Chicago basketball report: No Michael Jordan at the United Center; Rebekah Gardner’s injury impact; Alex Caruso’s steals

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Michael Jordan did not make a highly anticipated return to the United Center last weekend.

Alex Caruso is making the case for another All-NBA defensive selection as he powers the Chicago Bulls with steals.

A potentially season-ending Achilles injury draws uncertainty around the future for Rebekah Gardner and the Chicago Sky.

And a busy stretch in Chicago college basketball featured a new career scoring record at Northwestern, a jersey number retirement at DePaul and an important challenge for Loyola.

Every Wednesday throughout the season, Tribune writers will provide an update on what happened — and what’s ahead — for the Bulls, Sky and local basketball.

No return to Chicago for Michael Jordan in Chris Chelios’ celebration

Despite excitement from fans — and a hopeful teaser from Chris Chelios himself — Michael Jordan did not make a return to the United Center on Sunday.

The Blackhawks retired No. 7 to honor Chelios on Sunday in a day full of fanfare, including appearances from former Bulls player Dennis Rodman and Patrick Kane’s first return to Chicago with the Detroit Red Wings. Jordan was not in attendance due to a death in the family, but he sent a video celebrating Chelios as a Chicago sports legend and a personal friend. The pair defined Chicago sports throughout the ’90s.

“You’re a very deserving man and I’m proud to see your jersey up there with my jersey,” Jordan said in the video. “You and I have been friends for 30 years, so I wish you the best. I send a bunch of love.”

Rebekah Gardner suffers Achilles injury

The Chicago Sky face new uncertainty in their free agency process after guard Rebekah Gardner ruptured her right Achilles in an overseas game Thursday.

The injury occurred while Gardner was playing for Spanish club Spar Girona. Gardner had only played four games with Spar Girona after missing most of last season for the Sky with a broken left foot. The injury could mean she will miss the entirety of the 2024 WNBA season.

Gardner is in a unique position after making her WNBA debut at age 31 in the 2022 season with the Sky. She was scouted out of Europe by former coach and general manager James Wade and immediately made an impact in a franchise-record 26-win season as a defense-first wing who can spark the Sky offense in transition.

WNBA offseason tracker: Chicago Sky acquire another 2024 first-round draft pick in trade with Los Angeles Sparks

As an unrestricted free agent this summer, Gardner has yet to sign the qualifying offer extended to her by the Sky. In a news conference held one day before the injury occurred last week, general manager Jeff Pagliocca said the Sky were still eager to bring the wing back to Chicago.

“We’re still in ongoing conversations with Rebekah,” Pagliocca said. “All those options are very real. She’s a player we have a lot of respect for, a player that was very good here, that kind of fits into our philosophy and our identity. But we’re still having conversations with her and time will tell.”

Boo Buie breaks Northwestern’s all-time scoring record

The Northwestern men’s basketball team has a new career scoring record.

Fifth-year senior Boo Buie sank a 3-pointer in the first half of Thursday’s game against Michigan to become the new scoring leader for the Wildcats, surpassing the 2,038-point benchmark set by John Shurna in 2012. Buie’s 16-point performance helped lift Northwestern to a comeback win over the Wolverines.

Buie’s teammates donned white headbands after the game to pay homage to their leading scorer.

“That really made me feel loved,” Buie said. “That was special.”

Buie took the extra year of eligibility the NCAA offered to students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21. He has now scored 2,050 points in his career with the Wildcats.

With the Wildcats tied for third in the Big Ten through Monday, Buie was fourth in the conference in scoring (18.9 points per game) and assists (5.2 per game). Northwestern is seeking consecutive NCAA Tournament berths for the first time in program history.

Loyola prepares for biggest regular-season test

The Ramblers have been rolling at a breakneck pace this season — and Friday’s home game against No. 21 Dayton poses their biggest test yet.

Loyola entered Tuesday night’s game at Saint Bonaventure on a seven-game winning streak and tied with Richmond for first place in the Atlantic 10, one game ahead of Dayton. But Loyola lost, 79-64, while Dayton defeated Davidson 80-66.

Friday’s game will be the Ramblers’ first against a Top 25 team since November when they lost by 23 to then-No. 8 Creighton.

This has already been a redefining season for Loyola, which finished in last place a year ago in its inaugural season in the Atlantic 10.

DePaul retires Diana Vines’ number

The No. 40 jersey was enshrined over the Wintrust Arena court on Sunday to honor Diana Vines, the all-time leading scorer among men and women at DePaul.

Vines played for the Blue Demons from 1985 to 1989, during which time she set the program scoring record at 2,504 points. That milestone has not been touched since, even by Chicago Sky legend Allie Quigley. Vines was a two-time All-American and led DePaul to a WNIT title in 1988 when she also won the WNIT MVP.

Number of the week: 23

Alex Caruso has recorded at least two steals in 23 games this season after logging five steals in a loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Caruso has recorded 73 steals this season, which places him 10th in the league. He averages 1.5 steals per game, which ties him for seventh in the league with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić.

The consistency of Caruso’s two-steal games will be an important factor in his bid for a second consecutive All-NBA defensive selection.

Week ahead: Bulls

  • Wednesday: Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
  • Thursday: Off
  • Friday: Milwaukee Bucks, 9 p.m., ESPN
  • Saturday: Off
  • Sunday: Off
  • Monday: @ Sacramento Kings, 9 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
  • Tuesday: Off

What we’re reading this morning

This week in Chicago basketball

University of Illinois “Whiz Kids” in 1943. From left, Andy Phillip, Ken Menke, Art Mathisen, Jack Smiley, Gene Vance. (Courtesy of University of Illinois)

March 1, 1943: One of Illinois’ most famous basketball teams, the “Whiz Kids,” played its final regular-season game, a 92-25 victory over Northwestern. Nicknamed by WGN broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, each of the five starters stood about 6-foot-3 and could shoot, dribble, rebound and play defense.

But the team did not play in the 1943 NCAA Tournament despite a 17-0 record and second straight Big Ten title.

When the regular season ended, all five Whiz Kids — Andy Phillip, Gene Vance, Jack Smiley, Ken Menke and Art Mathisen — went into military service due to World War II.

“I’m 99% sure we would have won (the NCAA Tournament),” Menke said.

Quotable

“I would love to continue to be a Bull. I love it here. I love the opportunity that we have to build the culture, build something special with this group and this team. I think I’m a really good cornerstone piece for this team.” — Patrick Williams on his outlook after suffering a season-ending injury 

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