Chennedy Carter, for a long time, has overcome one adversity after another on the basketball court. Her professional basketball journey with the Chicago Sky is, apparently, a reflection of the same turbulent career trajectory taken by NBA star Russell Westbrook. And it makes for an irresistible narrative for basketball fans and critics alike!

Carter began her Chicago Sky stint with flashes of brilliance and equal measures of controversy. During the 2024 WNBA season, she averaged 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, proving to be a potent offensive weapon. Nevertheless, her future with the Sky remains unclear. A restricted free agent, the team has until mid-January to extend a qualifying offer.

However, the similarities with Westbrook only became apparent after Carter responded to the Nuggets player’s comments on X. “ngl i felt this !!!! lol,“ Carter shared, which echoes Westbrook’s saying about being used out of position. Both players have struggled to find systems to play to their specific skill set. But their potential is undeniable.

With or without any of these obstacles!

This shared experience of misalignment between individual talent and team systems makes highly skilled players who don’t fit the mold so challenging. Taking it to the next level is the fact that the Chicago Sky transitioned under new head coach Tyler Marsh. Marsh’s insistence on a new direction for the team has raised questions about Carter’s role in the franchise going forward. Because the team’s core will include bright newcomers like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, Carter’s future with the franchise looks increasingly uncertain.

Chennedy’s participation in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) has only made her WNBA future even more uncertain. In China playing for Wuhan Shengfan, she is dominating the league, scoring an average of 31.5 points per game. This has set the record for scoring the highest point in any single game!

Her well-rounded play, producing 8.1 boards, 5.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, has established her as one of the globetrotters. But it has not been smooth sailing for her in China, either. A sternum injury suffered during a game has sidelined her. Needless to say, it has now cast doubt on her fitness for the 2025 WNBA season.

As Chennedy Carter enters restricted free agency and prepares to make a decision on her future, this newest injury only throws another wrinkle in the mix.

Chennedy Carter’s future in the WNBA

While Carter is recovering, her future remains in balance as Chicago Sky continues to ponder. The team faces a critical decision: keep her as a centerpiece of their offense or let her look for other franchises. Carter has scoring ability and is a leader, but her injury history and questions about her defensive fit are problems.

Add her past issues with conduct and Carter’s future in WNBA looks challenging. Before making her way to Chicago, Chennedy had a rough time with the Atlanta Dream. They suspended her for “conduct detrimental to the team,” and she never played for them afterward.

In 2022, she was traded to the LA Sparks, but unfortunately, the same behavior issues that had caused trouble in Atlanta followed her to LA. She appeared in 24 games, mostly coming off the bench, but the Sparks ended up releasing her in 2023. According to the LA Times, her dismissal was linked to “poor conduct.”

Adaptation to being part of a team, just as Russell Westbrook has done in the past couple of seasons, is likely to be key to Carter’s continuing success. Carter’s decisions and the Sky’s strategies will determine the future of the team and Carter’s career throughout the WNBA offseason.

It was in the words of Carter herself, “I felt this!” and it isn’t just relatable to Westbrook’s experience. It’s relatable to fans who understand the nuances of basketball at the very top level professionally. It’s a testimony to talent, resilience, and doing the right things that give players the chance to do what they do best.

The basketball world is now watching and wondering where will Carter’s path lead next.