The Chicago Sky boss is very happy. Even though his team lost their first preseason game 81-92 to the Minnesota Lynx, Dwyane Wade is chuffed about the newest stars on the squad. Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso showcased unbelievable chemistry for two former rivals in their debut game. The crowd and the official Chicago Sky handle started chants of S-E-C for the ladies who hold South Eastern Conference titles. And Wade rightfully stated this is only the start of the Reese-Cardoso hype train.
“Just the beginning!” D-Wade casually stated on X with a smug sunglasses emoji. Doesn’t look like this defeat is going to bring him down when he’s got the SEC Player of the Year (2024) and SEC Sixth Woman and Defensive Player of the Year (2024) on his team.
The moment that confirmed the new WNBA rookies are a superteam to watch out for was when Reese seamlessly connected with Cardoso in the paint during the second quarter. Cardoso responded to that pass with an effortless layup.
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Just the beginning! 😎 https://t.co/sDebmb22wS
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 4, 2024
The 2023 champ from LSU played 24 minutes and scored 13 points, and 9 rebounds, along with two steals and a block. Cardoso, fresh off the 2024 NCAA championship, suffered a fall mid-game and had to leave due to an injured shoulder. In the minutes she got on the court, she managed that transition with Reese and also scored 6 points on 3-of-5 shooting, along with 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 13 minutes. Without Cardoso, the experienced veterans of Lynx overpowered Sky for the rest of the game. But the rookies left an impact anyway.
This showing proves everyone who thought that the former rivals couldn’t pull it off was wrong about the rookies. D-Wade already knew this was a partnership that would work out.
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Dwyane Wade is confident in rookie team’s chemistry
With the 2023 and 2024 NCAA champs in the WNBA draft, things were looking promising. The Chicago Sky selected Cardoso third overall and Reese seventh overall. It prompted the 3x champion to confidently state, “The foundation is set.”
The duo were well known for a scuffle they got into during the SEC Tournament championship. That game saw multiple ejections too. But the SEC is in the rearview mirror. Reese and Cardoso have displayed a commitment to be a strong team together.
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D-Wade became a minority owner in the WNBA team of his hometown, Chicago, by acquiring a 10% stake at an $85 million valuation in 2023. He ushered in a “new era in Sky town,” with the arrival of the standout rookies. Looks like he’s seeing his dreams of being a championship-winning team owner is going to manifest with two players used to winning in Chi-town.