Basketball is all about timing— and no-one knows this better than former Chicago sky guard Chennedy Carter. After being excluded from the Chicago Sky’s qualifying offers, she didn’t hesitate to make her own moves on the global stage. The result? A recent MVP honor in the WCBA basketball league that serves as both a reminder of her talent and a statement to the WNBA. But what does it all mean for Carter and her relationship with the Sky? Let’s take a closer look at this unexpected turn of events.

Just as basketball has its ups and downs, Carter’s career has mirrored the game’s unpredictable rhythm. While the Sky’s exclusion of Carter might have made waves, it didn’t derail her. The Maryland native found herself making headlines for all the right reasons—this time, overseas. A story on Carter’s Instagram, shared by Ally Wei from Taiwan, captured her receiving the MVP award. The caption was simple yet powerful: “Appreciate you coach” and “Thank You so much fire emoji fire emoji fire emoji MVP.”

Carter, the Sky’s 2020 first-round pick, was their leading scorer last season, averaging an impressive 17.5 points per game on 48.7% shooting. Despite her standout performance, her name was conspicuously absent from the team’s list of qualifying offers.

This oversight caught many by surprise, especially after such a strong season. According to the Chicago Sky Times, Carter was left off the list, while teammates like Dana Evans, Michaela Onyenwere, and Nikolina Milić received qualifying offers. This move sparked heated debates, particularly around the Sky’s team culture and decision-making.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Carter shared in response to the news. Her words echoed the sentiment of someone who had accepted the turn of events but wasn’t going to let it define her. She embraced the notion that everything—and everyone—has a season, a time when they come into your life, help you grow, and then make way for new things.

Carter’s Global success raises questions for Chicago Sky’s future decisions

Carter’s performance abroad wasn’t just a win for her career; it was a reminder of her undeniable skill. With an average of 14.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in her career, Carter showed she can shine beyond the WNBA courts. As her talents continue to unfold globally, it’s clear that her journey is far from over.

While Carter is thriving in Taiwan, the question looms—did the Sky make a mistake by letting her test the market? As the Chicago Sun-Times mentioned, there were whispers about locker room problems last season, with some players feeling that the culture catered to the needs of a few.

When new head coach Tyler Marsh spoke about the team, he mentioned Reese and Kamilla Cardoso as “cornerstones” but did not mention Carter, signaling a shift in the franchise’s priorities.

Still, Carter’s talent cannot be denied. Angel Reese, a player who has consistently supported Carter, called her “one of the best guards in this league,” showing that despite all the controversy, Carter remains highly respected. Whether or not the Sky will regret their decision is yet to be seen, but it’s clear that Carter’s fire is burning brighter than ever.

As the clock ticks toward January 20, when General Manager Jeff Pagliocca must offer Carter a deal, the future of this young star remains uncertain. But if her recent MVP award is any indication, Chennedy Carter is ready to take whatever comes next—whether in the WNBA or beyond.

For now, the Chicago Sky might be wondering if letting Carter go was the right call. Time will tell.