Chicago Sky will prioritize shooting with the No. 3 pick in the draft

“We are ecstatic to receive another top-four draft pick…to build on our roster and create a winning franchise,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement. “As the draft talent pool continues to expand, we look forward to adding exceptional new stars to the Sky on draft night in April.”

Last year, the Sky acquired the No. 3 pick by trading Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury and drafted 6’7 center Kamilla Cardoso. They then traded up to draft 6’3 rebounding prowess Angel Reese with the No. 7 pick.

This year, the Sky entered the draft lottery as one of four teams that failed to make the playoffs. With the future of the team’s front court in place, they turn now to improving their perimeter play.

Based on The Next’s own draft board and ESPN projections, the 2025 draft pool looks strong. Available talent could include UConn’s Azzi Fudd, Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron, South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao and USC’s Kiki Iriafen.¹

New Sky head coach Tyler Marsh stressed that shooting will be the main area of improvement for the team, which made the fewest 3-pointers per game last season. Pagliocca confirmed that this will be the top priority in the draft. 

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The Sky currently have three guards under contract: Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, and Lindsay Allen. Of the three, Banham is the only high-volume three-point shooter, and none are taller than 5’8. 

That means adding more size on the wing, in addition to shooting, would be helpful. 

“I’ll always look at positional size,” Pagliocca told reporters after the draft lottery ended. “If you’ve got a player with length it gives them the ability to make plays in the paint, see over defenses, make plays for other people and get shots off.”  

The Sky’s draft strategy will also be influenced by the moves they make in free agency. Maybe the biggest open question facing the Sky: will they resign their 2024 leading scorer, Chennedy Carter? 

During exit interviews Carter said she could see a future in Chicago. But that was before the departure of supporter and head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Since then, neither Pagliocca nor Marsh have tipped their hand as to whether Carter remains a priority. 

However, if the Sky do retain Carter, the move would underscore the importance of adding shooting and length through the draft. At 5’9, Carter is a capable shooter, but she does most of her scoring in the paint. 

In addition to the No. 3 pick, the Sky will also have the No. 10 pick in the draft.

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1. In some cases, a prospect’s availability won’t be known until they announce their plans for their final year of eligibility  ↩︎