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Chicago Sky sign Alaina Coates, re-sign Jordan Hooper

By Ben Dull

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Alaina Coates smiles when she is being interviewed by ESPN Analyst, Holly Rowe after being drafted number two overall by the Chicago Sky during the WNBA Draft on April 13, 2017 at Samsung 837 in New York, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Alaina Coates smiles when she is being interviewed by ESPN Analyst, Holly Rowe after being drafted number two overall by the Chicago Sky during the WNBA Draft on April 13, 2017 at Samsung 837 in New York, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Sky announced Monday that they have signed 2017 No. 2 overall pick Alaina Coates and re-signed restricted free agent Jordan Hooper.

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Coates missed the entire 2017 WNBA season recovering from ankle surgery. She has been medically cleared to play full contact 5-on-5 for several weeks now.

Update (2/8): Coates in fact will be playing some overseas this offseason. Sopron Basket of Hungary announced Thursday that she has joined the club just in time for the EuroLeague playoffs.

Hooper was acquired as part of the midseason trade between the Sky and the Atlanta Dream. The Sky received Atlanta’s 2018 first round draft pick along with Hooper in exchange for Imani McGee-Stafford, Tamera Young and a second round pick.

Atlanta fell out of playoff contention after the All-Star break. That pick received in the trade will be be the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Chicago also holds its own first round pick (fourth overall).

The Sky were recently hit with official news that starting forward Jessica Breland has signed with the Atlanta Dream. The Sky will need to find a new starter in the frontcourt to pair with All-Star Stefanie Dolson. Dolson is a restricted free agent this summer — The Summitt was able to confirm last week that she has agreed to re-sign with the Sky.

Coates may get the first opportunity to start alongside Dolson. As a knockdown three-point shooter, Hooper also figures to be in the mix for minutes up front to open up the floor on offense for Courtney Vandersloot and All-Star Allie Quigley. The Sky also announced Monday that they had re-signed Quigley, their 2018 designated core player.

With two top-four picks, arguments can be made for the Sky to take the best players available or to think more about fit to help them get to the playoffs in 2018.

Related Story: Chicago Sky Offseason Primer

Version one of The Summitt’s WNBA Draft Big Board has the Sky selecting Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams with the third and fourth overall picks.

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