DEERFIELD, IL — The Chicago Sky are starting an exciting 2024 WNBA season journey. After adding lottery picks Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso to the squad, Chicago is ready to prove themselves to the rest of the league. Reese and head coach Teresa Weatherspoon gave motivating takes on the Sky’s lowly preseason WNBA power rankings.

The Sky ranked last (12 of 12) in several media outlets’ preseason rankings. Chicago has work to do, but the team is motivated to show the world what they can do. Angel Reese spoke on how the team’s standing gives them an edge as they start the season.

“Obviously, there’s no way but up. We can’t go any lower. So, it gives us a lot of motivation because our team knows who we are, and being a new team, new coaching staff, I think we’re going to come together and surprise a lot of people,” Reese said after practice on Monday.

Second-year guard Kysre Gonzedrick echoed Reese’s thoughts after finding out she was one of the last players to make the 2024 Chicago Sky roster. She spoke about Chicago having a chip on their shoulder and believing in the members of the organization.

“Everybody on this team has something to prove…Playing for a players’ coach [in Teresa Weatherspoon] being able to have that level of acumen sitting on the bench [helps us grow as professionals],” Gonzedrick said.

Teresa Weatherspoon is as motivated as her players are. Her thoughts on how much attention she pays to power rankings are eye-opening.

“None. I’ve played basketball long enough to know that you can’t pay attention to that. It’s all about what you do when step in between those four lines,” Weatherspoon claimed.

With the right mindset, the Sky can outperform their low WNBA power ranking perception.

Angel Reese, Sky prepare to climb Eastern Conference standings in pivotal season

Chicago finished the 2023 season with an 18-22 record, which earned them an eighth-seed spot in the WNBA Playoffs. They played against the heavy-hitting Las Vegas Aces in the first round and lost the series 2-0. Their early exit was surprising considering their prior two postseason finishes.

In 2021, the Sky won the WNBA Finals under the leadership of coach James Wade, Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper, and Courtney Vandersloot. It was their first title in franchise history. Chicago followed their stellar season up with a second-round playoff appearance in 2022, losing to the Connecticut Sun in five games.

Many changes have occurred since Chicago’s deep runs. The team is entering a new era partially headlined by the arrival of Angel Reese. Reese had a stellar collegiate career with the LSU women’s basketball team.

The 6’3″ forward starts her 2024 WNBA season with national championship experience and a drive to succeed. As a double-double machine, Reese looks to wreak havoc against opposing teams’ interiors. Reese made a promising debut against the Dallas Wings on May 15th, amassing 12 points and eight rebounds.

As the rookie forward said, she and the Sky have nowhere to go but up. Can she and the rest of Chicago’s talent climb the East and shock the world?