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Lynx assistant James Wade set to be named Chicago Sky head coach

By Blake DuDonis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 23: Assistant Coach James Wade and Shelley Patterson of the Minnesota Lynx talk during the game against the Dallas Wings on May 23, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 23: Assistant Coach James Wade and Shelley Patterson of the Minnesota Lynx talk during the game against the Dallas Wings on May 23, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As first reported by WNBA Insider, current Minnesota Lynx assistant coach James Wade is set to be named the new head coach of the Chicago Sky. He will also serve as the team’s general manager. It will be his first head coaching opportunity. The official announcement will be made on Tuesday, November 13th at a 12:30 pm ET press conference.

Wade spent the last two seasons on the Lynx staff, helping them win the 2017 WNBA championship. Prior to that, he was an assistant with the then-San Antonio Stars, who have since relocated to Las Vegas and rebranded as the Aces. He also served as an assistant with UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Euroleague team who plays in the Premier Basketball League in Russia.

The news comes several months after the Sky fired Amber Stocks as head coach and GM. Stocks spent two years at the helm, going 23-43 and missing the playoffs both years. With a mix of youthful talent like Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams, plus veteran stars in Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot, the expectations will be high for Wade immediately. Chicago also holds the #4 pick in the 2019 WNBA draft.

Wade will not be wanting to waste much time in building his staff, as the NCAA season has already begun and scouting opportunities will be vital as Chicago prepares for the draft.

Many were expecting the Sky to make an announcement about their coach earlier this week when the team teased that it was coming out with some big news. In the end, the team was just announcing a new logo, something that left many shaking their heads and other frustrated with the timing.

Wade played his college basketball at Middle Tennesee State, Chattanooga State Community College, and Kennesaw State. Upon graduating in 1998, he played a total of 13 years overseas including several years in France where he also holds citizenship. His wife, Edwige Lawson-Wade, is an Olympic Silver Medalist and played in the WNBA for several seasons.

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