The Chicago Sky made a strategic move in the 2021 WNBA draft by selecting bigs Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese with the third and seventh overall picks, respectively. The team aims to rebuild quickly under new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after dismantling their veteran-laden roster in 2022. Both Cardoso and Reese were standouts in college, with Cardoso being named the Most Outstanding Player in the most recent NCAA Tournament Final Four. Reese, on the other hand, was one of the most prominent players in women’s college basketball over the last few years.
Cardoso and Reese are excited to play together in Chicago, with Cardoso emphasizing their defensive capabilities and rebounding prowess. Both players bring a wealth of experience and accolades from their college careers, with Cardoso being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Reese earning Player of the Year honors in her conference. The selection of Cardoso and Reese reflects a similar strategy used by the Chicago Bulls in the 2001 draft when they drafted Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, ushering in the “Baby Bulls” era.
Although Chandler and Curry faced challenges fitting together on the court due to their similar playing styles, Cardoso and Reese are expected to complement each other well. Unlike Chandler and Curry, who were raw talents straight out of high school, Cardoso and Reese have had four years of college experience to refine their skills. Chicago’s decision to draft them addresses the team’s defensive and rebounding deficiencies from the previous season, though they may need to address their shooting elsewhere.
To bolster their shooting, the Sky selected Brynna Maxwell, a standout shooter from Gonzaga, with the 13th overall pick in the second round of the draft. Maxwell, who made 96 triples in the 2023-24 season, will compete for a spot on the roster during training camp. Chicago already has experienced shooters like Marina Mabrey on the team, but adding Maxwell adds another dimension to their offense. The team will look to improve on their defensive percentage and rebounding rate from last season while also enhancing their shooting capabilities.
Overall, the Sky’s draft choices of Cardoso, Reese, and Maxwell signal a shift towards a new era for the team with a focus on rebuilding and cultivating young talent. With promising players like Cardoso and Reese joining the roster, Chicago fans have reason to be optimistic about the team’s future. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how these draft picks integrate with the existing roster and contribute to the Sky’s success on the court.
