Latest news with #KamillaCardoso
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Courtney Vandersloot Reacts to Candace Parker's Chicago Sky Jersey Retirement
Courtney Vandersloot Reacts to Candace Parker's Chicago Sky Jersey Retirement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the Chicago Sky prepare to retire Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey on August 25, franchise legend Courtney Vandersloot is embracing her role in leading the next generation. Advertisement 'It was awesome to see. I just found out, too,' Vandersloot told RG. 'She's obviously a Chicago sports icon, a WNBA icon, and a legend. She's done so much for the game—she deserves it. I'm excited to be able to celebrate her and honor her.' Parker's résumé is among the most decorated in league history. A two-time WNBA MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and six-time All-WNBA selection, she won championships beginning with the Los Angeles Sparks, then followed by the Sky and Las Vegas Aces. In 2021, she helped deliver Chicago's first WNBA title, fulfilling her promise to bring a championship home. The two helped guide the Sky to their first WNBA championship in 2021. Now in her 15th season, Vandersloot is back in Chicago, both directing the offense and mentoring a young roster that includes Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. On Thursday, Vandersloot became the franchise's all-time leading scorer during a 97–92 win over the Dallas Wings. 'It took me a thousand years to do it, but it speaks to my commitment to the Sky—and their commitment to me,' she said. 'Passing Allie [Quigley] is special—she deserves the record. But she's glad it's me.' Aug 20, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) celebrates with forward Candace Parker (3) during the second half of Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Reese credited Vandersloot's steady presence for helping her and Cardoso find their footing. Advertisement 'She's one of the best point guards in league history,' Reese told RG. 'A lot of veterans might rush the process, but she trusts it and gives us a lot of grace.' Cardoso added: 'She's always early in the gym, stretching, doing extra work. She lifts us up.' With Parker's jersey set to rise and a young core developing, Vandersloot remains at the heart of Chicago's transformation, honoring the past while building toward the future. Related: Angel Reese Praised by Chicago Sky Teammate After Second Straight Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Angel Reese aims to expand her shot profile in Year 2 with Sky — while continuing to dominate the boards
Angel Reese aims to expand her shot profile in Year 2 with Sky — while continuing to dominate the boards CHICAGO — Two days into the Chicago Sky's training camp, Angel Reese still hadn't posted up. It was a distinct shift from Reese's prior function in Chicago, but the second-year forward knew it was coming. In the first week of camp, new coach Tyler Marsh is tackling one of the most important challenges of his system — how to create enough offensive balance for both of his frontcourt stars to succeed. Advertisement For Reese, that means adapting to a modified role that will tap into her full potential as a stretch-four. 'It's obviously a transition for me,' Reese told the Chicago Tribune. 'But I don't mind if it frees up Kamilla (Cardoso). I know eventually in the game, if I'm the first post down, I'm ducking in. I know it's going to come.' This doesn't mean Reese never will post up again. But Marsh understands if the Sky want to build an effective offense, they need to start by building out space in the half court. Last season they struggled to keep the offense from getting clogged in the paint. The Sky took the fewest 3-pointers in the league by far — 14.9 per game, more than three per game fewer than the next-closest team — allowing defenses to sag into the paint and throw numbers at the rookie frontcourt duo. And that led to one of the league's most stagnant offenses, with the lowest assist rate (63.9%) and second-worst offensive rating (97). Advertisement In the new-look offense, Reese still won't spend much time behind the 3-point arc. The guards will be the ones tasked with pulling defenses out toward the perimeter. But to meet the new spacing demands, Reese must change the way she navigates the area inside the arc by increasing her off-ball cuts and relocating relentlessly to keep the floor balanced. 'A huge point of emphasis for us has been how to maintain and create space, whether that's for the perimeter players or for the post players,' Marsh said. 'Once we've established that, we'll get to how we work them inside.' Marsh isn't asking for everything to change. Reese is the league's best rebounder and led the WNBA in second-chance points per game (4.1) as a rookie. If a shot is going up, the Sky always will want Reese to crash the boards. And her proficiency at creating shots at the rim — both rolling downhill off screens and with her back to the basket — remains a key weapon that Marsh will work to highlight in the new offense. Advertisement But both Marsh and Reese believe she is more than just a low-post scorer. This change isn't all about Cardoso, who certainly will benefit from a more spread-out offense. But so will Reese, who often was bludgeoned by double teams and help-side defense due to opponents' ability to compact the paint. And if Reese wants to build out her offensive profile, she knows she must add more versatility to her range. 