Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields signed with the Connecticut Sun on Monday, according to ESPN women's basketball reporter Alexa Philippou.
DeShields, a 1-time All-Star for the Sky, played in 32 games and started in 10 for Chicago last season. She avereaged 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. The 6-foot-1 guard signed a 1-year contract with the Sky last year after suiting up for the Phoenix Mercury in 2022. She won a WNBA championship with Chicago alongside guard Courtney Vandersloot, who officially signed with the Sky on Saturday following two seasons with the New York Liberty.
DeShields will join a Sun squad that features former Sky guard Marina Mabrey, who was one of Chicago's top scoring options in their 2024 campaign. Center Tina Charles, an 8-time All-Star and 2-time WNBA scoring champion, signed with the Sun on Sunday. Former Sky guard Lindsay Allen was sent to the Sun in a Saturday trade that sent guard Rebecca Allen to the Windy City. Connecticut brought in a new head coach in Rachid Meziane in December, who will take the place of now-Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White.
DeShields's departure will leave Chicago with an added need for size outside of the frontcourt and depth at the small forward.
The Sky re-signed forward Michaela Onyenwere on Sunday, keeping a reliable newcomer in town after she finished last season with averages of 6.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. The Sky's additions of Allen and guard Kia Nurse will provide some much-needed shooting guard depth following the departure of Mabrey and guard Chennedy Carter. Even if there is more guard talent to tap into in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Chicago also still has the No. 3 and No. 10 picks if they need to tap into forward talent via the draft. The Sky will also need more big depth should forward Isabelle Harrison move to another squad.