The Chicago Sky already look much different than they did in the 2024 season. They let Chennedy Carter and Isabelle Harrison walk in free agency, signed Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, and Kia Nurse, and traded for Ariel Atkins. The Sky are clearly focused on putting veterans around youngsters Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso and setting the foundation for a competitive team.
As a result of these changes, the Sky will have some new leaders in several statistical categories. If everyone is healthy, a picture is already starting to take shape.
Points per game: Ariel Atkins
Ariel Atkins has never averaged less than ten points per game in her WNBA career. Last season, she averaged 14.9 points over 40 games with the Washington Mystics. That is more than any player other than Chennedy Carter on the Sky’s 2024 roster.
The Sky will rely a lot on Atkins to produce offense on the perimeter and give her plenty of opportunities to score. All of this promises a high-scoring season from Atkins, and she might very well lead the Sky in points per game.
Angel Reese also has a solid case, however. She was the Sky’s second-leading scorer last season (after Marina Mabrey was traded) and is looking much improved in Unrivaled.
Rebounds per game: Angel Reese
Predicting who will lead the Sky in rebounds per game is probably the easiest. Angel Reese is one of the best rebounders in the league, averaging 13.1 rebounds as a rookie. With one season of experience and after playing in Unrivaled, Reese should come back to the WNBA stronger than ever and will surely lead the Sky in rebounds per game again—maybe even the entire league.
Kamilla Cardoso should be next in line. She averaged 7.9 rebounds per game last season and is by far the tallest player on the Sky’s roster.
Assists per game: Courtney Vandersloot
The Sky needed a high-level point guard to unlock Reese and Cardoso. Reese is currently thriving next to Chelsea Gray in Unrivaled, and the hope is that Courtney Vandersloot will have a similar effect with the Sky.
The veteran seems well set up for a bounce-back season and promises to be the strongest passer on the Sky’s roster, edging out Lindsey Allen. Allen was solid last season, averaging 3.9 assists per game in 23.8 minutes, but Vandersloot has a history of averaging mover six assists per game in a starting role. If she can be that kind of playmaker, it would make a huge difference for the Sky and the development of their young players.
Steals per game: Ariel Atkins
Ariel Atkins is not only a two-time All-Star but was also named to five All-Defensive teams over her career. She is one of the best perimeter defenders on the Sky’s current roster and seems well set up to lead the team in steals per game.
Once again, Reese has a solid case as well, though. Reese is a strong defender and averaged 1.3 steals per game as a rookie. The difference between Atkins’ and Reese’ steal numbers may not be big, if there is a difference at all.
Blocks per game: Kamilla Cardoso
The Chicago Sky were a decent shot-blocking team last season, ranking eighth in blocks per game. The main reason for that was Kamilla Cardoso, who averaged 1.4 blocks per game as a rookie. In her second season, Cardoso will be more accustomed to playing defense in the WNBA and should look even better than she did in the 2024 season.
If she does not lead the Sky in blocks per game despite playing most of the season, it would be incredibly surprising.
3-point percentage: Michaela Onyenwere
The Sky were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league last season and have made some additions to address that issue. Rebecca Allen and Ariel Atkins are both solid 3-point shooters, and their success from behind the arc will be a key to the Sky’s success.
Nevertheless, it may be one of the returning players who will lead the Sky in 3-point percentage in the 2025 season. 2024 marked Michaela Onyenwere’s best 3-point shooting season of her career. She shot 36.8 percent on two attempts per game and can hopefully build on that success to be even better in the 2025 season. She should be entering the new season with confidence in her shot and plenty of opportunities to punish defenses.