Courtney Vandersloot's partner Allie Quigley lays bare her soul in emotional message as she bids long-awaited 'Irish Goodbye'

Courtney Vandersloot's wife, Allie Quigley, spent 15 seasons in the WNBA after fighting to make a roster at the beginning of her career. Once she found a spot with the Chicago Sky and got comfortable, though, she became one of the best role players in the league. After spending a decade with the Sky and not playing for the last three seasons, the veteran guard has finally announced her retirement.

In the Players' Tribune on Tuesday, Quigley compared her exit to an Irish Goodbye, which involves a stealthy exit to avoid long goodbyes or awkward farewells.

The 38-year-old guard took the time to thank the people who helped her get to where she is now, including Vandersloot.

"I mean, literally — if you’d told me on that first car ride of ours together, everything the future had in store, I think I wouldn’t have believed you," Quigley said about her journey with Vandersloot. "Courtney, I’m so grateful we found each other. I think our best days are ahead of us. And as we start this new chapter of our lives, and guide Baby Jana through this world together, I’m so glad I get to be on your team."

The 5-foot-10 guard had a lot of success during her time in Chicago. She won the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year award in 2014 and 2015 and made the All-Star team three times. She helped the Sky reach the playoffs eight times and won the 2021 championship alongside Vandersloot.

Quigley and Vandersloot had their first child, Jana, on April 8.

Courtney Vandersloot sends 4-word message to Allie Quigley to celebrate her career

After Quigley's article went up on the Players' Tribune, Vandersloot expressed her appreciation for her wife on Instagram.

Vandersloot holds her wife in the highest regard, both as a person and a basketball player.

"The best there is!" said Vandersloot about Quigley.

The duo will be teammates long after their time in the WNBA comes to a complete close as they raise their daughter. However, their names will sit next to one another in the Sky's franchise record books.

Unfortunately for Vandersloot, her 2025 season ended after just seven games when she tore her right ACL against the Indiana Fever.

The injury will sideline her for close to a year, putting her free agency into question. The veteran guard will be 37 next season as she looks for a new contract. While teams have signed guards at that age in the WNBA, it is becoming rare.

About the author

Zachary Howell is an NBA and WNBA journalist at Sportskeeda with a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University and over a year of experience in the field.

Being introduced to the digital side of content inspired Zachary to become a writer, and his love of basketball made this an obvious transition.

His favorite team is the OKC Thunder, and Zachary started following them in 2011 when they were on the rise with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. His favorite basketball players from the past are Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal. Those three came to define their eras of basketball and were dominant without beating their chests too much. Zachary is a big fan of quiet greatness and these three players are good embodiments of that.

When not writing or watching sports, Zachary enjoys reading and exercising, as well as gaming. He loves to be outside and spend time with friends and family, including his three dogs.

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Edited by Zachary Howell