The Chicago Sky officially announced their training camp roster in a Saturday tweet.
Two of the Sky's newly-selected rookies in Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld were among the 18 players who were listed in Saturday's announcement. A number of training camp signees will have the chance to duke it out for a spot on the opening day roster, including a forward looking to make her return to Chicago in Morgan Bertsch. While things will remain competitive for Chicago in the days leading up to the WNBA regular season, the Sky will have a few exciting locks to look out for as they take their first reps in the preseason.
How will the Sky's newest rookies, including a potential point guard of the future in Van Lith, fare among other players who are vying for their first shots in the WNBA? Will Van Lith be a star right away, or will it take some time for the 23-year-old guard to get into her groove among a rising Sky squad?
Hailey Van Lith will need to earn a spot on the bench for the Sky
Everyone loves a star rookie.
The Sky have had a few of their own in the past, including one of their more recent additions in Angel Reese. Elena Delle Donne, a star for Delaware who joined the Sky in the 2013 WNBA Draft, took third place in the league's MVP voting during her first year with Chicago. Courtney Vandersloot, who made her return to Chicago this offseason, earned an All-Star selection as she almost immediately became a starter for the Sky.
Still, even the most talented of youngsters must prove themselves before they can make their mark in the W.
As talented as she may be and as solid of a fit as she can be as a backup guard, it will take time before Van Lith can push her way up into the starting lineup. The Sky will have Vandersloot and a two-time All-Star in Ariel Atkins in the backcourt this season. Vandersloot, a 5-time All-Star and all-time assist leader for the Sky, will likely be a lock for the starting point guard spot as the Windy City squad starts its training camp run.
Should everything go in Chicago's favor, Van Lith will not need to be a starter for the Sky until she's ready to take command of their offense alongside Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.