The Chicago Sky have been scrambling in the offseason with a desperate bid to replace the vital scoring that departing guard Chennedy Carter provided. Having already acquired Ariel Atkins, who averaged 14.9 points per game last season, the Sky's front office will be hoping that one of their more shrewd signings will be able to provide the scoring spark their offense needs this year.
A long-time Australian pro, Alex Wilson, will arrive in Chicago just in time for pre-season training camp. The 5-foot-9 guard may have the attributes to light a spark on the Sky's offense, as it only managed to average a disenchanting 77.4 points per game in 2024. Currently plying her trade for the Mandurah Magic in the Australian NBL1, Wilson has exhibited her levels of talent as she stormed her way to the All-WNBL First Team and has led the Perth Lynx to second place in the WNBL 2024-25 regular-season standings with a record of 16-5.
With a cautious approach by Sky's general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, the Australian guard only signed a training camp contract. The move allows head coach Tyler Marsh to assess Wilson without committing a percentage of the salary cap until the regular season begins. The added pressure of fighting for a space on the roster shouldn't phase the 31-year-old. She led the Lynx in several stat columns, including points, assists, and steals per game, while hitting about 44% of her shots from the floor.
Alex Wilson's takeover ability can make her a hidden gem for Chicago
With the loss of Carter, Chicago lacks a player who can firmly stamp their authority on a game and completely change the momentum of a tie. Nevertheless, Wilson has shown over her career that she has a knack for taking over games with her dangerous offensive prowess. She scored 20+ points on six occasions this year and chalked up a season-high of 32.
Despite lacking WNBA experience, Wilson brings a winning mentality to a Sky roster looking to get back on track after a 2024 season that saw the franchise stutter their way to a 13-27 regular-season record. During her illustrious career, she has won two WNBL championships, a gold medal in the 3x3 FIBA 2024 Asia Cup and was named the 2017 Australian Premier League MVP.
However, it would not be unreasonable to propose that any guard added to this roster will be responsible for manufacturing a formidable partnership with star player Angel Reese.
Whether this is building an understanding of a pick-and-roll-based offense or providing a platform for Reese to thrive as a scorer, their job will not solely be to score points. Wilson has the potential to be a hidden gem that the Sky's front office has been scouring the market to find. Her explosive ability and offensive talent should give the fanbase a sense of optimism as the new campaign approaches.