A team can only be as strong as its 12th player.
The Chicago Sky relied on their bench more often than most WNBA squads last season. They averaged the third-most bench minutes in the league last season, taking spots ahead of the Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx. Chicago's bench also averaged the third-most points per game. Players like guard Chennedy Carter, who recently found her newest home in the Mexican LNBPF, made her mark as a scorer off the bench before becoming a full-time starter.
Chicago will have the opportunity to find its next gems off the bench as training camp finally tips off.
The Sky will have a healthy mix of new and returning faces fighting for the final spots on the squad. Depth may be a question at a few positions, including at the point guard and both forward spots, as Chicago enters a season that could ultimately determine the direction of its rebuild. The Sky took to the draft to add two potential options in Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld, who will duke it out with rostered players and training camp signees alike for two of the more important reserve roles on this Sky squad.
Who will ultimately be Chicago's most important players off the bench heading into its 2025 campaign?
Elizabeth Williams
Should the Sky take some time to find their answer at the backup four, Williams will need to be a captain off the bench and play a key reliever role for Chicago's big duo of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
The one-time All-Star took up a starting role with the Sky in her previous two seasons with the squad. She started in 40 games during the 2023 season, which saw her earn a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team as she continued to prove her worth as a shot-blocker. The Sky will only benefit from having a smart defensive anchor like Williams support Cardoso, who showed off her potential as a defender as she swatted away just over 1 shot per game last season.
Kia Nurse
The Sky will need to find their next scoring spark plug off the bench following the departure of Carter, who led Chicago with 17.5 points per game last season. Nurse, who played alongside Williams at Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball, played as both a starter and a reserve guard for the Los Angeles Sparks last season. The 6-foot guard will need to continue the scoring prowess and toughness she has shown during her WNBA career for the Sky to continue pushing their offense in the right direction.