The Chicago Sky are close to the beginning of what could be an incredibly competitive training camp period.
The Sky will have a number of new rookies and training camp signees vying for two remaining roster spots. Among them are plenty of locks for the opening day roster, including a handful of players with protected contracts. The Sky may have their two-deep set in multiple spots, but will need to figure out who will take up minutes as a backup four before the start of the year. Chicago also has plenty of sizeable guards who can take up the three spot alongside Michaela Onyenwere, who became an unsung hero for the Sky during her first year with the squad last season.
Chicago fans will have plenty to look forward to after revamping their point guard rotation with the likes of Courtney Vandersloot. The Sky drafted Hailey Van Lith, who ended her illustrious collegiate career with TCU, as a potential option to back her up in the backcourt. Chicago will need to find a young point guard for the future following the departure of Dana Evans, who was shipped off to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for two second-round picks.
Will Van Lith be the answer the Sky need at the one?
Hailey Van Lith can be just what Chicago is looking for as a backup guard
Van Lith's scoring and improved passing could make her a valuable young option off the bench for a rising Sky squad.
The 5-foot-7 guard led her new squad in scoring with nearly 18 points per game last season. She saw a career high in field goal percentage in what was nothing short of a comeback season for the 23-year-old. While it wasn't an ideal situation for her, she has suited up with Sky forward Angel Reese at LSU in the past. Should they keep up that same chemistry and fit well together on the court, Van Lith could propel Reese to greatness and be the Sky's next foundational point guard.
Chicago has cycled through a few players at the one since Vandersloot left for the Big Apple in 2023. They found a few stopgap solutions, including someone who blossomed in her new role in Courtney Williams, but still have yet to find the year-to-year option Vandersloot was. With her return and with Van Lith as her protégé, it hopefully won't be long until the Sky find their crown jewel in the backcourt alongside what could be a lottery selection in 2026.