Dana Evans knows her role.
She’s a scoring point guard. At least, that’s the position she sees as her best fit. It’s where she has played her entire career until this season. Evans’ role has fluctuated considerably since she was pulled from the starting lineup after the first 12 games.
Last week, Evans’ role became a hot topic on social media after her marketing manager shared a thread on X expressing displeasure with her diminished minutes. The post read, in part: “Team didn’t want to move her when she requested a trade and didn’t want to move her at trade deadline. Yet [bring] in another point guard. Make it make sense.”
Ahead of the Sky’s game against the Mystics on Wednesday, Evans said she didn’t request a trade. But she was transparent about her desired role.
“I’m a point guard,” Evans said. “Everyone knows that I can score. I don’t know why that’s so hard to understand. Other point guards throughout this league can average 15-plus points, and it’s never a discussion. Because I’m small, it’s a problem that I can score the ball.”
Evans was averaging 10.3 points and 3.8 assists as the Sky’s starting point guard.
Since the Sky traded Marina Mabrey in July and acquired point guard Moriah Jefferson and shooting guard Rachel Banham, Evans again has seen her role shift.
Coach Teresa Weatherspoon said she had a long discussion with Evans, and her request is that she focus on scoring.
“I want Dana to know she can score the ball and don’t be afraid to do so,” Weatherspoon said. “There’s ways we do things within our system. Dana’s great here. Dana’s absolutely great, and we’re happy to have her.”
In July, Evans told the Sun-Times that she always saw a future with the Sky but added, “I don’t think that’s what they see.” Evans said she had a lot of unanswered questions.
Several trade discussions included Evans, but none aligned with the Sky’s priorities, which have been stockpiling draft assets since Jeff Pagliocca took over as general manager.
Evans will be a restricted free agent after the season, meaning the Sky will have the right of first refusal, so they can match any offer Evans receives.
She was pragmatic when asked if she would like to stay in Chicago.
“Everyone knows I love Chicago,” Evans said. “It’s like home to me. My parents are able to come to every game, so I would love to [stay].
‘‘But you have to do what’s best for you and your career. Right now, I’m here. I’m competing with the Chicago Sky, so that’s my main focus for the rest of the season.”
Coaching changes
Crystal Robinson has been absent from Sky practices and games since the Olympic break. Pagliocca told the Sun-Times she is no longer part of the coaching staff.
This news comes almost two weeks after Weatherspoon told the media that she was still part of the team’s staff. At the time, Weatherspoon said, “That will be a conversation I have with [Pagliocca],” when asked if Robinson was still part of the coaching staff despite her absence and removal from the team’s game notes.
Pagliocca said the reason for her departure was to pursue other professional opportunities.
Player development coach David Simon has been elevated to assistant coach.