Certainly not the news that Kamilla Cardoso and the Chicago Sky—not to mention the WNBA as a whole—wanted a week before the league's 2024 Opening Night. However, Cardoso was diagnosed with a shoulder injury in training camp on Monday, which will sideline her for 4-6 weeks. The injury occurred during the team's preseason opener.
It's a disappointing development for the Sky's No. 3 draft pick, who is coming off an undefeated championship season with South Carolina. While there, she gained national attention and established herself as a dominant force in the frontcourt, averaging 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds. Additionally, she recorded 2.5 blocks and 2.0 assists in 25.4 minutes per game. The Sky's other top rookie, No. 13 pick Brynna Maxwell
, is also expected to miss time, sidelined for 3-4 weeks due to a knee injury. Coach Teresa Witherspoon addressed the injuries for both players but did not provide details on their specific injuries. "'They're working hard to recover and get back into action,' Weatherspoon said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 'This is a long season, and we want to ensure that each player receives proper care.'"Kamilla Cardoso Will Miss About 10 Games
Standing at 6-foot-7, Cardoso is projected to begin her first WNBA season coming off the bench, with aspirations of eventually becoming a starter. However, the injury is expected to keep her out for at least eight games. Weatherspoon's task was always going to be integrating the playing styles of Cardoso and fellow first-rounder Angel Reese, who is anticipated to be a starter."They enter with a strong belief in their abilities, knowing what they can accomplish. Additionally, they understand the areas where they must improve. When you have that, you know they are committed to becoming better than they are now,"
Weatherspoon remarked last week
"If you've truly observed them, they compete at all costs and are determined to win. Hailing from winning programs, they've been well-coached. And I appreciate it."
In the 2024 WNBA mock draft,
ESPN labeled Cardoso as a distinctive , although raw, prospect:.
"There are not many players in women's basketball with the size, strength, and agility of the 6-7 Cardoso, which is why she could also go second or third. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley expressed during the Albany 1 Regional that she hopes to see what she calls 'Killa Kamilla' at the Final Four: Cardoso focused and resolute, maximizing her physical advantages."
Chicago Sky Game to Be Broadcasted Fortunately for Chicago Sky fans, the team's second WNBA preseason game will be available for viewing after viewers expressed outrage when the preseason opener against Minnesota last Friday was not televised. The game still attracted over half a million viewers to one fan's livestream.The Sky will go up against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena, and the game will be broadcasted on WNBA League Pass, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Weatherspoon stated: "The group of young women that we have, it's deserving for them to be seen. It's great to know that it changed, allowing us to be seen and to play the game of basketball the way we love and have fun, while the world can watch."
Kamilla Cardoso, who was selected as the third pick in the WNBA draft, injured her shoulder during her first preseason game with the Chicago Sky. She will be sidelined for a long time.
The good news for fans of the Chicago Sky is that the team’s second WNBA preseason game will be available for viewing after fans were outraged that the preseason opener against Minnesota last Friday was not televised. The game still drew more than a half-million viewer’s to one fan’s livestream of the game.
The Sky face the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena. That showdown will be aired on WNBA League Pass, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Said Weatherspoon: “The group of young ladies that we have, it’s a deserving thing for them to be seen. It’s good to know that it changed and for us to be seen and for us to play the game of basketball the way that we love and to have fun doing it with the world being able to watch.”
