CHICAGO (June 2, 2021) – The Chicago Sky acquired guard Dana Evans from the Dallas Wings in exchange for rookie Shyla Heal, the team announced today. As part of the trade, Dallas also receives a third-round draft pick (2022) from Chicago as well as the option to swap first-round picks with the Sky in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Evans comes to Chicago following an illustrious career at the University of Louisville, which led her to be drafted by the Wings in the second round (No. 13 overall) of the 2021 WNBA Draft. At Louisville, Evans earned AP and USBWA First-team All-American honors in 2021, was a two-time ACC Player of the Year (2020, 2021) and a two-time First-team All-ACC member (2020, 2021).
“I’m blessed and thankful for this opportunity to play for the Chicago Sky,” Evans said. “I’ll be closer to home and be able to learn from one of the best point guards in the league. I can’t wait to put on that jersey!”
Upon successful completion of the trade, Heal was placed on waivers by the Wings. Originally picked up by the Sky with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, Heal competed in four games for Chicago, averaging 2.0 points, 0.8 assists and 0.8 rebounds across 7.8 minutes per game.
“It’s tough, but due to visa issues and injuries, Shyla wasn’t getting the chance to prove herself here, and it was unfair.” Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade said. “This team isn’t the same team we initially expected Shyla to play with, so we had to adjust. Trading her salary allows for us to bring in more veterans, which we will do, allowing our team to be more complete and also protecting us from anything that could happen down the road. We always have to be prepared.”
Wade also announced the team has waived Stephanie Watts and temporarily released Lexie Brown, who will rejoin the Sky at a later date once the team is formally granted a hardship exception by the league.
The Sky took their first trip to the West Coast today, heading to Phoenix from Chicago to face the Mercury on Thursday, June 3 at Phoenix Suns Arena. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. CT (7:00 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast locally on WCIU’s The U and nationally on CBS Sports Network.