The Chicago Sky have faced tough challenges at the start of the 2024 WNBA season. Fourth-year guard Chennedy Carter has had no shortage of challenges either. Nevertheless, Carter remains a stout offensive force for Chicago, so much so that head coach Teresa Weatherspoon compared her to greats including Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving.
Weatherspoon has continually highlighted Chennedy Carter's impact on the Sky. When reporters asked her who Carter reminds her of, she gave an eye-opening response.
“She reminds me of Deanna Nolan and Michelle Edwards. On the men's side, she reminds of me of Kyrie Irving,” Weatherspoon said after June 4th's game against the New York Liberty.
Deanna Nolan spent nine years with the Detroit Shock, winning three WNBA championships and amassing four All-Star honors. Meanwhile, Michelle Edwards played five WNBA seasons but is a Women's Basketball Hall of Famer most notably for her collegiate tenure with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
On the other hand, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving won his first NBA Finals with LeBron James in 2016. He has another opportunity for a title in 2024 against the Boston Celtics. Teresa Weatherspoon's comparison between Irving and Carter is fitting when considering the Sky guard's skillset.
Like Irving, Carter has a seamless shot-creating ability. She has a tight handle and makes pull-up jumpers and slashes to the rim look effortless. In addition, her defensive activity often results in easy transition buckets for Chicago.
Carter had a breakout game against the Washington Mystics, scoring a team-high 25 points. Through 10 regular season games, Carter averages 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 19.8 minutes. The shifty guard is an early candidate for WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and she wants to continue her tremendous impact to help the Sky ascend.
Chennedy Carter: the Sky's ultimate difference maker
The Sky are not quite in the same position as Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks, but with time, they have a chance to develop into contenders. Chicago has a multitude of contributors, but their slow starts have been a thorn in their side. The Sky have made a habit of going down by double-digits in the first half of games. Nevertheless, Teresa Weatherspoon is adamant the team will continue to learn and get better.
Chennedy Carters play a big role in keeping Chicago's offense afloat during droughts. She is a true sparkplug off the bench, and Teresa Weatherspoon doubled down on her outstanding abilities early on in the season.
“She's probably the most talented player in this league. What she brings off the bench for us is incredible. [A high level of] talent, athleticism, speed, quickness, scoring, but she also will defend for us. But Chennedy is also a willing passer … She brings a lot to this team, and that's the energy we need coming off the bench,” Weatherspoon claimed before the Sky's May 31st matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Chicago will continue to need Carter's services amid their Eastern Conference climb. The Sky dropped their June 8th home matchup to the Atlanta Dream, but they have a chance for redemption against the Connecticut Sun on June 12th.
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