Chennedy Carter is officially off the Chicago Sky roster. Monday marked the deadline for WNBA teams to extend qualifying offers to their free agents, and the Sky chose not to give one to Carter.
It’s kind of a big deal, considering Carter was the team’s primary source of offense.
But it looks like Sky is shifting its focus to building around Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. However, Carter’s story is far from over. In fact, she’s out there achieving her own greatness.
Right now, Chennedy is over in China, playing for the Shanghai Swordfish.
And she’s been putting up big numbers on the court there, continuing her offensive tear from last season. The thing is, she’s not just having a good run—she’s turning heads.
Recently, she posted a screenshot from one of her fan accounts’ Instagram threads, sharing the news that she was selected as a backup player for the WNBA All-Star game.
What’s even cooler is that she had the highest fan vote of any foreign player.
That’s some serious recognition, and it’s proof that Carter’s not missing a beat, even halfway across the world.
Plus, her teammate, Ding Yike, will be participating in the 3-point contest during All-Star weekend. Will she take her revenge? Time will tell.
For now, while Carter’s killing it overseas and will bring some heat during All-Star game, back home in the WNBA, she’s an unrestricted free agent.
The Sky may have let her go, but it’s still a bit of a tough pill to swallow. Chicago’s decision to part ways with her was a bold one, especially since she was averaging 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists last season.
But the veteran baller might not be the perfect fit for the team’s new system under new coach Tyler Marsh, who replaced Teresa Weatherspoon.
The team needs shooters, and Carter—while an explosive scorer—shot just 29% from beyond the arc last season. That’s not exactly what they need around their bigs, especially when they’ve got two non-shooting post players in Reese and Cardoso.
The Sky’s roster now includes Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse, and Rebecca Allen—three seasoned guards with a wealth of experience.
With the new addition, the Sky roster has 9 players: Vandersloot, Nurse, Allen, Onyenwere, Reese, Cardoso, Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson and Elizabeth Williams.
The Sky have made some key additions this offseason to complement their towering stars, and it looks like they’re setting themselves up for a dynamic 2025 season.
These players aren’t just any additions; they’re veteran leaders who will play a vital role in the development of Reese and Cardoso.
Vandersloot, in particular, is a huge asset. As the Sky’s all-time assist leader with over 2,300 career assists, she’s a floor general who knows exactly how to feed the post. “Having two post players like that – young stars – is a point guard’s dream,” Vandersloot said in an ESPN interview.
She’s not wrong. Pairing her playmaking ability with young stars’ skills inside could unlock the next level for the Sky’s offense.
Kia Nurse and Rebecca Allen will also be instrumental in this new system. Nurse, with her sharp shooting and defensive abilities, will bring a balance to the court.
Allen’s versatility makes her a great asset, too. She can play multiple positions and offers the physicality.
