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Chicago Sky fans know Candice Dupree as the Sky’s first-ever draft pick. Dupree was selected sixth overall in the 2006 WNBA Draft after playing four years at Temple University. The Tampa Bay native played in Chicago from 2006 through the 2009 season.
Dupree quickly made her mark in the WNBA in her rookie season, averaging 13.7 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. She was named to the All-Star Team in 2006 but was replaced due to an injury. Despite the Sky’s 5-29 (.147) record, Dupree was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team for her performance. She set several Sky records, including most minutes played in a rookie season (1,032), most field goals made in a rookie season (186) and most field goals attempted in a rookie season (407).
In 2007, Dupree got her chance in the All-Star game, as a reserve. Her stats increased to 16.5 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. With more production out of Dupree, Chicago’s record improved from its first season to 14-20 (.412). In 2009, Dupree helped the Sky to its best record in its first four seasons, 16-18 (.471) as she averaged 15.7 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game. Dupree received her first Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor in June 2009 and was named to the All-Star Team as a starter for the first time in her career.
Prior to the 2010 season, Dupree was traded to the Phoenix Mercury in a three-team trade that sent Cappie Pondexter and Kelly Mazzante to New York from Phoenix and Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld to Chicago.
The 6-2 forward totaled 2,100 points and 980 rebounds in 135 games playing for Chicago. A notable fact is that Dupree didn’t miss a single game in her Sky career, which explains why she is one of the top players in Sky history with the most minutes played (4,422). Dupree will always be a figurative player in Sky franchise history.
