 WNBA Draft, Fowles is the Sky’s current all-time leader in points (2,927), rebounds (1,832) in addition to seasons (7), games (186) and minutes (5,755) played.
The Sky returns to action on Tuesday, July 28th against the Phoenix Mercury at the US Airways Center. Tip off is set for 9pm CT on The U Too. The Sky comes home to Allstate Arena on Friday, July 31 to host Naperville-native Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks. The game will tip off at 7:30pm CT. To purchase tickets call 866.SKY.WNBA.