The Chicago Sky are poised to begin the franchise’s 20th season, a season in which the expectations are greater than they have been in a long time.
After a 2024 season in which they went 13-24, saw key players battle injuries, missed the playoffs and the abruptly fired then-head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, the Sky are, once again, looking to charter a new course. This time, former Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Tyler Marsh is steering the ship, seeking to turn things around on arguably the most enjoyable side of the ball: offense.
Offensive woes sunk the 2024 Sky
The Sky finished the 2024 season with some of the lowest offensive numbers in the league. They had a 97.0 offensive rating, which was 11th out of 12 teams. Chicago scored 86.5 points per game in wins and 73.0 in losses.
A major reason for their offensive woes was a lack of outside shooting, a problem that was exacerbated by the trading of Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun last July, leaving a huge perimeter shooting void. Even though the Sky acquired Moriah Jefferson and Rachel Banham in return, scoring was a struggle, as their then-rookie frontcourt of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso wasn’t developed enough to efficiently score points in the paint.
On top of all that, in Weatherspoon the Sky had a defensive-oriented coach.
Offensive improvement can elevate the 2025 Sky
With the drafting of TCU standout guard Hailey Van Lith with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and the addition of some lauded veterans, the Sky are on a quest to become a worthy contender in the league—with offense being their compass.
It starts at the top with Marsh, who has emphasized the need to simply shoot the ball. He brings with him an impressive developmental track record, highlighted by Aces’ stars A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young. Marsh helped develop Young into one of the most formidable shooters in the league, especially at the 3-point line. In 2022, she shot 43.1 percent from beyond the arc and 66.2 percent in the paint. Wilson only grew, undoubtedly, into the best all-around player in the league.
The head coach is looking to recreate that magic with the Sky, with a keen focus on some notable talent.
Reese is looking to build off a rookie season in which she set records for double-doubles and rebounding. But one of the criticisms of Reese has been her perceived inability to shoot from the outside. During the offseason, Reese worked on shooting from midrange, a skill that could allow her to play more on the wing, in addition to around the basket. Marsh is even looking to get her out to the 3-point line when necessary.
Cardoso is looking to get back to form after a season that was riddled with injuries and underutilization. When healthy, she can be a versatile player who can score in bunches, as well as grab some boards. Despite being 6-foot-7, Cardoso is known for her quickness, which she shows off when getting out in transition. She also is looking to improve on reading and maneuvering screens.
Then, there is the point guard pair of the veteran Courtney Vandersloot with the rookie Van Lith. Vandersloot, who was part of the 2021 championship team, is unquestionably one of the most effective shooters and playmakers. Van Lith’s game mirrors that of Vandersloot in some important ways. Both have been known to lead, play with grit and operate effectively both on and off the ball.
Combined, their playmaking could help broaden the Sky’s depth on the wing, enhancing the scoring and creation contributions of Banham, Jefferson, Micheala Onyenwere, Rebecca Allen and Ariel Atkins.
Overall, the Sky must push the tempo, shoot the ball with greater regularity, get the most out of everyone’s strengths and improve upon their individual weaknesses. If they can do that, then they could at least make a run for the playoffs now—and maybe a championship later.
