Sydney Taylor set a Chicago Sky rookie scoring record in Wednesday's loss to New York, but the franchise's history of losing stars looms over her future.
Chicago Sky rookie guard Sydney Taylor delivered a career-high performance despite the team's loss to the New York Liberty on July 22, giving Chicago another reason to believe it may have found a future WNBA star.
However, the franchise's history with developing and retaining young talent raises questions about whether Taylor could become the next cornerstone of a team still searching for sustained success.
The Sky guard finished Wednesday's game with 31 points, giving her the most 30-point games by a rookie in Sky history. Despite a historic performance from her, Chicago lost 95-94 to New York.
Taylor scored her first 30-point game on June 11 in an 114-106 overtime loss to the Indiana Fever. While she continues to develop and has put together a strong rookie season thus far, Chicago's history of struggling to retain talent raises questions about whether the franchise can keep its latest rising star long-term.
Past Chicago Stars
While Taylor is only a rookie, she is a part of an organization that won its first championship in 2021. However, the franchise is no stranger when it comes to landing talent but failing to build long term.
Former center Sylvia Fowles was drafted to the Sky in 2008 with the No.2 overall pick. In seven seasons with Chicago, she averaged over ten points each season and 7.5+ rebounds per season.
By 2013, she became a frontcourt anchor of the franchise and a piece to build around; however, she requested a trade due to organizational concerns. But the former Sky Center went on to win a WNBA championship in 2015 with the Minnesota Lynx, where she won Finals MVP.
Another player who left due to frustration with the organization is Elena Delle Donne. She was drafted in 2013 by the Chicago Sky with the second pick in the 2013 draft, which was Fowles' second-to-last season before being traded.
Delle Donne reached a career-high 23.4 points per game in Chicago and became another star for the franchise. She helped the franchise reach the postseason for the first time in history in 2013. The team made it to the finals the year after.
Needless to say, Delle Donne became frustrated with the franchise's leadership and lack of financial investment, and she wanted to be closer to her family. She won her first championship with the Washington Mystics in 2019.
Reshaping the Future
Chicago built their roster around Fowles, Delle Donne, and Courtney Vandersloot, who was drafted by the franchise in 2011. Then the organization signed Allie Quigley. Both Vandersloot and Quigley left in 2023 in free agency after being a part of the championship team.
After winning a championship in 2021, the franchise traded Kahleah Copper, who was a part of the deal that sent Delle Donne to Washington. Copper was pivotal during the finals, averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game across 10 games, while winning the WNBA Finals MVP award.
Shortly after, Candace Parker, who was a part of the championship roster, left the team in free agency. Chicago drafted Angel Reese in 2023, but traded her in 2026 after her comment about the organization needing to get better players during the 2025 season.
The Sky's first season was in 2006, and the organization made its first postseason appearance in 2013 due to the front office's ability to build a roster. However, retention has been an issue that has plagued the franchise.
Taylor, who is having an historic season, could be the next piece for the franchise, but only time will tell. She is averaging 14.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field.
