Kamilla Cardoso is no stranger to playing big roles on high-level teams. Cardoso was instrumental in helping the South Carolina women’s basketball team go undefeated and win a national championship during the 2023-24 season. Cardoso now finds herself deep against elite WNBA competition as a Chicago Sky rookie. Yet, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon noted Cardoso’s impact with a crucial description.
When Weatherspoon was asked what she had seen from Cardoso after the first half of the WNBA season, the head coach gave this one-word response:
“Presence,” Weatherspoon said after the Sky’s 93-85 July 16 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
“Her presence means so much. Kamilla does a heck of a job for us rebounding the ball and getting our transition started. She does a really good job of defending. It doesn’t matter who she’s defending. She’s very sure of herself. And when the ball doesn’t fall, you never see Kamilla in any way disappointed in anything. She continues to play and plays very hard. She is now getting more reps underneath her, and it’s only going to pay off for all of us and especially her,” Weatherspoon added.
Through the first 18 games of the season, Cardoso averages 8.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. As Teresa Weatherspoon mentioned, the rookie center is growing more comfortable with each rep she gains. At 6-foot-7, Cardoso is someone guards do not often want to drive into. She has a knack for using her length to make crucial blocks, and her timing will only improve.
