Chicago Sky basketball: One dark cloud and one bright one

The Chicago Sky women’s basketball team is off and running with a bit of a mixed bag to start the season.

The record is 3-3 so far, coming off a tough loss to Minnesota on Saturday, May 23, but the real story so far has the “tale of two clouds.”

The bright cloud—Natasha Cloud—was picked up right before the season started. Cloud, aWNBA veteran who has made all-star teams and all-defensive teams in the past, has given the Sky yet another ball handler and another scorer that opposing defenses have to account for. Maybe most important of all is that she provides strong competitive leadership to a team that is young and developing.

Cloud, Skylar Diggins and longtime Sky guard CourtneyVandersloot are the clear leaders for this team.

The dark cloud? Just a few games into the season,the team was off to a glowing 3-1 start, when their leading scorer and top offensive threat, Rickea Jackson, went down with a season-ending injury. 

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Ouch. Big time ouch. A terrible break for the team, and terrible as well for Jackson, who looked on the verge of having a real breakout season.

But they must press on and find ways to win without her.

The team’s strength right now is depth and balance, with multiple players contributing–-some young and some not so young.

Veteran Skylar Diggins has been one of their top scorers so far, with the previously mentioned Natasha Cloud, returning sharp-shooter Rachel Banham, Jacy Sheldon, and first-round rookie draft choice Gabrielle Jacquez all rotating in the backcourt. DiJonaiCarrington is another one who is injured, but should really help when she is ready to go.

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Upfront, post player Kamilla Cardoso is the key. At times, she can be dominant,  but she is still trying to put it all together.As a third-year player, the Sky will really need Cardoso to take the next step and be a difference-maker on both offense and defense.

Elizabeth Williams and Azura Stevens add depth to the front court—but again, the loss of Rickea Jackson hurts upfront for sure.

Overall, it should be a fun team to watch. The Sky compete hard, and you can tell, even though with a brand-new mix of players, they really support each other and the team chemistry is solid.

Let’s hope the season has many more bright clouds than dark ones!