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Chicago Sky Announce Change After Kamilla Cardoso Leaves Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi M. Dombro | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 10:43 PM ET

The Chicago Sky are carrying a 4-10 record into Friday evening's contest against the 7-7 Golden State Valkyries. They are currently in 11th place in the league standings and will look to win consecutive games for just the second time during the 2025 WNBA season.

2024 All-Rookie center Kamilla Cardoso led the charge during Tuesday's win against the Los Angeles Sparks. She contributed a career-high 27 points in addition to seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Angel Reese, who made the WNBA All-Star team during her rookie campaign last season, contributed 18 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four steals as well in the win.

Unfortunately, Cardoso began her temporary absence from the Sky after Tuesday's game as she will play for her home country, Brazil, in the Americup tournament during late June and early July. She will be unavailable for the game against the Valkyries.

First-year head coach Tyler Marsh had a decision to make about who would start in Cardoso's place alongside Reese. The Sky announced just before Friday's game that five-year veteran forward Michaela Onyenwere would start in her place.

"your starting 5️⃣ tonight," the Sky wrote.

your starting 5️⃣ tonight @OlaySkin | #skytown pic.twitter.com/cqB4jmj8n5
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) June 28, 2025

Onyenwere joined the Sky last season and has played in 48 games for Chicago in just under a season and a half. She started 18 contests last season, but Friday will mark her first start of the 2025 campaign.

This season, Onyenwere has played in all 14 games and is averaging 4.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists per contest in just 12.4 minutes per game.

Her best game of the season came on June 21 against the Phoenix Mercury when she poured in 17 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Tipoff between the Sky and Valkyries is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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