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Watch: Kahleah Copper gets tribute video upon Chicago return ahead of Sky vs Mercury clash
WNBA All-Star wing and Team USA member Kahleah Copper made her first return to Chicago on Wednesday to take on her former team. She was feted with a video tribute during the warm-ups.
The 29-year-old former Rutgers star spent seven years with the Sky, helping the team win the 2021 WNBA title, where she was adjudged Finals MVP. She was, however, traded in the offseason to the Phoenix Mercury, with whom she continues to shine.
In the video tribute, clips of Kahleah Copper's journey with the Sky as well as her time with the community in the Windy City were featured. She reciprocated the gesture by acknowleging the Chicago crowd, who trekked to catch the Sky play the Mercury in their first game back following the Olympic break.
Watch how the Sky paid tribute to their former star below:
Kahleah Copper was solid in her return to her former home, leading the Mercury to a dominant 85-65 victory. She finished with a game-high 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting and 3-of-5 from deep, along with three assists and two rebounds in 35 minutes of play.
Center Brittney Griner backstopped her with all-around numbers of 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals.
Phoenix raced to a 30-12 advantage at the end of the opening quarter. They never looked back from there en route to the victory that improved them to 14-12 for the season.
Next game for the Mercury is a showdown with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Friday on the road.
Kahleah Copper excited for her return to Chicago
Prior to facing off with her former team in Chicago, Phoenix Mercury All-Star guard Kahleah Copper said she was excited to be back in the Windy City.
During media availability on Wednesday, the four-time WNBA All-Star, who was traded by the Sky to the Mercury in the offseason, shared her thoughts on being back in the place where she blossomed into a true star, saying, (via Burn City Sports):
"I'm excited to be back. So many people that I want to see, the fanbase, I am super excited to be back. We got to come here a few days early, so I got to just soak all in and soak the city in, just being here and enjoying it."
Kahleah Copper spent seven seasons with the Sky and had career averages of 12 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per game in 224 games.
In his first season in Phoenix, she continues to soar, averaging 23.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 2.2 apg. She is coming off a gold medal-winning stint with Team USA in the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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