'I'm still doing my post work, but I've got to come with more this year,' she said. 'I've got to be able to shoot the midrange shot, 10 to 15 feet, be able to shoot the 3, the 2 consistently. I work every day on it, so I've got to take the shots.' Reese may pull the trigger on a few more 3-pointers this season, but the change to her shot profile is mostly focused on getting her more midrange jump shots, both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. That's a shot she drilled relentlessly throughout the offseason, in both the Unrivaled league and her private training sessions. Advertisement Expanding Reese's shot profile will be a long-term project. She shot 39.1% from the field in her rookie season, a sizable deficit compared with forwards such as Alyssa Thomas (50.9%), Aaliyah Edwards (49%), NaLyssa Smith (48%) and Rickea Jackson (45.6%). And Reese's shooting suffered when she ventured away from the basket. In 34 games as a rookie, she took 233 of her 419 shots at the rim. She attempted only 80 jump shots while generating 272 of her 462 points (58.9%) off layups. Reese shot 28.7% on jump shots and 28.3% (17 of 60) outside the paint, including 18.8% (3 of 16) behind the arc. This raises a tough question: How does a young player improve her efficiency while simultaneously taking more shots outside her comfort zone? There's no clear answer. But Reese is ready to embrace the challenge. Advertisement 'What's the point of me working on it if I'm not going to take the shot?' she said. 'The best thing is just to have great teammates and coaches around you that put confidence in you. And I'm a pretty confident person, so I think it's going to be pretty easy.' Outside of shooting, the Sky's new system under Marsh will tap into a part of Reese's game she always has loved. Reese likes having the ball in her hands. She played point guard in AAU ball and defined herself as a wing when she entered college. Scouting reports from her years at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore described her as a stretch-four who offered a perimeter threat as a passer. Things changed at Maryland, where Reese molded herself into a more traditional forward role that continued after she transferred to LSU. But she still considers facilitation to be one of the strongest — and least utilized — aspects of her game. Advertisement That was clear in the debut season of Unrivaled, as Reese dished the ball eagerly and slung full-court passes to teammates in transition. For Reese, those moments highlighted an older version of her game that she hopes to bring back: 'I was just being the player I used to be.' Both Cardoso and Reese will be asked to facilitate more in the offense this season, aided by the presence of veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot. For Reese, that means passing through the post and out of the elbow to initiate high-low sequences with Cardoso and feed the guards on the perimeter. And as the team's leading rebounder, her ability to initiate the offense in transition will be vital in creating a fast-paced style. 'I think that's going to be one of the keys for this team — the versatility,' Reese said. 'Being able to get the rebound and just push and create and make people have to guard us on every end of the court.' Advertisement This season may come with some growing pains for Reese. Improving her shot while taking different looks could make for a challenging first month, especially while she's also expected to lead the defense and dominate the boards. But if the Sky can maximize Reese's offensive potential? Well, that's the next step toward building this team into a playoff contender. ____
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angel Reese's Decision During Chicago Sky's First Win Catches Attention
Angel Reese's Decision During Chicago Sky's First Win Catches Attention originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky improved to 1-4 during the 2025 WNBA season after Thursday's win against the Dallas Wings. Not only was this the first win of the season for the Sky, but the first of head coach Tyler Marsh's career. Advertisement It was a well-rounded effort for Chicago, with Kamilla Cardoso scoring 23 points, Ariel Atkins adding 17, and Courtney Vandersloot chipping in 13. Vandersloot also became the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 3,728 points. Clinging to a 95 to 92 lead with just 29 seconds left to play, the Chicago Sky put together an incredible possession that resulted in a made pull-up jump shot by Atkins. This put the Sky up by five points with just 16.3 seconds remaining. After Vandersloot came off the ball screen and hit Cardoso on the roll, Cardoso found Angel Reese open underneath the basket. Instead of going up for a shot, Reese gathered the ball and found Rebecca Allen in the corner, who ended up getting the game-clinching assist. Advertisement Fans were divided on what Reese should have done in that situation. Given that there was just seven seconds remaining on the shot clock, plenty of people responded to the play by saying that Reese should have taken the shot. "Angel should've took that but good ball movement," one fan responded. "This was a beautiful play for sure. But in reality, Angel gotta go straight up," another fan said. "Bro yall keep saying run some clock like the shot clock not still in play," a fan replied. "By time Angel gotta the ball it was 7 seconds left on the shot clock." Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Reese still received a fair amount of praise for her decision to pass the ball out, however, as it ultimately led to a bucket that put the game out of reach. Advertisement "Nah angel didn't wanna mess up the game winning play which was smart," a fan replied. "Made the right pass." "She had two defenders in her face the second she touched the ball," one fan pointed out. "It was the right move." "There were FOUR opponents in the paint when AR had the ball," another fan added. "Kicking the ball out like this is going to end up giving her way more open looks." The Sky's next game is against the Dallas Wings once again, as the teams will complete a two-game series against each other. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST on Saturday. Related: DiJonai Carrington Had 8 Words for Paige Bueckers After Wings' Loss to Sky Related: Dallas Wings Announce Injury Update After Paige Bueckers News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angel Reese's Behavior Toward Paige Bueckers Draws Attention After Chicago Sky's First Win
Angel Reese's Behavior Toward Paige Bueckers Draws Attention After Chicago Sky's First Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky held on Thursday night to secure a 97–92 victory over the Dallas Wings, led by a career-high 23 points from Kamilla Cardoso, who also added eight rebounds. The win marked Chicago's first of the WNBA season, improving their record to 1–4. Advertisement Both the Sky and the Wings feature young rosters and are expected to experience some growing pains this season. The two teams will face off again on Saturday, this time in Dallas. Late in Thursday's game, a lighthearted moment drew attention when Angel Reese approached Wings rookie and No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers with a smile. Reese appeared to crack a joke, prompting Bueckers to walk away smiling and shaking her head — a brief exchange that quickly caught the eye of fans online. Check it out: Fans reacted to the interaction: "Funny how they love and respect one another," a fan said. Advertisement Another fan posted, "I love Paiges reaction to angel! They are both my favs!" "I love how everyone loves Paige," someone else added. One more fan commented, "They act like professionals to each other as they should. No flagrant fouls or shoves out of bounds. Just mutual respect." Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Bueckers finished the game with 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds, three steals, and three blocks — showcasing her all-around impact. Reese, meanwhile, recorded six points, nine rebounds, and five assists while shooting 2-for-6 from the field. In a surprising move, Reese saw a noticeably reduced role from head coach Tyler Marsh. She played just 25 minutes — fewer than teammates Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, and Kamilla Cardoso — despite her strong presence on the boards. Advertisement Related: Chicago Sky Announce Big News on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sheryl Swoopes Demands Referee From Angel Reese Game Never Officiates Again
Sheryl Swoopes Demands Referee From Angel Reese Game Never Officiates Again originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Thursday night's WNBA matchup between the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky was a hard-fought, competitive contest, one of just two games on the schedule. Advertisement While rookie Paige Bueckers scored 15 points and Arike Ogunbowale dropped 37 for the Wings, and the Sky's Angel Reese continued to struggle with her shooting, the most talked-about moment didn't come until after the final buzzer. Following the Sky's 97-92 win, Dallas guard DiJonai Carrington appeared to be speaking with a referee. The interaction became tense enough that the official seemed to motion for security to intervene. That sparked a strong response from WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, who took to social media to voice her frustration. "If this man was scared (of what, I don't know) and needed security, he should NEVER be able to ref again!!! This can't be real!!!TF" Carrington logged heavy minutes in the loss, playing 37 and scoring 15 points. She was one of four Wings players to finish in double figures. On the other side, second-year forward Kamilla Cardoso led all Chicago scorers with 23 points. Advertisement The win marked the Sky's first victory of the season after starting 0-4. Dallas fell to 1-5 with the loss. WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes.© Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK Swoopes, one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, played from 1997-2011. She began her career with the Houston Comets, then moved on to the Seattle Storm before finishing with the Tulsa Shock. She is a four-time WNBA champion and three-time league MVP. Swoopes made six All-Star appearances and won All-Star game MVP in 2005. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, she wrapped up her WNBA career with 4,875 points and 1,596 rebounds. The Wings and Sky will face off again Saturday night, this time in Dallas. Bueckers is expected to miss at least two games while in concussion protocol. Advertisement Related: Brittney Griner's Clear Statement to Dream Teammate After Career Achievement Related: New WNBA Franchise Makes Big Announcement on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
