3 Overseas players the Chicago Sky should convince to join the WNBA

The Chicago Sky already got two young building blocks when they drafted Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. Due to some injury trouble, the Sky missed the 2024 WNBA Playoffs but should be in the mix soon enough. When you have two rising stars like Cardoso and Reese, missing the playoffs is only tolerated for so long. 

So, this offseason should be all about making the right moves and building the foundation for a competitive playoff team in Chicago. Hiring Tyler Marsh as the team’s new head coach was the first move the organization made, and they seem to have dodged a bullet by finding a coach Reese approves of. 

The roster still needs some work, though. Chicago will get another high pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which will feature several great college players, but they should also keep their eyes on some EuroLeague players. 

3. Marine Fauthoux 

The Sky need 3-point shooting, defense, and guard play. Chicago’s most productive guards last season were Chennedy Carter, Marina Mabrey, and Dana Evans. Mabrey was traded to the Connecticut Sun, and Evans will almost definitely not be back next season. If Evans leaves, the Sky will lose one of the few capable 3-point shooters on the roster. 

Considering those needs, Marine Fauthoux could be an interesting prospect for the Sky. The 23-year-old French guard is currently averaging 8 points, on very efficient shooting (50 percent from three), 2.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.8 steals. 

CBK Mersin has only played four EuroLeague games so far, but over those games, Fauthoux has displayed the willingness to take threes and the ability to make them. Furthermore, she is a good playmaker and defender. Fauthoux hounds opposing ball handlers and is a real pest defensively. 

The New York Liberty actually drafted Fauthoux in the third round of the 2021 WNBA Draft, but the Sky should be able to acquire the draft rights if they really want to. 

2. Pauline Astier

Pauline Astier is one of the best guard prospects under the age of 25 in the EuroLeague competition right now. At 22, the French guard is still very young but already has a developed skill set. 

So far, she is averaging 13.3 points on efficient shooting, 2.8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4.3 steals per game. Astier can run the offense, set up her teammates, get to the rim, and space the floor. Defensively, she has great size at the guard spot and quick hands. 

Astier is a true two-way guard and checks all the boxes of what the Sky need from a guard: playmaking, a 3-point shot, and defense. 

1. Janelle Salaün 

The Sky could also use a wing/forward who can defend at a high level and space the floor. Janelle Salaün fits that description. At 6’2”, the French forward has great size she can use on the perimeter as well as in the post. 

Salaün is a talented 3-level scorer despite only being 23 years old. So far, she is averaging 17.8 points per game, shooting 45.5 percent from three on high volume, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2 steals. 

Defensively, Salaün possesses a great mix of size, speed, athleticism, and basketball IQ that allows her to guard several positions very well. The Sky could really use someone as versatile as Salaün, who also fits the timeline of the team’s two stars. 

Salaün’s skill set projects to translate well to the WNBA, and several teams will likely be interested in her.