CHICAGO (February 13, 2023) — The Chicago Sky announced today the team has re-signed guard Rebekah Gardner after accepting the qualifying offer. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Rebekah had an outstanding rookie year with us last season,” Chicago Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade said. “She elevated our play with her fantastic defense, high energy and scoring ability. We look forward to her continued growth this season.”
Gardner had a standout rookie year with the Sky last season, where she was named to the 2022 WNBA All-Rookie Team and the 2022 AP All-Rookie Team. Among rookies, Gardner was second in steals (1.4 spg), fifth in scoring (8.4 ppg), fifth in minutes played (21.7 mpg) and was eighth in league in field goal percentage (.542). On July 14, she recorded her first career double-double with a career-high 18 points and 10 rebounds in her hometown of Los Angeles.
This will be Gardner’s second WNBA contract with the Sky, after signing her first last year in February 2022. After going undrafted out of UCLA in the 2012 WNBA Draft, Gardner (6’1”) has since played professionally overseas. She has played with Spanish club Spar CityLift Girona since 2021, where she is averaging 14.0 points and 4.6 rebounds on 56.5% field goal shooting. Last year, she was named Spanish League MVP and a Spanish Cup Finalist in the 2021-2022 season.
“I am beyond excited and thankful to be coming back to Chicago to play in front of the best fans in the league,” Gardner said. “I’m looking forward to joining forces with my new and returning teammates. Can’t wait to get after it this season!”
The Chicago Sky tip off the 2023 season on Friday, May 19 against the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis at 7:00 p.m. CST. Follow @chicagosky on social media and sky.wnba.com for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing.
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