The Chicago Sky are the WNBA’s most confusing team
COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 5: Azura Stevens #23 of the Los Angeles Sparks shoots the ball before a game between Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on September 5, 2025 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
Stevens is a very talented forward who took on a starter role for the Sparks during a rebuilding era, and will now head back to Chicago. Stevens was part of the 2021 Sky Championship squad, but things look a lot different in Chicago these days, and Stevens is now a veteran player in her return.
Breaking: Azurá Stevens has agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Chicago Sky, sources told ESPN.
The 6-foot-6 forward is coming off a career year with the Sparks, where she averaged 12.8 PPG, 38.1% 3PT, 8.0 RPG and 2.1 APG, finishing second in MIP voting pic.twitter.com/sdobPHHgI2
First of all, Azura, get your bag. The grade isn’t about that. It’s more about the confusion in the way the Chicago Sky are moving. Are you tanking, or are you trying to be competitive? Signing veterans like Skylar Diggins and Stevens appear to be win-now moves, but Angel Reese was just traded away. You appear set to give up Ariel Atkins in a presumed trade, who is a player you traded away the No. 3 pick in 2025 (Sonia Citron) for. Getting back Rickea Jackson (reportedly) would be a good move. Yet, just today, the Sky traded away their 2028 first-round pick for Jacy Sheldon… make it make sense?
The Sky are currently tied for the second-worst odds to win the WNBA Championship in 2026. They also gave the Mystics the right to swap first-round picks with them in 2027, and now outright gave them their 2028 pick.
This is more a grade on the Sky’s choices than Azura as a prospect. She raises their level of play substantially and will be an excellent floor spacer around Kamilla Cardoso. The fact that she’s on a three-year deal probably impacts the overall money she will make, but that also locks her in to another rebuilding team for three years. Overall this has just been a strange offseason for the Sky, so it’s hard to give this move too high of marks.
COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 5: Azura Stevens #23 of the Los Angeles Sparks shoots the ball before a game between Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on September 5, 2025 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
When Nneka Ogwumike committed to go back to the LA Sparks, it was clear Azura Stevens was likely heading out the door.
Stevens is a very talented forward who took on a starter role for the Sparks during a rebuilding era, and will now head back to Chicago. Stevens was part of the 2021 Sky Championship squad, but things look a lot different in Chicago these days, and Stevens is now a veteran player in her return.
Breaking: Azurá Stevens has agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Chicago Sky, sources told ESPN. The 6-foot-6 forward is coming off a career year with the Sparks, where she averaged 12.8 PPG, 38.1% 3PT, 8.0 RPG and 2.1 APG, finishing second in MIP voting pic.twitter.com/sdobPHHgI2
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 11, 2026
Grading Azura Stevens to the Chicago Sky: C
First of all, Azura, get your bag. The grade isn’t about that. It’s more about the confusion in the way the Chicago Sky are moving. Are you tanking, or are you trying to be competitive? Signing veterans like Skylar Diggins and Stevens appear to be win-now moves, but Angel Reese was just traded away. You appear set to give up Ariel Atkins in a presumed trade, who is a player you traded away the No. 3 pick in 2025 (Sonia Citron) for. Getting back Rickea Jackson (reportedly) would be a good move. Yet, just today, the Sky traded away their 2028 first-round pick for Jacy Sheldon… make it make sense?
The Sky are currently tied for the second-worst odds to win the WNBA Championship in 2026. They also gave the Mystics the right to swap first-round picks with them in 2027, and now outright gave them their 2028 pick.
This is more a grade on the Sky’s choices than Azura as a prospect. She raises their level of play substantially and will be an excellent floor spacer around Kamilla Cardoso. The fact that she’s on a three-year deal probably impacts the overall money she will make, but that also locks her in to another rebuilding team for three years. Overall this has just been a strange offseason for the Sky, so it’s hard to give this move too high of marks.
