Chicago Sky Website Article

In Appreciation of Armintie Price

Armintie Price was drafted third overall by the Sky in the 2007 draft out of the University of Mississippi. During her time at the school, Price became the first player in SEC history to win two Defensive Player of the Year awards, which she did in the 2005 and 2007 seasons. As a senior in 2007, Price finished 1st in the NCAA in steals with 3.7 SPG and was 2nd in scoring with 19.1 PPG, leading her team to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. For her efforts during her final college season, Price was named a Kodak/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American. Price finished her illustrious career at the University of Mississippi as only the second player in NCAA history to amass 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, and 400 steals, a distinction she shared with basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller.

When she was selected by the Sky, Price became the team’s first-ever lottery pick. In addition, Price became the team’s first draft pick to start in all 34 games as a rookie, and had an immediate impact on the Sky roster on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Price finished the season second on the Sky in assists per game, with 2.9, and steals per game, with 1.2, as well as third in rebounding, with 6.0 RPG. Price also added 7.9 points per game for the team. For her efforts, Price was named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year, beating out Lindsey Harding of the Minnesota Lynx and Sidney Spencer of the Los Angeles Sparks.

After a fantastic 2007 campaign, Price averaged 6.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.7 APG during the 2008 season, numbers that ranked 6th, 5th, and 4th on the Sky, respectively. She also shot 43.8 percent, 4th highest on the team. Price appeared in every Sky game, starting 11 of them. In 2009, Price appeared in 22 games for the team and played well off the bench, averaging 3.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 1.2 APG.

In August 2009, the Sky traded Price to Atlanta for current Sky player Tamera Young, ending her tenure with the team. Although she only played two and a half seasons with the Sky, Price is considered one of the best players in Sky history. In particular, Price is known for her rebounding abilities with the Sky, and she is tied with WNBA All-Star Swin Cash for seventh all-time in Sky history with 388 total rebounds.

Price will always be loved by Sky fans and was recognized accordingly, as she was voted as the team’s 9th best player in the franchise’s All Time Top 10 player selection.