Slovenian Ajša Sivka headlines Chicago’s 2025 draft class at No. 10

As the night went on, the team indicated it may be awhile before fans get to know their top pick. Sivka currently plays in the top French league, and getting her to the WNBA may take time. Longer term, however, the 6’3 combo forward could develop into something special. 

The Next’s draft analysts noted Sivka’s 3-point shooting (35.3% this season), passing and perimeter defense as strengths. Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca—who’s been focused on adding “shooting forwards” to the roster—sees her as a rare breed.

“At that size, […] as far as her mobility and her ability to shoot the ball and shoot as quickly as she does, there’s just not a lot of them,” Pagliocca told reporters of Sivka. 

Sivka may be a “draft and stash” candidate

Sivka is the first Slovenian player to go in the first round of the WNBA draft, and one of three international players selected in the first round last night. But barriers including the prioritization rule keep international players from immediately joining WNBA teams. On draft night, Pagliocca said conversations about bringing Sivka to the W are “ongoing.”

As a 19-year old development project, Sivka might be a candidate for the “draft and stash” strategy teams employ with international players. In that scenario, the Sky would keep the rights to Sivka without signing her to a contract. She could continue to develop her ball-handling and athleticism—priorities for the Sky front office—overseas. 

“We’re going to try to continue to develop and see if we can have her game grow to be much more than just a shooter,” Pagliocca said.

However, if Sivka does choose to play for the Sky this season, she could fill an immediate need. Neither Isabelle Harrison nor Brianna Turner returned to the Sky, leaving the backup power forward spot wide open.   

If Sivka stays overseas, that spot could fall to Morgan Bertsch—currently signed to a training camp contract. The Sky’s No. 16 pick Maddy Westbeld will also compete for the job.

Sky deal to add combo guard Hailey Van Lith

To add Hailey Van Lith at No. 11, the Sky gave up their 2026 first-round pick to the Minnesota Lynx. Such a move signals the front office’s confidence that Van Lith will not only make the roster, but contribute significantly.

Van Lith’s toughness and “winning mindset” stuck out to Pagliocca and head coach Tyler Marsh. In college, Van Lith was the first player to reach the Elite Eight five times—including a 2024 run with current Sky cornerstone Angel Reese. 

As a senior at TCU, Van Lith averaged 17.9 points per game and was named a third-team All-American. Our draft analysts project her as a solid backup guard in the W, relying on good but not great playmaking and shooting.

With the Sky, Van Lith’s toughness will be tested immediately. She’ll need to battle for minutes in a crowded backcourt featuring veterans Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, Moriah Jefferson, Kia Nurse, and Rachel Banham.

How the Sky’s second-round picks may fit

The Sky selected Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld and Texas A&M’s Aicha Coulibaly with the Nos. 16 and 22 picks. 

A 34.9% 3-point shooter in college, Westbeld is another “shooting forward” who could help space the floor. Current Sky bigs Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Elizabeth Williams are not yet true perimeter threats. As a result, Pagliocca values Westbeld’s ability to pick-and-pop.

Coulibaly will have a harder time making the final roster. With only 12 spots available from the Sky’s 17 training camp invitees, the 6’0 slasher must outperform other guard prospects on temporary contracts, including Arella Guirantes (a 2021 No. 16 pick with WNBA experience) and Alex Wilson (a 31-year-old veteran from Australia’s premier league).

How previous moves set up the Sky’s 2025 draft

For the second year in a row, the Sky traded future assets to upgrade their draft haul. Last year, the Sky gave up swap rights to their 2026 first-round pick to get Angel Reese. This year they turned over that pick entirely to get Van Lith. When asked about the trade on draft night, Pagliocca reminded reporters they “like to be aggressive” in adding good fits.

The Sky’s most aggressive move came earlier in the offseason. Pagliocca sent the No. 3 pick to the Washington Mystics in return for two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins. 

Pagliocca emphasized to reporters that the move didn’t reflect his evaluation of draft talent or uncertainty related to top prospects. (Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles ended up announcing her return to college basketball). It just demonstrated the team’s belief in Atkins.

“When you have somebody that checks the boxes not only to get us closer to the playoffs but to get closer to a championship again, that’s why we did what we did with Ariel,” Pagliocca said.

The Mystics ended up drafting Notre Dame wing Sonia Citron at No. 3.