#Deadspin #scoring #drought #Real #Salt #Lake #face #revitalized #Timbers">Deadspin | Amid scoring drought, Real Salt Lake face revitalized Timbers
Apr 26, 2026; Carson, California, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) fights for the ball against LA Galaxy defender John Nelson (14) during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
After collecting 16 points in their first seven MLS contests, Real Salt Lake are in a power outage, scoring just one goal in their last 225 minutes of play, while losing their last two matches.
When they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday in Sandy, Utah, Real Salt Lake will try to remedy their sputtering offense.
After struggling through a busy stretch in which it played three matches in a span of eight days, Salt Lake (5-3-1, 16 points) enters with a week of rest and plenty of time to figure out what went wrong.
“As a group, we need to own everything and put our best foot forward to do our best in this next match against Portland,” Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said.
Zavier Gozo (two goals, four assists), one of two teenagers in the lineup for Real Salt Lake, leads their attacking style. Diego Luna (two goals, three assists) and Sergi Solans (five goals) also have led the offense.
“Gozo, I think, has been a revelation for them. He’s a young kid that we saw last year who’s developing, who’s maturing, who’s becoming one of their most important players,” Portland coach Phil Neville said.
The Timbers (3-5-1, 10 points) are looking for their second straight road win following a 2-1 victory last Saturday at San Diego.
Alex Bonetig scored the first goal of his MLS career six minutes into second-half stoppage time as Portland snapped its string of road league matches without a win, which dated back to August of last year, at 12.
“It was big for the whole organization, winning away from home,” Neville said. ” … Mentally, psychologically, I think it’s important.”
Kristoffer Velde (three goals) paces a balanced attack, which has produced 13 goals from 10 different players.
The Timbers lead the series 16-14-12 all-time. They knocked RSL out of the playoffs last year with a 3-1 wild-card win in Portland as Felipe Mora scored a brace.
“I’m sure they remember that as well, that we sent them home early,” Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis said. “It’s not going to be an easy game. It’s a road game, altitude challenge. We’re looking to build momentum off last week.”
#Deadspin #Iran #officials #aim #meet #FIFA #discuss #World #Cup #issues">Deadspin | Iran officials aim to meet with FIFA, discuss World Cup issues
Nov 29, 2022; Doha, Qatar; Iran defender Abolfazl Jalali (25) dribbles the ball against the United States of America during the second half of a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images
Soccer officials from Iran are intent on meeting with FIFA’s leadership about its upcoming World Cup matches in the United States.
Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer administration, informed Iranian media Friday that the country’s soccer leadership has issues it wants to discuss with the international governing body. Iran was the only FIFA federation among the 211 member countries without representation at this week’s FIFA congress in Vancouver.
That meeting is expected to happen before May 20 at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the Associated Press reported.
Taj gave further insight to an incident this week when he and the other traveling members of the Iran delegation had issues getting into Toronto while on the way to Vancouver for the FIFA congress. Canadian immigration authorities questioned Taj about ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
They were reportedly detained for two hours before being told they could continue on to Vancouver but instead elected to leave the country.
“We all had visas and were even checked in Turkey. They told us they had questions for you and asked if we were members of the IRGC,” Taj said, according to Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim.
“We told them that there are 90 million IRGC members in Iran. They said that we don’t allow people from this organization in. They said that it is the laws of our country.
“After a while, they said you can enter but we decided to return. They didn’t deport us and we decided to return ourselves… I told the Canadians that you kept us at the ?airport ?for three hours, you made us wait for nothing.”
There has been much speculation about whether Iran would be able and/or willing to participate in this summer’s World Cup in North America in the aftermath of the U.S. and Israel launching a dual military attack against Iran in February.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said at Thursday’s annual congress that Iran will be coming to the U.S. and playing as scheduled in the event. This goes against Iran’s request in March for its matches to be moved to Mexico.
Iran, which is in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, is scheduled to have its base camp set up in Tucson, Ariz. The team is set to play two group-stage matches in Inglewood, Calif. (June 15 and 21) before closing group play in Seattle on June 26.
#Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #Dame">Deadspin | Four-star 2027 QB prospect Wonderful Monds IV commits to Notre Dame
Vero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.
Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.
Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.
His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.
At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.
With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.
Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.
Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.
Post Comment