CHICAGO — Courtney Vandersloot knew Thursday night would be emotional the moment the Chicago Sky announced their 2025 home opener at Wintrust Arena. But what she didn’t anticipate was just how profound it would feel to be back — this time with her newborn daughter in the crowd, watching her mom take the court.
It marked Vandersloot’s first time stepping into the home locker room at Wintrust Arena in two years, since leaving the Chicago Sky following the team’s historic WNBA championship run in 2021. The crowd roared as she was introduced, many fans holding signs welcoming her back to the Windy City — a place where she became a franchise icon.
“This night was going to be emotional no matter what,” Vandersloot said. “But having my daughter in the stands for my first game back in Chicago — that’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
The 2025 Chicago Sky home opener brought a mix of nostalgia and celebration, as fans embraced the return of one of the WNBA’s most respected veterans. Vandersloot, now suiting up for a different team, still received a hero’s welcome. Her years as the Sky’s floor general — leading the league in assists and guiding the team to playoff victories — remain fresh in the hearts of Chicago fans.
Beyond the stats and accolades, Thursday’s game carried a deeper, more personal weight. For Vandersloot, who became a mother during the offseason, the moment represented a powerful intersection of professional pride and personal joy.
“To be back here, in this arena, and to have my daughter here — it’s surreal,” she said.
As the game tipped off, the crowd inside Wintrust stood in full support — not just for the Sky, but for a woman who helped define an era of Chicago basketball.
