With the Chicago Sky's 2025 WNBA preseason run commencing against the Brazilian National Team on May 2 in Baton Rouge, the discussion over which players deserve starting berths on the court has officially begun.
The additions of Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins and Hailey Van Lith have bolstered the Sky's backcourt depth. It may have also left fans pondering which guards shall be entrusted as the floor generals for Sky's new system under newly-appointed head coach Tyler Marsh.
Van Lith, a dynamic guard from TCU, was selected with the Windy City franchise's 11th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. The 23-year-old averaged an impressive 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per game after transferring to the Horned Frogs from LSU to play in her fifth year. The TCU guard can be an ideal candidate to build a formidable partnership with a sensational sophomore in Angel Reese due to their previous experience of sharing a court at LSU. Nevertheless, the return of a legendary playmaker in Vandersloot may initially restrict Van Lith's minutes in the rotation.
The Chicago front office seemed to make a statement of intent when they traded their valuable No. 3 pick in this year's draft for two-way guard Ariel Atkins. The move suggested the Washington Mystics star will be in contention for an important role in the first year of the Marsh era. Atkins has proven she can ignite the Sky's stagnant offense with her versatile scoring ability. The 28-year-old registered 14.9 points per game while shooting just under 44% from the floor in 2024.
Predicted Sky lineup for 2025 preseason opener
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Courtney Vandersloot | Point Guard |
Ariel Atkins | Shooting Guard |
Michaela Onyenwere | Small Forward |
Angel Reese | Power Forward |
Kamilla Cardoso | Center |
The Sky now boasts a roster blessed with a balance of talent, youth and experience. Experience will most likely take the driving seat early in the season as the franchise aims to turn things around following a disenchanting 2024 campaign, where they only accumulated a total of 13 wins out of 40 games.
Vandersloot currently holds the WNBA career record for assists per game at about 6.6. Atkins, a 2022 All-Defensive First Team selectee, will complete a knowledgeable backcourt pairing that contains scoring, playmaking and defensive proficiency. The two veterans will also be responsible for guiding Van Lith onto the path to success while the young star looks to gain a larger role in the rotation.
The frontcourt should not be as controversial in the eyes of the Chicago fanbase. Reese and Cardoso developed a sturdy defensive partnership the Windy City franchise should aim to build upon. The pair averaged 13.1 and 7.9 rebounds per game last season, respectively, while Cardoso blocked 1.4 shots per game.
The Sky's lineups and rotations will alter as injuries and surprise packages pop their heads above the parapet as the campaign progresses. For now, Marsh should opt for experience and a strong start as Chicago hunts for a more successful year.