CHICAGO (July 17, 2024) — The Chicago Sky announced today that the team have acquired Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, the 2025 first round draft pick and the rights to swap 2026 first round pick from Connecticut in exchange for Marina Mabrey and the Sky’s 2025 second round draft pick.
“Marina has made a significant impact over the past two seasons with the Sky behind her scoring ability, playmaking, competitiveness and commitment to the community,” Chicago Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “We appreciate all of her contributions to the organization and wish her continued success in the league.”
Banham is a nine-year WNBA veteran who has spent time with Connecticut and Minnesota. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft, Banham holds career averages of 5.2 points and 1.4 assists in 243 career games. A skilled shooter from deep, Banham holds a career three-point percentage of 36.9% from beyond the arc.
Through 21 games this season, Banham is averaging 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds. She has scored in double figures three times this season, including a season-high 24 points while making eight of her 11 three-point attempts.
Banham played collegiately for five seasons at Minnesota, averaging 21.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 144 games (all starts). She was the 2015-16 Big Ten Player of the Year, a one-time AP All-American and three-time All-Big Ten Team member.
Jefferson, a 5-6 guard from UConn, was selected No. 2 overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA Draft. She brings seven years of experience to the Sky after playing with Las Vegas, Minnesota, Dallas and Phoenix. In 2023 with Phoenix, she averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds.
In her rookie season in San Antonio, 13.9 points, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals and was named to the 2016 WNBA All-Rookie Team.
In 188 career games, Jefferson holds career averages of 9.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals. She’s a career 39.6% three-point shooter and has shot over 45.0% from three in two of her last four seasons.
Jefferson won a national title in all four years of her collegiate career with UConn. She won AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015-16, she is a two-time NCAA All-Tournament Team member, two-time AP All-American and three-time All-AAC Team member.
“We are very excited to welcome Rachel and Moriah to the Sky and we know that both will bring a ton of value to this roster this season,” Pagliocca said. “Adding another essential first round draft pick in 2025 will strengthen our draft capital next year.”
Chicago receives:
Rachel Banham
Moriah Jefferson
2025 First Round Pick
Rights to Swap Phoenix’s 2026 1st Round Pick (previously acquired by Chicago in the February 2024 Copper, Bertsch, Onyenwere, Turner trade) with Connecticut’s 1st Round Pick
Connecticut Receives:
Marina Mabrey
New York’s 2025 Second Round Pick (previously acquired by Chicago in March 2024 Gardner trade)