Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso proved she could be the Windy City's center of the future during her first season in the WNBA.
The Sky acquired the No. 3 selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft in a blockbuster trade that sent guard Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury. They would use to take Cardoso, who proved her worth on a talented South Carolina roster that had just finished an undefeated season. The Sky would take forward Angel Reese a few picks later, solidifying their big duo of the future following the departure of some of their more reliable bigs in seasons past.
Cardoso ended the 2024 season with averages of 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. She took second place in rookie blocks, rebounds and offensive rebounds per game. She joined Sky forward Angel Reese on the league's All-Rookie team and highlighted an incredibly-talented rookie class.
Offense: B+
Though it took her some time to find her footing on offense, Cardoso ended last season with an efficient 52.1% from the floor. The figure would put her in sixth place among those who averaged five field goal attempts or more last season. She hit a season-high 62.3% of her shots in the month of August as she worked well in the post, on put-backs and off cuts to the basket.
Cardoso must continue to grow her interior scoring as the Sky look to build upon an offense that took third place in the league with 40.3 points in the paint per game.
Defense: A-
It didn't take long for the 6-foot-7 center to prove she could be the Sky's defensive anchor of the future.
Cardoso logged her first WNBA block in a June loss to the New York Liberty. She expertly cut off paths to the paint before knocking away a drive from former Sky forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. She would see her block averages continuously increase from just under one in June to an even two in September. She ended seven games with three blocks or more, including two five-block outings against the Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks.
Along with her rebounding, Cardoso's shot-blocking abilities made her one of the more reliable defenders on the Sky's roster. She showed plenty of potential in turning around a Sky defense that took last place in the WNBA in points in the paint allowed per contest in 2023.