Sky coach/GM James Wade quits to become Raptors assistant

Chicago Sky coach/general manager James Wade is departing the franchise after being hired as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors.

Emre Vatansever will be Chicago's interim coach and general manager.

Wade, 47, coached the Sky to the 2021 WNBA title. He was named WNBA Coach of the Year that season. In 2022, he was named the league's top executive.

"We are thrilled that James can fulfill a lifelong dream to join the NBA, and we send him our warmest congratulations and best wishes," Sky owner Michael Alter said in a statement. "We thank James for establishing a winning, team-oriented culture in Chicago and leading the Sky to our first ever WNBA Championship in 2021."

The Sky are 7-9 this season entering Sunday's road game against the Indiana Fever.

It has been a tough season for the franchise, which lost stars Courtney Vandersloot and Candace Parker as free agents in the offseason. Long-range shooting specialist Allie Quigley opted to sit out the campaign.

Wade joins the staff of new Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic. Wade previously had a stint as an NBA assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs from 2012-16.

Wade compiled an 81-59 record in four-plus seasons with the Sky. His best mark was 26-10 in 2022.

Vatansever was Chicago's lead assistant coach.