The Chicago Sky will only have a few short weeks to get things in order during the preseason before they begin their 2025 campaign later in May.
While their roster may be largely set, they will need to install a new offense that prioritizes spacing and giving everyone opportunities on the floor. The Sky will face a tough opponent in the Minnesota Lynx, one of the league's top squads last season, during the preseason. The 2024 runners-up will provide the perfect test for a rising young core featuring a number of new additions, including two recent draftees in Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld.
How will the Sky's young core fare during their first three preseason games? Will they be up to the task of implementing a new culture and philosophy under head coach Tyler Marsh?
The Sky's young core must take center stage in the preseason
While some of the Sky's newest veterans will be headliners this season, it will be up to the Sky's younger options to sharpen their skills and shoulder larger roles during the preseason.
Marsh had high praise for Kamilla Cardoso, who proved to be a bright spot for the Sky during her rookie season, during a Monday conference.
"Her attention to detail these first few days has been awesome," Marsh said. "She's developed a really good connection and rapport with Courtney Paris. I'm looking to seeing that relationship build moving forward.
"She's been great on both ends. She knows how important she is to us from a defensive and offensive standpoint. Her potential is through the roof, and we're going to utilize her as much as possible."
The 6-foot-7 center must be a dynamic big and a potential top option for the Sky to ultimately hit their potential on offense. She showed she can be a multi-dimensional big with the Sky and with the Shanghai Swordfish of the Chinese WCBA, where she was recognized as Player of the Week a handful of times. Her passing potential could make her an invaluable part of the Sky's frontcourt, a skill she will need to put on display in the preseason.
Angel Reese, Westbeld and Van Lith will all need to be as involved as they can and get as many reps as possible to solidify their spots on Chicago's roster. With plenty of reps and time on the floor together, the team can be a few steps closer to getting them more acclimated to the speed and the physicality of the WNBA and put them in the proper place to succeed early on.