Sky hire Sparks assistant Amber Stocks as new head coach/GM

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Sky hired Los Angeles Sparks assistant Amber Stocks as their new head coach Tuesday.

Stocks replaces Pokey Chatman, who was fired after she guided Chicago to an 18-16 record and an appearance in the WNBA semifinals in 2016. She won 106 games in Chicago and led the team to its first playoff appearance in 2013 and a trip to the WNBA Finals in 2014.

Before coming to Los Angeles, Stocks served as an assistant coach at Xavier from 2002-09. She played at Cincinnati, helping the team win a Conference USA championship before graduating in 1999. She also worked briefly at Notre Dame and Tennessee.

Sky owner Michael Alter said a dozen candidates were interviewed before the team chose Stocks, who inherits a team rich in talent with former MVP Elena Delle Donne leading the way. The Sky also have Cappie Pondexter, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot.

Stocks will also serve as the team's general manager.