NEW YORK (AP) Chicago Sky guard Epiphanny Prince needed a break.
After playing basketball year round all over the world since leaving Rutgers after her junior year in 2009, she was starting to feel burned out.
She's had a total of eight weeks off over the past four years and no more than 10 consecutive days in a row during that span.
''With so many years of playing nonstop, I've been battling burnout for some time,'' Prince told The Associated Press. ''It came to a point where I needed to step back and take care of myself not just physically but also mentally.''
Prince missed the Sky's opening win over Indiana on Friday and won't play against the Liberty in New York on Saturday night. She said she probably will be sidelined for another few weeks.
''I'm happy to say that while I won't be at our game in New York, I'm feeling much better and plan to rejoin the team in the next couple of weeks,'' Prince said.
She averaged 15 points last season for the Sky to help them earn the No. 1 seed in the East and reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
''I want to thank Michael (Alter), Pokey (Chatman), my teammates and everyone at the Sky for all their support over the last few weeks,'' Prince said. ''It means a lot to know that the organization cares about me not just as an athlete but as a person.''
Prince's overseas contract in Russia is worth just under $1 million. She plays in a league over there that runs from October-April. She makes around $100,000 to play for the Sky.
Part of her Russian contract required her to play for the national team. So last season, the 5-foot-9 guard had to miss a few weeks of the WNBA season to try and help Russia qualify for the world championship this fall. The country didn't make it.
''I'm glad she's been able to get some time to recharge physically and mentally,'' Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. ''People don't understand how draining it can be living in a suitcase for almost the entire year. She'll be in Chicago next week and she'll let us know when she's ready.''
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