“You need to call her”: WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes urges Chicago Sky to sign Aari McDonald

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has urged the Chicago Sky to contact Caitlin Clark's proxy Aari McDonald on the Indiana Fever. During her appearance on "The Women's Hoops Show" on Wednesday, the four-time WNBA champion expressed her thoughts on the performances of different teams in the women's basketball league.

During one segment, Swoopes and the show's host Jordan discussed the point guard situation of the Chicago Sky. The WNBA legend highlighted that Courtney Vandersloot's absence is quite visible on the Sky squad as they seem lost without her.

She remarked that the Sky should contact Aari McDonald, who measures 5-foot-6, if she is let go from the Fever after Caitlin Clark's return.

"Personally, I think Aari McDonald should stay at Indiana," Swoopes said. (50:52) "She is making a big difference on that team. When Caitlin gets back, they gotta get rid of somebody, and if it's Aari McDonald, Chicago you need to call her. You need a point guard, you need an experienced point guard!"

Chicago Sky's starting point guard, Courtney Vandersloot, suffered an ACL injury in her team's 79-85 loss against the Fever on Saturday. While they have Ariel Atkins and Hailey Van Lith as the backup guards, neither of them is as efficient as Vandersloot on the court.

The Fever had acquired Aari McDonald through an emergency hardship contract after all the main roster guards were sidelined with injury. McDonald has had an immediate impact on the Fever squad, leading them to a two-game win streak after her arrival.

She has displayed her expertise in the role of a floor general but according to WNBA rules, the Fever would have to let go of McDonald when Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham come back on the roster. So there is a window for the Sky to make a move and grab the veteran guard, but they would also need to make some sacrifices to make room for her both on the roster and in cap space.

---

Fever coach Stephanie Whites gives key update on Caitlin Clark's injury rehab

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark suffered a left quadriceps strain in her team's 90-88 loss against the NY Liberty on May 24. The 2024 Rookie of the Year was then sidelined for future matches with no definite timestamp on her return.

Since then, Clark has been in rehab to fix her body and get back on the court as soon as possible. Sophie Cunningham is another guard who is sidelined because of an ankle injury.

Following Thursday's practice ahead of the Fever's second matchup against the defending champions on Saturday, coach Stephanie White provided key updates on Clark and Cunningham's recovery.

"I mean, we limited their reps but really tried to get them up and down the floor a little bit, start to try to get into game rhythm, game speed, game pace," White told Chloe Peterson. "Timing's a little bit off, rhythm a little bit off. But continuing to try to work them in as much as we could."

Before getting injured, Caitlin Clark was averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game.