CHICAGO – The Chicago Sky announced today that center Jantel Lavender will undergo surgery to repair a fracture in her left foot, an injury suffered in the third quarter of Chicago’s game at Las Vegas on Aug. 9.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. Kelly Hynes at the University of Chicago Medicine in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Expected recovery time is eight to nine weeks.

“Jantel’s leadership and spirit will stay with us as she gets through this injury and as we get through it as a team,” said Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade. “The responsibility Jantel takes and her on-the-floor leadership – it’s a big blow to us. We are sad, but it gives her teammates the opportunity to step up in her absence. We will get through it.”

Lavender, a nine-year veteran, All-Star, and WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, has started in 22 of 23 games with the Sky this season, averaging 10 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.