Chance the Rapper, Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot were among those celebrating Chicago Sky’s WNBA Championship victory on Tuesday with a parade and rally.
CHICAGO – Chicago went on Tuesday for a parade celebrating the WNBA Sky champion, bringing a big smile to the city celebrating its first world championship since 2016.
Fans lined up on Michigan Avenue to cheer on the Sky after beating the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 on Sunday at Wintrust Arena, becoming the first Chicago team to win a title since the Cubs five years ago.
âI think every time I see someone with tears in their eyes and you see the passion on their face, just for the love they have in the team. It’s amazing,â said said head coach James Wade.
Chicago Sky basketball team head coach James Wade, left, Candace Parker, center, and musician Chance the Rapper celebrate their 2021 WNBA championship at a rally in Millennium Park on Tuesday October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Candace Parker, from Naperville, said she remembers growing up watching the Chicago Bulls and “dreaming of being and bringing a title to your hometown.”
Point guard Courtney Vandersloot looked at the fans and said: “I really can’t believe it.”
Chance the Rapper got on a double-decker bus with the team and publicly thanked the team for âmaking the city proudâ and âmaking us winners againâ.
â(The Sky) played together like the best team in the league, they have chemistry like no other,â Chance told WMAQ-TV.
The parade ended at Millennium Park for a noon rally.
Melrose Park fan Christina Ratliff has brought her 10-year-old daughter, Jazmyn.
âWe’re playing addicted today,â Ratliff said.
Larry Jones, 68, brought a sign predicting the Sky will repeat itself as champion.
“I think it will make the city a little happier,” he said.
PHOTOS: Chicago celebrates Sky Championship
Basketball Sky Parade
Fans watch Chicago Sky teammates celebrate their 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally in Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky’s Lexie Brown, second from left, holds the trophy as she and her teammates celebrate their 2021 WNBA championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
FIX ID TO LEXIE BROWN, NOT KAHLEAH COPPER – Lexie Brown of Chicago Sky holds the trophy as she and her teammates celebrate their 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Claudia Gunter, left, of Chicago, dances before the Chicago Sky basketball team celebrates its 2021 WNBA championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Fans wear championship jerseys before the Chicago Sky basketball team celebrate their 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketball team head coach James Wade holds up the championship trophy during a celebration for winning the 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally in Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketball player Candace Parker, third from right, foreground, celebrates winning the WNBA championship with her teammates during a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketballers Candace Parker, center left, and Stefanie Dolson, center right, celebrate their WNBA Championship victory with their teammates at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketball team head coach James Wade, left, Candace Parker, center, and musician Chance the Rapper celebrate their 2021 WNBA championship at a rally in Millennium Park on Tuesday October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketball teammates celebrate their 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketball team head coach James Wade celebrates his 2021 WNBA championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky basketball player Candace Parker, second from right, and musician Chance the Rapper, right, celebrate their 2021 WNBA championship with their teammates at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky head coach James Wade, center, celebrates with his teammates as they gather for the 2021 WNBA Championship at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago guard Sky Diamond DeShields, forward, and teammates celebrate their 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS
Basketball Sky Parade
Chicago Sky center / forward Astou Ndour-Fall and his teammates celebrate their 2021 WNBA Championship at a rally at Millennium Park on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in Chicago.
MATT MARTON, ASSOCIATE PRESS