Sky's Rachel Banham embracing point guard role with strength & poise

It was a game of musical chairs for the Chicago Sky to see who would step up and be the starting point guard when Courtney Vandersloot went down with her season-ending injury. You saw some experimentation in those first five games after the injury with Ariel Atkins, Kia Nurse, Hailey Van Lith or Rachel Banham running the offense.

But it's been Rachel 'Big Mama' Banham that's steered the ship ever since and provided a sense of calmness, control and leadership as she takes on a big role as the point guard.

During those first five games after Vandersloot's injury, the Sky went 1-4 with their sole win being over the Connecticut Sun. The Sky were losing by an average of 13 a game and putting up only 74.4 points a game - 12th in the league.

On June 22 against the Atlanta Dream, head coach Tyler Marsh changed the starting lineup and had Banham take over at point guard. There was an immediate difference in the offensive energy of the Sky.

Nothing looked rushed or forced, they were creating good looks and spacing was better. Turnovers went down almost instantly. In that first five game stint, the Sky had a league-worst 19.4 turnovers per game.

Since June 22, that number has dropped to 12.2.

"I think that Rachel has spearheaded that ever since she's been back in the starting lineup at that point guard spot," Marsh said before the Sky's game against Minnesota on July 6. "Just the steadiness and poise she's been able to bring has helped bring a sense of calm to the rest of the team when she's in there. I think that's translated across the entirety of the group."

So has the team's offensive efficiency.

Since Banham took over, the Sky have gone 2-3 over their last five games. Since June 22, the Sky average 84.4 points a game (5th in the league) and shoot 38.3% from the arc (2nd in the league). Ball movement and facilitation has also increased with their assist averaging jumping from 18.7 to 20 per game - 5th best in the league.

Their three losses have been by an average of 4.6 points, a significant difference from how they were losing games by double digits to start the season.

"I told her after the [Sparks game], 'I never want to take you out.' I want to have her out there all the time," Marsh said at practice on July 2. "That just speaks to the level of trust that I have of her when the ball is in her hands. She has the experience and the poise to handle pressure"

She's had to adjust from being the sharp-shooting guard from the arc to creating opportunites for her teammates, driving inside and getting to the free throw line.

"I have strength so I just need to continue to use that to my advantage when I'm being guarded by little quick people," Banham said, laughing. "I just got to try and keep them on my hip. Just try and tap into my physical pieces that I can use. It's not going to be speed, it's going to be strength.

"People play me so tight on the perimeter, I have to mix it up. I'm able to get to the rim by changing pace. Obviously I'm not blowing by anyone crazy, but I can find a way to get there. If I can finish, then that's going to help us."

The jokester shooting guard-turned-point guard has not only been an asset on the court; she's been a vital piece for Marsh and this team since he was hired. Spend just five minutes chatting with Banham, and you'll be laughing and cutting it up while also feeling the intensity that she brings to her game.

"She's part of the heart and soul of this team," Marsh said. "She keeps us together. She has the right balance of humor and competitiveness. I think she knows when to tow the line and how to tow the line of each and when each is called for. I think it's receptive across the staff and across the team."

She's a 10 year veteran who's jumped around a lot throughout the WNBA from playoff teams to basement teams to teams in a full rebuild. She's been a part of a midseason trade. She's been through just about anything and everything a player can go through in this competitive league, and that composure is felt throughout the team and the staff.

"I'm just really lucky to be a part of this team honestly," Banham said after putting up a season-high 20 points in the Sky's 80-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on July 6. "I have amazing teammates. My coaches have been incredible. It honestly hasn't been that hard, because they're so great for me.

"They just build me up all the time. They believe in me even when I don't believe in myself. It really means a lot. It's been really nice to be believed in and trusted to be that person. I'm having a lot of fun even though we're not winning. I'm having a lot of fun with my teammates, and that matters."

And now she's taken on another new duty in running the offense for a Chicago Sky team that's looking to push their way up the standings and to the playoffs.

They will continue that journey when they hit the road to take on the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, July 8. Tip time is set for 10:30 AM CDT.

Tune in for new episodes of Courtside with Karli Bell every Monday wherever you get your podcasts.