WNBA Reacts to Chennedy Carter's Return After One Season Away

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

WNBA Reacts to Chennedy Carter's Return After One Season Away

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Apr 27, 2026 7:11 AM ET

Chennedy Carter was one of the WNBA's best scoring guards during the 2024 season. She averaged 17.5 points on 48.7% shooting with the Chicago Sky that year, which put her in the conversation as one of the league's Most Improved Player candidates.

Despite her remarkable numbers, however, the Sky didn't offer her a contract for the 2025 season. A report by Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times claimed that Chicago decided not to keep Carter due to concerns about her locker room behavior and how her presence could impact their ability to attract free agents.

That said, Carter went unsigned and failed to find a new team in the WNBA. She proceeded to play overseas, suiting up for the Mexican team Adelitas de Chihuahua and the Chinese squad Wuhan Shengfan.

Former Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter reacts next to forward Angel Reese Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

This 2026 offseason, however, Carter got another chance in the WNBA after the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces, signed her to a training camp contract.

On Sunday, Carter made her debut for the Aces in a preseason game against the Japanese women's national team.

Carter was exceptional in the contest, as she led the team in scoring in the absence of MVP A'ja Wilson. The 27-year-old guard put up 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting, along with five rebounds, two assists and one block.

Even the WNBA couldn't help but react to her first game in the league in over a year.

"Bucket. Getter," the WNBA wrote, along with a video of Carter's highlights from the Aces' 94-78 victory. "Chennedy Carter led the @lvaces in scoring in her Aces debut, setting the tone in their preseason dub!"

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It remains to be seen if the Aces will offer Carter a standard WNBA contract for the 2026 campaign, but she definitely put herself in a good position to earn one.

After all, Carter showed the Aces that she can help address one of the team's most pressing needs: a player who can attack the basket.

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

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