The Chicago Sky has signed Kiara Hood from Blue Island, Illinois to a one-day contract for Friday, August 21 when the team takes on the Washington Mystics at Allstate Arena (7:30 p.m. CT). The Sky, in partnership with La Rabida Children’s Hospital, will host 14-year-old Kiara and her family for the day and fulfill Kiara’s dream of being a professional basketball player.

“Through her perseverance, determination and sheer grit in the face of adversity she displays all of the qualities that we want to be a part of our team,” said Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. “It’s just a natural fit for us.”

Kiara, who has hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and her family joined the Sky Friday morning for shoot-around at Allstate Arena where they met the entire team and coaching staff. At a press conference following shoot-around, Kiara was formally signed to the team and took questions from media.

“They are such an amazing team,” said Hood. “I like how they support each other and motivate each other to keep on going.”

For Friday night’s game, Kiara and her family will also enjoy pre-game shootaround courtside at Allstate Arena. In addition, they are enjoying the following experiences:

•      A tour of the Sky locker room at Allstate Arena
•      Sky gear including a jersey, shooting shirt and backpack
•      Lunch for the entire family at RAM in Rosemont
•      Limousine service to and from the game provided by O’Hare Midway Limousine
•      Hotel room at Sheraton Chicago O’Hare

Kiara has been going to La Rabida for most of her life, working closely with a group of therapists. The hemiplegic cerebral palsy makes the left side of her body weak. In May, Kiara had a surgery on her left ankle and foot and was admitted for rehab at La Rabida in June.

“Anything that we’re going to face this season doesn’t compare to the obstacles that she’s had to overcome,” said Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne. “It really just puts things into perspective. I aspire to have that type of fight in me.”

This experience was made possible through Magellan Corporation. As part of its continued commitment to philanthropy, Magellan Corporation and the Chicago Sky have collaborated this season to help promote a number of the charitable organizations including La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Gilda’s Club, The Old Town School of Folk Music, and the DuSable Museum of African American History.