After a difficult 2024 season in which the Chicago Sky had a 13-27 record, Tyler Marsh‘s team is hoping to turn the page and achieve better results.
The 2025 WNBA Draft brought in young Hailey Van Lith, selected 11th overall, and Aja Sivka, selected 10th overall, and with them, the team will have plenty of upside and scoring power. However, there are also their star players such as Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, who ignited the pre-match by reminiscing about their former teams and opening the way for controversy.
The Brazilian National Team, where Kamilla played, will face the Sky this May 2 at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Reese’s former home. “Brazil has been pivotal in my life and has shaped the person I am today. Playing for the Sky against my former team gives me a wonderful opportunity to connect with my roots and play in front of old friends and teammates from back home,” Cardoso shared.
However, with Baton Rouge, she also has a fortune. “Well, we win every time we play them, right? So…,” Cardoso said.
And the rivalry goes way back, but it was clearly demonstrated in 2024 during the SEC Championship, where Angel grabbed Cardoso by the hair and Kamilla came off the courts for shoving Flau’jae Johnson. This only increased the rivalry between South Carolina and LSU. Because of this, this game is more than a preseason exhibition.
But no doubt, what no one imagined is that just a few weeks later, Reese and Cardoso would end up on the same team. Will they give up their rivalries to take the Chicago Sky to the top?
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso
Reese had a great rookie season, where she averaged 13.1 rebounds and 13.6 points. With her quick and agile personality and recovered from her hand injury, she is more ready to be the key player for Chicago.
For her part, Cardoso in her rookie season, averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, and ranked second in the league behind Angel.
To start the season, the team is expected to rely on the Reese-Cardoso duo and the vitality and accuracy of freshman Hailey Van Lith. Next May 17, when they visit Indiana Fever, they will have to leave it all on the court as the match promises to be a high-level showdown, as they will have to face the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark.
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