In a year filled with of newcomers, including a new head coach, the Chicago Sky managed to keep things interesting in their 2024 campaign.
Chicago's regular season run had a few bright team performances sprinkled throughout its 40-game season, including two dominant wins over the Los Angeles Sparks on opposite ends of the year. They sparked hope in another season with plenty of roster turnover when they defeated the New York Liberty on the road. Rookie forward Angel Reese, who was selected later in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft, led Chicago with an average of 13.1 rebounds per game and 5.1 on the offensive end.
Chicago had a handful of breakout players on their new-look squad, from those who sparked their scoring impact early to a few late bloomers or players who joined the squad later on. Guard Rachel Banham, who was acquired via trade in July, had some of her best shooting performances of the year in her 16 games played with the Sky. She shot at a 38.2% clip from the perimeter since being sent to Chicago, highlighted by a stellar September performance against the Atlanta Dream in one of their last games of the season that saw her hit six of her 10 3-point tries.
Based off the MLS's Newcomer of the Year, the Sky's NOTY Award will count players who have previous professional experience but made their Chicago debut in 2024. Some newcomers to the Sky include guard Lindsay Allen, forward Michaela Onyenwere and forward Brianna Turner.
Newcomer of the Year: Chennedy Carter
Aside from shipping out a star guard in Kahleah Copper in February, the Sky continued to make moves that would ultimately spark some hope in a new chapter of Sky basketball.
They signed three players, including two midwestern natives in forward Taya Reimer and guard Kysre Gondrezick, to training camp contracts in the beginning months of 2024. Guard Chennedy Carter earned a spot on the roster following a preseason that saw her shoot an efficient 58.8% from the field in two games played off the bench.
Carter showed why she made the WNBA's All-Rookie team in 2020 with a resurgent season. She led the Sky with a career-high 17.5 points per game along with her 48.7% clip from the floor. She scored 30 points in two matchups with playoff contenders, including 33 in a close win over the Seattle Storm.
Runner-Up: Michaela Onyenwere
Onyenwere ended her first season in the Windy City with averages of 6.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. The 2021 Rookie of the Year officially took a starting role for the Sky in August. She would start for the rest of the season, including when she started to show signs of becoming a reliable scorer towards season's end.
Like Carter, Onyenwere had a handful of key scoring performances against playoff contenders. She logged efficient nights against the Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. She hit six of her ten attempts and all three of her 3-pointers in a September loss to Las Vegas. The 6-foot forward hit all of her tries from the left side of the floor, including two catch-and-shoot shots from the left wing.