CHICAGO (July 5, 2022) — Chicago Sky General Manager/Head Coach James Wade has been selected as the WNBA Coach of the Month, the league announced.
Wade led the Sky to a 9-2 record throughout the month of June, lifting the team to No. 1 in the Eastern Conference. With Chicago averaging a league-best in assists (24.0 apg) and the second best in points (86.0 ppg), Wade has helped the Sky reach the highest winning percentage in the league at .750.
The announcement comes shortly after Wade was selected as one of two head coaches for the 2022 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game. Wade will coach Team Stewart, led by Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart and co-captained by Minnesota Lynx's Sylvia Fowles. Wade will also be coaching two of his own Sky players in Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman.
Earlier this year, Wade was also recognized for his coaching achievements after being chosen to join the USA Women's National Team coaching staff at the 2022 USA National Team training camp and FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Washington, D.C.
His accolades go back to 2017 as well, serving as the Minnesota Lynx assistant coach for two years and supporting the team to winning the 2017 WNBA Championship, before taking over as head coach for the Sky in 2019. He also served as the assistant coach for the San Antonio Stars from 2012-16 and coached in the EuroLeague for BLMA in France and UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, where he guided Ekat to the 2018 EuroLeague title.
Since joining the Sky, Wade led the team to its first WNBA championship and second conference championship in 2021. He was also honored as the 2019 WNBA Coach of the Year during his first season in Chicago.
Wade and the Sky are currently on a five-game winning streak as they head into Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Lynx. The game will be held at the Target Center at 12:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on NBA TV, Bally Sports North Extra and CW 26.
