Michael Jordan did not return to the United Center as expected last weekend.
Alex Caruso powered the Chicago Bulls with steals, setting the stage for another spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive team.
A potentially season-ending Achilles injury creates uncertainty about the future of Rebecca Gardner and the Chicago Sky.
A busy period for University of Chicago basketball includes a new career scoring record at Northwestern, the retirement of DePaul’s jersey number and an important challenge for Loyola.
Every Wednesday throughout the season, Tribune writers will provide the latest on what’s happening and what’s ahead with the Bulls, Sky and local basketball teams.
Chris Chelios celebrates Michael Jordan not returning to Chicago
Despite the excitement from fans and promising teasers from Chris Chelios himself, Michael Jordan did not return to the United Center on Sunday.
The Blackhawks retired No. 7 in honor of Chelios on Sunday, a day filled with hubbub that included former Bulls Dennis Rodman and Patrick Kane returning to Chicago for the first time with the Detroit Red Wings. Jordan was not in attendance due to a death in the family, but he sent a video celebrating Chelios as a Chicago sports legend and personal friend. The duo defined Chicago sports throughout the ’90s.
“You are a very deserving man and I’m proud to see your jersey alongside mine,” Jordan said in the video. “You and I have been friends for 30 years, so I wish you all the best. “I’m sending you a bunch of love. “
Michael Jordan pays tribute to Cherry ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cip67ol9Rm
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 26, 2024
Rebecca Gardner Achilles tendon injury
The Chicago Sky faces new uncertainty in free agency after guard Rebecca Gardner ruptured her right Achilles tendon in an overseas game on Thursday.
The injury occurred while Gardner was playing for Spanish club Spal Girona. Gardner has played just four games for Spal Girona after missing most of Sky’s games last season with a fractured left foot. The injury could mean she will miss the entire 2024 WNBA season.
Gardner is in a unique position now at age 31 after making his WNBA debut with the Sky during the 2022 season. She was scouted out of Europe by former coach and general manager James Wade and immediately made an impact during the team’s record 26-win season, becoming a defense-first wing who could spark the Sky’s offense in transition.
WNBA offseason tracking: Chicago Sky acquire another 2024 first-round pick in trade with Los Angeles Sparks
An unrestricted free agent this summer, Gardner has yet to sign the qualifying offer Sky made her available. In a press conference the day before last week’s injury, general manager Jeff Pagliocca said the Sky was still eager to bring the wing back to Chicago.
“We are still having conversations with Rebecca,” Pagliocca said. “All of these options are very real. She is a player that we have great respect for, a very good player here and it fits our philosophy and who we are. But we are still having conversations with her and time will Prove it all.”
Boo Buie breaks Northwestern’s all-time scoring record
Northwestern men’s basketball team sets career scoring record.
Fifth-grader Boo Buie hit a 3-pointer in the first half of Thursday’s game against Michigan to become the Wildcats’ new scoring leader, surpassing John Shurna’s record set in 2012 of 2,038 points benchmark. Buie’s 16-point performance helped boost the Wildcats’ scoring prowess. Northwestern came from behind to defeat the Wolverines.
After the game, Buie’s teammates wore white headbands to pay tribute to their leading scorer.
“It really made me feel loved,” Buie said. “That was special.”
Celebrate in style 😇👻 pic.twitter.com/kWXSfiMQNn
— Northwest Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 23, 2024
Buie received an extra year of eligibility provided by the NCAA for students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 school year. He currently has 2,050 points in his career with the Wildcats.
As of Monday, the Wildcats were tied for third in the Big Ten, with Buie ranking fourth in the league in points (18.9 points per game) and assists (5.2 per game). Northwestern is seeking back-to-back NCAA tournament berths for the first time in program history.
Loyola prepares for biggest regular season test
The Ramblers have been moving at a breakneck pace this season, and Friday’s home game against No. 21 Dayton presents their biggest test yet.
Loyola enters Tuesday night’s game at St. Bonaventure with a seven-game winning streak and is tied with Richmond for first place in the Atlantic 10, one game ahead of Dayton. But Loyola lost 79-64, while Dayton defeated Davidson 80-66.
Friday’s game will be the Ramblers’ first matchup against a top-25 team since November, when they lost by 23 points to the then-No. 8 Creighton.
It’s already been a redefining season for Loyola, which a year ago finished last in the Atlantic Ten’s inaugural season.
DePaul revokes Diana Vines’ number
No. 40 was placed on the field at Wintrust Arena on Sunday to honor Diana Vines, the all-time leading scorer for the DePaul University men’s and women’s teams.
Vines played for the Blue Devils from 1985 to 1989, during which time she set a program scoring record with 2,504 points. Not even Chicago Sky legend Ellie Quigley has touched the milestone since. Vines was a two-time All-American and led DePaul to the WNIT championship in 1988, where she also won the WNIT MVP.
Diana’s moment. pic.twitter.com/Q0ucwgvAQf
— DePaul Women’s Basketball (@DePaulWBBHoops) February 25, 2024
Number of weeks: 23
Alex Caruso had five steals in Tuesday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons and has had at least two steals in 23 games this season.
Caruso has completed 73 steals this season, ranking 10th in the league. He averaged 1.5 steals per game, tied with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic for seventh in the league.
Caruso’s performance with two consecutive steals will be an important factor in his selection to the NBA All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive time.
Week Ahead: Bulls
- Wednesday: Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
- Thursday: leave
- Friday: Milwaukee Bucks, 9 p.m., ESPN
- Saturday: leave
- Sunday: leave
- on Monday: @SacramentoKings, 9 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago
- Tuesday: leave
What we read this morning
Chicago basketball this week
March 1, 1943: One of the most famous basketball teams in the state of Illinois, the “Whiz Kids” played their final regular season game, defeating Northwestern 92-25. The five starting players, who stand about 6-foot-3 and can shoot, dribble, rebound and defend, were nicknamed by WGN broadcaster Jack Brickhouse.
But despite the team’s 17-0 record and its second consecutive Big Ten title, they did not make the 1943 NCAA Tournament.
After the regular season, all five of the Wunderkinds – Andy Phillippe, Gene Vance, Jack Smiley, Ken Menke and Art Matheson – enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II .
“I’m 99 percent sure we’re going to win (the NCAA Tournament),” Menke said.
Quotable
“I would love to continue to be a part of the Bulls organization. I love it here. I’m excited about the opportunity we have with this group and this team to build a culture and build something special. “I think I’m a very good member of this team. cornerstone. ” — Patrick Williams discusses his future after season-ending injury