Chicago native Ixhelt González is anchoring the U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
González scored 15 points in a 73-44 blowout of Germany in the opening round. Her most important contribution is on the boards, where she is leading the team with 6.7 rebounds per game.
A graduate of St. Francis de Sales in south Chicago, González first learned to play wheelchair basketball through a league with the Chicago Parks District, inspired by her older brother who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Despite being one of the youngest members of the American roster, the 20-year-old is no stranger to the Paralympic stakes. González made her first national team at age 13 and featured for Team USA in the Tokyo Games at 17. She was named MVP of the U25 World Championship in Thailand last year.
After a 2-1 finish in the group stage, the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Lonzo Ball continues to participate in 5-on-5 runs with NBA opponents
After being cleared for contact scrimmaging at the start of August, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has continued to participate in casual runs against NBA players like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV.
Long-time NBA trainer Chris Johnson shared a pair of full-length videos of these scrimmages, which took place at Jus Hoop in Los Angeles. Although the scrimmages don’t replicate full-speed game action, they do showcase the highest range of mobility and motion that Ball has been able to produce since he initially injured his meniscus in January 2022, leading to three surgeries and lengthy setbacks.
Latest look at Lonzo Ball's progress in 5v5 scrimmaging from a video posted by longtime NBA trainer Chris Johnson.
Open run featuring fellow NBA players like Jaren Jackson Jr. showcasing Lonzo's jumper and some of that passing vision Bulls fans became fond of back in 2021. pic.twitter.com/zFmkZ6oofo
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) August 21, 2024
It’s unfair to judge any aspect of Ball’s readiness for NBA action off clips from an informal scrimmage — even if it’s against fellow NBA talent. However, sustained scrimmaging was the next crucial step for the guard as he continued an injury recovery process that has spanned nearly three years.
Next up: Bulls training camp.
Chicago Sky unveils its new mascot
The Sky introduced fans to their new mascot — Skye the Lioness — at their home game against the Washington Mystics last Wednesday.
The character design for Skye is based on the lion statues that guard the Art Institute of Chicago, adding braids, a Sky bandana and a No. 00 jersey.
The shift to a new mascot came after growing discontent from Sky fans with the team’s long-standing mascot Sky Guy, including a group of fans who made “No more Sky Guy” stickers to pass out at games.
apparently there is a movement growing among Chicago Sky fans pic.twitter.com/0moAMSXeNM
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) June 24, 2024
Sky Guy remained present at the unveiling of the new mascot last week and has remained at ensuing home games, making his future with the team unclear.
Number of the week: 21
The Sky coughed up 21 turnovers against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday in their fifth consecutive loss, dropping the team to 1-7 since the Olympic break. They erred by making those mistakes against the Lynx, who are the most efficient team in the league at scoring off an opponent’s turnovers. Minnesota finished with 27 points off turnovers, a crucial factor in the 79-74 loss for the Sky.
It was the fourth time this season that the Sky have allowed 20 or more turnovers. While the Sky do not lead the league in turnovers — they average 14.4 per game, the fifth-highest among all teams — their turnovers have spiked since the Olympic break, climbing to 15.6 turnovers for the third-highest tally.
What we’re reading this morning
- Angel Reese becomes WNBA’s single-season rebounding leader in Sky loss
- Column: Observations as Chicago awaits the Caleb Williams era, including the White Sox’s historic ways and Craig Counsell’s late-season magic
- Sky are no match for Caitlin Clark and the Fever, falling 100-81 for their 5th loss in a row
- Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark duel for Rookie of the Year offers intriguing subplot for final Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever matchup
- Dana Evans is uncertain about her future with the Sky after a frustrating move out of her starting role
- Steve Kerr returns to the United Center for his DNC speech: ‘I believe leaders should tell the truth’
Sky dates to watch
The Sky seek to snap a five-game losing streak in Tuesday’s road game against the Las Vegas Aces. The game will feature matchups against Olympic gold medalists A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.
The Sky’s playoff hopes will most likely come down to their penultimate game of the regular season: a road matchup against the Atlanta Dream on Sept. 17. The Dream and the Sky are deadlocked in a race for the eighth and final spot in the playoffs with a pair of 11-21 records. The Sky hold the tiebreaker due to a 2-1 series lead over Atlanta, but losing the final matchup could tip the scales and send the Sky crashing out of the postseason standings.
Quote of the week
“If you’re not motivated by getting your ass whooped, then we’ve got a problem. Then don’t put on the uniform. Because you better feel this in your chest.” — Rachel Banham after the Sky’s 100-81 blowout loss to the Indiana Fever
