The Chicago Sky are just a few months away from tipping off their regular season run in May. Chicago will be put to the test in the preseason with matchups against the Minnesota Lynx and the Brazilian National Team. From there, they will move on to a tough May slate that features the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury went all-in on surrounding former Sky guard Kahleah Copper with a proven group of talented players in the frontcourt, including a former MVP finalist in forward Alyssa Thomas.
The Sky have nearly completed their roster before what could be a defining year for the Windy City squad. Chicago has two remaining roster spots and just under $200,000 to spend. It signed a pair of sizeable guards in Kia Nurse and Rebecca Allen, but will need to look to the upcoming draft or its recent training camp signees to fill out some needed depth at both forward spots. The Sky may need to put their faith into Michaela Onyenwere, who proved to be an unsung hero for Chicago during her first season with the squad.
Michaela Onyenwere's versatility could be key to starting role
The Sky re-signed Onyenwere to a one-year contract in February. She finished last season with averages of 6.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. The former Rookie of the Year showed off her scoring potential with a solid scoring run to end the season. She averaged 10.4 points per game in September, her highest-scoring month of the season, as she hit double-digits five times to round out the year.
“Michaela is one of the best young, versatile players in our league,” Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a February release. “She embodies the type of player we want on our team and we are excited to watch her continue to grow in a Sky uniform.”
Onyenwere's versatility could be just what the Sky need to round out their starting lineup of the immediate future.
She proved to be a solid defender who could apply pressure and force a steal when needed. Her physicality and toughness on defense made her a reliable rebounder even when she was matched up against taller opponents. She hit just below 37% of her 3-pointers last season, a steady improvement from the start of her young career, which can make her even more valuable in the Sky's offense if she can continue to get open off the ball.
Onyenwere's all-around game could make her a needed fit to tie the Sky's new-look roster together, especially as Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso continue to improve their respective games with Chicago.