The Chicago Sky will have plenty to look out for before they tip off against the Indiana Fever on May 17.
The Sky will face off against the Brazilian National Team and the Minnesota Lynx in a few notable preseason games before then. A tough group of new training camp signees and four new draft picks will face off for the remaining spots on the roster before what could be a key turnaround for the squad. Chicago officially rounded out its coaching staff before then, which includes an All-Star cast of assistants headlined by former Atlanta Dream head coach Tanisha Wright.
Plenty will hinge on the growth and development of the Sky's second-year bigs in Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. The duo will need to take a step up after showing flashes of their potential in their respective offseason leagues, including Reese's defensive prowess for Rose BC in Unrivaled. With a new supporting cast around her and with some help in the offseason, Reese could take a massive leap forward if she can improve one more key part of her game.
Angel Reese still needs to lock down her jumper
Reese, a talented defender and proven rebounding talent, will still need to take a few more steps on offense before unleashing her potential as a superstar for the Sky.
While it wasn't her go-to move or part of her initial role with the Sky, Reese did try her hand at the occasional long-range jumper during her rookie season. The 6-foot-3 forward attempted a total of 16 3-pointers last season, including two from the corners, as her jumper started to take shape during the Sky's 2024 campaign. Her and Cardoso's finishing and positioning at the basket will have a more immediate impact on the rising squad, but adding a consistent jumper can take its offense a step further.
Improving her jumper from the midrange can also make her a more effective threat off screens, especially if she works well with a new guard in Courtney Vandersloot. Reese proved she could be effective off the pick-and-roll with a veteran passer in Chelsea Gray during her Unrivaled run. Adding the pick-and-pop to the new duo's arsenal can add another dimension to the Sky's new offense. It will take some time for the 22-year-old to get her form and consistency down. Still, she has plenty of time to add to her repertoire as she blossoms into a star for the Windy City squad.