Chicago Sky Reflects on 2024 Season: Young Core and Draft Strategy

The Chicago Sky experienced a challenging season in 2024, finishing with a 13-26 record, which placed them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Despite the tough year, the team maintains a promising young core around which to build. At the forefront of this core is Angel Reese, a 22-year-old power forward who made a significant impact in her rookie season.

Angel Reese’s Impressive Rookie Season

Rese was instrumental in leading the Sky to the WNBA All-Star Team and the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2024. Her standout performance included becoming the league’s rebound leader, showcasing her defensive prowess and competitiveness. The Sky acquired Reese with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft after she led LSU to a NCAA championship in 2023.

Advice from Jula Poe: Draft Strategy for the Sky

Jula Poe, a respected sports columnist with the Chicago Tribune, offered strategic advice regarding the Sky’s approach to the upcoming draft. Poe emphasized that while Aneesah Morrow, a talented star from LSU and a teammate of Reese, could fit into the top 10 draft picks, she may not align with the Sky’s current positional needs.

Poe highlighted that Morrow, a recent standout at DePaul and now a key player for LSU, could follow in the footsteps of celebrated Chicago-born players such as Candace Parker, Jewell Loyd, and Allie Quigley. However, she advised the Sky to consider the match between Morrow’s skills and their team’s objectives.

“The Sky could bring Morrow home to Chicago, but their positional needs don’t match up with the forward’s skill set. The best situation for Morrow would be to land with a franchise that offers a good fit for her skills as both a scorer and a defender — even if that means playing against, rather than for, her hometown team,” Poe wrote.

Aneesah Morrow’s College Basketball Dominance

Morrow has been a standout player in college basketball, averaging 25.7 points per game during her rookie season at DePaul in 2022-23. Since transitioning to LSU, she has continued to impress, currently averaging 18.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. LSU stands at an undefeated 15-0 and is ranked No. 6 in the national standings, thanks in large part to Morrow’s contributions.

Implications for the Chicago Sky’s Future

The Sky’s focus on building around their young talent, particularly Angel Reese, suggests a long-term strategy that could lead to future success. While Morrow’s potential is undeniable, her skill set may not align perfectly with the Sky’s immediate needs. By carefully considering each draft pick, the Sky can ensure that their roster remains balanced and well-equipped for future challenges.

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