Sometimes, all's well that ends well. Cards great Dana Evans has a WNBA Championship ring after her rookie season in the league.
Few would have imagined that at the start of the season. Evans did not go as high in the 2021 WNBA draft and getting selected by Dallas in thee second round caused a more than a few to scratch their heads in bewilderment. As for Dana, she seemed happy just to be in the league. Playing time was scant in "Big D", though. and Evans was part of a multi-player trade deal that sent her to the Sky. Chicago was where a lot of people thought she might initially go...and head Sky coach James Wade eventually admitted that he probably should have insisted they draft her originally.
Dana moved into the role of Courtney Vandersloot's backup at point guard. She wasn't far from her hometown of Gary, IN and that's the way life went for her during the regular season.
The Sky managed a 13-13 season and managed to sneak their way into the WNBA playoffs. But, the team looked to be jelling. They were getting good performances from "Ace" Parker, Sloot and Quigley were effective at guard and Kaleigh Copper providing a huge spark with her scoring.
Dana was contributing as well and her steady play and three-point shooting helped keep Chicago rolling in the playoffs. She created a sensation with her three threes to end game three.
Eventually, it came down to the powerful Mercury and the upstart Sky in the finals. Imagine how exciting this had to be for Dana...
She created a lot of attention in game three with her three game-ending three-pointers. And, the Sky capped off an incredible feat by outscoring the powerful Mercury 11-0 at the end of game four -- creating a four-point lead and securing the franchise's first title.
For Dana, it was joy and redemption. Only she and Myisha Hines-Allen are Cards WBB players with WNBA Championships as part of their resumes.
The girl who critics said was too small and not strong enough to do well in the WNBA had the last laugh.
Cards fans, be proud of the diminutive but dynamic Dana. Be happy about her turn-around story. And, never count Dana out of anything.
--sonja--
Few would have imagined that at the start of the season. Evans did not go as high in the 2021 WNBA draft and getting selected by Dallas in thee second round caused a more than a few to scratch their heads in bewilderment. As for Dana, she seemed happy just to be in the league. Playing time was scant in "Big D", though. and Evans was part of a multi-player trade deal that sent her to the Sky. Chicago was where a lot of people thought she might initially go...and head Sky coach James Wade eventually admitted that he probably should have insisted they draft her originally.
Dana moved into the role of Courtney Vandersloot's backup at point guard. She wasn't far from her hometown of Gary, IN and that's the way life went for her during the regular season.
The Sky managed a 13-13 season and managed to sneak their way into the WNBA playoffs. But, the team looked to be jelling. They were getting good performances from "Ace" Parker, Sloot and Quigley were effective at guard and Kaleigh Copper providing a huge spark with her scoring.
Dana was contributing as well and her steady play and three-point shooting helped keep Chicago rolling in the playoffs. She created a sensation with her three threes to end game three.
Eventually, it came down to the powerful Mercury and the upstart Sky in the finals. Imagine how exciting this had to be for Dana...
She created a lot of attention in game three with her three game-ending three-pointers. And, the Sky capped off an incredible feat by outscoring the powerful Mercury 11-0 at the end of game four -- creating a four-point lead and securing the franchise's first title.
For Dana, it was joy and redemption. Only she and Myisha Hines-Allen are Cards WBB players with WNBA Championships as part of their resumes.
The girl who critics said was too small and not strong enough to do well in the WNBA had the last laugh.
Cards fans, be proud of the diminutive but dynamic Dana. Be happy about her turn-around story. And, never count Dana out of anything.
--sonja--
