Courtney Vandersloot: 241 Assists and Counting
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention just two days earlier, the Chicago Sky picked up a quality win Tuesday night over the reigning champion Minnesota Lynx. Behind the win was a stellar performance from point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who set a new WNBA single season assist record (241) in route to the win.
Although the Sky’s 12–20 record might not show it, Vandersloot has had a remarkable season. She has posted a double-double in all but three of Chicago’s wins this season. Her season has also included a triple-double and the first 15-point and 15-assist performance in WNBA history, in addition to surpassing the WNBA single season assist record.
With two more games to play before the Sky’s season ends, Vandersloot has the chance to push her new record of 241 assists even higher. We broke down some more of the numbers behind the milestone:
241 Assists in just 28 Games
What makes the record even more impressive is the efficiency with which it was reached. Due to being sidelined with an injury at the beginning of the season, Vandersloot played in just 28 games this season, averaging just under 32 minutes per game. Ticha Penicheiro’s prior record of 236 assists was set in 30 games in 2000, with similar minutes per game.
An Assist Rate Worth Talking About
Advanced statistics allow us to add a little more color around just what 241 assists in under 900 minutes looks like. For the season, Vandersloot has an assist rate of 43.9 percent, which is the highest in the history of the WNBA. That means she has assisted on a whopping 44 percent of her teammates’ baskets while on the floor.
Double-Digit Dimes & Double-Doubles
Vandersloot has posted nine games with double-digit assists this season, including 7 double-doubles and the triple-double on July 20th. On the season, she is averaging 8.6 assists per game. That leads the WNBA for the season, and is a full 1.4 assists ahead of Sue Bird, who sits at second in the league.
In addition to her impressive dimes, Vandersloot also adds 12.4 points per game for the Sky. This season, she has scored 1.22 points per scoring attempt, including when fouled. That ranks tenth in the league among players with at least 400 possessions this season. Additionally, she is shooting a career high 40.6 percent from three.
Courtney Vandersloot is an all-around force on the offensive end for the Chicago Sky. You still have two more chances to see her in action this season; the Sky take on the Indiana Fever both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
All stats are compiled from the WNBA.com database. If you like this content, please support our work at Her Hoop Stats by subscribing for just $20 a year.
