Jacob Musselman / For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

WNBA Makes Exciting Kamilla Cardoso Post Before Departure From Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 2:12 AM ET

The Chicago Sky entered Tuesday’s contest against the Los Angeles Sparks in search of a spark themselves.

With a 3-10 record and sitting second last in the Eastern Conference through their first 13 games of 2025, the Sky were desperate to arrest a midseason slide that had seen them lose six of seven entering the matchup.

Facing a Sparks squad also chasing consistency, Chicago needed a standout performance to shift momentum.

That performance arrived courtesy of second-year center Kamilla Cardoso.

Cardoso delivered one of the most electric displays of her young WNBA career, pouring in a career-high 27 points and adding seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in a 97-86 Sky victory at Wintrust Arena.

Recognition was swift.

The WNBA posted an Instagram story tribute shortly after the buzzer, highlighting Cardoso as the league’s Top Performer of the night.

A native of Montes Claros, Brazil, Cardoso starred at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy before playing two seasons at Syracuse (2020-2021) and transferring to South Carolina.

There, she won two NCAA championships (2022, 2024) and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Selected third overall by Chicago in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she missed parts of her rookie season with a shoulder injury but still averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

As the Sky prepare for upcoming road games against the Golden State Valkyries and Sparks later this week, they’ll look to build on this signature win.

Unfortunately, they'll have to do so without Cardoso, who will now suit up for the Brazilian national team at the FIBA AmeriCup, which tips off on Saturday.

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

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