Well done, Jeff Pagliocca? Let's not get too hasty. But to Pagliocca's credit, selecting Ajsa Sivka in the 2025 WNBA Draft could pay dividends sooner rather than later. However, his earlier decision to trade another first-round pick to the Washington Mystics has already put them out of contention for a future star in 2027. Sivka's hot start in Kentucky will help take the heat off the Chicago Sky's general manager if she decides to join the league next season.
Because Sivka hasn't yet signed a professional contract with the Sky, she is eligible to feature in the NCAA. Fortunately for Kentucky, the 20-year-old announced she would link up with their programme for the 2026-27 season. In theory, this was a perfect decision for Sivka. Kentucky is currently ranked 12th in the AP Polls, so they are a competitive team, but they are not at the level of UConn or South Carolina, where her shine would be dimmed by other immense talents.
Her decision is already reaping rewards. Sivka is averaging 18.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, shooting 59.4% from the floor and a remarkable 64.7 from deep.
While Sivka's performances have been consistently brilliant, it was the versatile guard's showing in Kentucky's 93-78 win over NC State that caught the public's eye. Sivka scored 32 points, draining 8 of 12 shots from deep. Chicago might finally have their efficient 3-point shooter.
Sivka can take the pressure off Pagliocca's poor decision
It takes a brave general manager to give up a first-round pick when future All-WNBA talents such as JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and Madison Booker are expected to be available for selection. But at this point, do any of Pagliocca's decisions surprise us? In fact, gifting the Mystics a first-round pick has become somewhat of a tradition for him.
There was no guarantee Chicago would land a top-3 pick in the draft, but taking your name out of contention before the Lottery Draft even took place is ludicrous. However, Pagliocca now has a get-out-of-jail-free card, but it comes with a catch.
The Sky has retained the rights to Sivka, meaning that if she decides to leave college after one year, the franchise will have first refusal over her future. But will the Slovenian international want to play for an organisation that has recently limited the opportunities of its younger players? Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld, and even Angel Reese already have different homes since being drafted by Chicago.
If the Sky can convince Sivka to join the roster next season, her 3-point prowess will add an entirely new dynamic to their offense. Chicago ranked 14th overall in 3-point shooting percentage in 2026, hitting just 31.5 percent of their shots from that range. As WNBA teams continue to take and make more three-pointers than ever, the Sky simply cannot afford to fall behind the curve.
It's a pretty small sample size, but Sivka is already making waves at Kentucky. Pagliocca's obsession with gifting draft picks to Washington means he doesn't just need the Slovenian guard's form to continue; he needs her to put pen to paper on a professional contract for the 2027 season.
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