Chicago Sky pick Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese in first round of WNBA Draft

The Chicago Sky makes big splash in WNBA draft

CHICAGO (CBS) – The Chicago Sky selected two of the best college players in the country during Monday night's WNBA Draft.

With the No. 3 pick, the Sky selected South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso, who is coming off a national championship, and at No. 7 overall, the Sky stuck with another big, picking LSU forward Angel Reese.

Then with the first pick of the second round (13th overall), the Sky selected Gonzaga guard Bryanna Maxwell.

South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso (10) drives around Iowa forward Addison O'Grady during the first half of the Final Four college basketball championship game in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. Morry Gash / AP

The Sky acquired the No. 3 overall pick from the Phoenix Mercury as part of the Kahleah Copper trade. They also traded up from the eighth overall pick to No. 7 on Sunday  and own the first pick in the second round at No. 13 overall.

"When free agency started, we didn't have this draft capital," said new Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca. "We were able to significantly improve where we were at."

LSU forward Angel Reese (10) moves the ball against Iowa during the first half of a Elite Eight college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. Hans Pennink / AP

Pagliocca said the team wants to get younger and "want players that are built for us."

Last year, the Sky introduced new Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon as its new head coach. She was a five-time All-Star and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

"We have a strong core," Pagliocca added. "We have a lot of depth and we're looking for players that can come in and help immediately and also be organizational pieces too that we can have for a long time."

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