QUINIX Sport News: Chicago Sky pick Ajša Sivka and Hailey Van Lith in the 1st round of the WNBA draft

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Pocket
WhatsApp

The Chicago Sky added depth to their roster Monday night by selecting Ajša Sivka and Hailey Van Lith in the first round of the WNBA draft.

After taking Sivka, a 6-foot-4 forward from Slovenia, at No. 10, the Sky chose Van Lith, a 5-9 point guard from TCU, with the No. 11 pick they acquired Sunday from the Minnesota Lynx.

Van Lith rose on draft boards after a redemptive fifth college season at TCU, leading the Horned Frogs to the Elite Eight while averaging 17.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.

After making a strong impression in three seasons at Louisville, Van Lith struggled to adjust to a new role and system in 2023-24 at LSU, shooting 37.8% from the field and seeing her scoring average drop from 19.7 in her last year at Louisville to 11.6.

Now she will reunite with former LSU teammate Angel Reese in Chicago and have an opportunity to learn under veteran guards Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins while coming off the bench as a rotation player.

The Sky also have two second-round picks at Nos. 16 and 22. They have only two available roster spots entering the preseason, so the four new players could be battling throughout training camp for a WNBA contract.

The Dallas Wings drafted Connecticut star Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick, the Seattle Storm selected 6-6 French teenager Dominique Malonga at No. 2 and the Washington Mystics picked Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron with the third selection they acquired from the Sky in February.

LSU forward Aneesah Morrow, the Chicago native and Simeon alumna who played her first two seasons at DePaul, went No. 7 to the Connecticut Sun.

Chicago Sky season ticket holders Tricia Sheridan, left, and Lisa Martin look on as the team's WNBA draft watch party gets started at the Revolution Brewing taproom on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Sky season ticket holders Tricia Sheridan, left, and Lisa Martin look on as the team’s WNBA draft watch party gets started at the Revolution Brewing taproom on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

UPDATED: April 14, 2025 at 8:05 PM CDT

The Chicago Sky added depth to their roster Monday night by selecting Ajša Sivka and Hailey Van Lith in the first round of the WNBA draft.

After taking Sivka, a 6-foot-4 forward from Slovenia, at No. 10, the Sky chose Van Lith, a 5-9 point guard from TCU, with the No. 11 pick they acquired Sunday from the Minnesota Lynx.

Van Lith rose on draft boards after a redemptive fifth college season at TCU, leading the Horned Frogs to the Elite Eight while averaging 17.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.

After making a strong impression in three seasons at Louisville, Van Lith struggled to adjust to a new role and system in 2023-24 at LSU, shooting 37.8% from the field and seeing her scoring average drop from 19.7 in her last year at Louisville to 11.6.

Now she will reunite with former LSU teammate Angel Reese in Chicago and have an opportunity to learn under veteran guards Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins while coming off the bench as a rotation player.

The Sky also have two second-round picks at Nos. 16 and 22. They have only two available roster spots entering the preseason, so the four new players could be battling throughout training camp for a WNBA contract.

The Dallas Wings drafted Connecticut star Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick, the Seattle Storm selected 6-6 French teenager Dominique Malonga at No. 2 and the Washington Mystics picked Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron with the third selection they acquired from the Sky in February.

LSU forward Aneesah Morrow, the Chicago native and Simeon alumna who played her first two seasons at DePaul, went No. 7 to the Connecticut Sun.

Originally Published: April 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM CDT

More in Chicago Sky

 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Pocket
WhatsApp

Never miss any important news. Subscribe to our newsletter.