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Chicago Sky re-sign Adut Bulgak, sign Astou Ndour

By Ben Dull

UNCASVILLE, CT - AUGUST 25: Chicago Sky center Adut Bulgak (3) hits Connecticut Sun guard Alex Bentley (20) in the forehead as she drives to the basket during the second half of an WNBA game between Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun on August 25, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Chicago defeated Connecticut 96-83. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT - AUGUST 25: Chicago Sky center Adut Bulgak (3) hits Connecticut Sun guard Alex Bentley (20) in the forehead as she drives to the basket during the second half of an WNBA game between Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun on August 25, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Chicago defeated Connecticut 96-83. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Sky have re-signed Adut Bulgak, who joined the team last year on a rest of season contract after it was announced that Keisha Hampton (knee) would miss the remainder of the 2017 season. The team has also signed 6’5 center Astou Ndour.

Bulgak, a 6’4 forward, signed with the Sky in late August and appeared in five games. She has appeared in just 12 games in two seasons after being selected with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty out of Florida State.

Bulgak said the following in a team release:

"I’m very excited to be back with the Sky for the 2018 season. I’m very optimistic about the future of this franchise and I’m ready to come in, play my role and help advance this program."

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Bulgak was released by the Liberty during the 2016 season. She resurfaced early in 2017, signing a training camp contract with the San Antonio Stars.

The stage is set for multiple players to compete for backup minutes up front in Chicago. The Sky re-signed All-Star restricted free agent Stefanie Dolson and signed 2017 No. 2 overall pick Alaina Coates, who will make her WNBA debut in 2018 after missing the 2017 season after undergoing ankle surgery.

Bulgak, Cheyenne Parker and Jordan Hooper are set to return in the frontcourt along with Dolson and Coates. The team also recently signed Alex Montgomery, a veteran wing capable of sliding up a position as Tamera Young often did in the first half of last season.

Chicago head coach and general manager Amber Stocks said the following about Bulgak’s game:

"Adut was a great addition to our team last year, so having her here from the beginning this season will be good for us. Adut’s skill set, shooting ability and defensive intensity fit well with our style of play. She is a team player who understands our philosophy. I am pleased to have her back."

Ndour appeared in 38 games in two seasons with the San Antonio Stars. Prior to being drafted, she had already played three seasons for Gran Canaria in Liga ACB in Spain. The Stars selected Ndour with the 16th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 WNBA Draft.

The Sky acquired Ndour in February of 2017 in a trade with the Stars in exchange for Clarissa Dos Santos. She was suspended for the entire season due to an unspecified injury.

The Sky are projected to add some dynamic young talent through the draft as well. They hold the No. 3 and No. 4 overall picks in the upcoming draft. In his latest mock draft, The Summitt’s Howard Megdal has the Sky selecting Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams.

Chicago’s roster will be headlined by Dolson, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot. That core will be surrounded by a lot of youth. Stocks will have plenty of new lineup combinations to experiment with in 2018. The tallest task comes in replacing Jessica Breland, who signed with the Atlanta Dream this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Perhaps Coates will be the answer with the starting group alongside Dolson. One of the returning players may nab that spot, or one of Chicago’s first round selections may shine there when given the opportunity.

Related Story: Chicago Sky re-sign Jamierra Faulkner

The Sky have been busy in building their backcourt as well, re-signing All-Star designated core player Allie Quigley and three-year veteran Jamierra Faulkner. Faulkner’s signing offsets the loss of Cappie Pondexter, who recently signed with the Los Angeles Sparks.

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