Kamilla Cardoso Dominates in Career Night, Leads Chicago Sky to First Win
South Carolina alum and WNBA rising star Kamilla Cardoso had a breakout performance on Thursday night, setting a new career-high in scoring as she powered the Chicago Sky to their first win of the season against the Dallas Wings.
Now in her second year in the league, Cardoso delivered an efficient and commanding performance, shooting 9-of-13 from the field and tallying 23 points, marking just the second time in her pro career she’s crossed the 20-point mark. She also grabbed eight rebounds, making her the team’s second-leading rebounder, and added an assist and a steal, while shooting 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Her overall impact was clear—no other Chicago starter posted a better plus-minus than her +6.
Cardoso’s dominance was evident from the jump. She won the opening tip, sprinted straight to the rim, and scored just four seconds into the game. From there, she kept the momentum going, scoring the Sky’s first 10 points. Chicago made it clear: the game plan was to feed their star post player early and often. Teammates Courtney Vandersloot and Angel Reese each assisted on three of Cardoso’s buckets, underlining the team’s commitment to playing through her.
After the game, veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot had high praise for the young center:
“[Cardoso] needs to touch the ball a lot. I think she understands the game really well, so we need to play through her more often.”
The performance is a strong signal that Cardoso is poised for a leap in her sophomore WNBA season.
A Legacy Built at South Carolina
Cardoso’s rise has deep roots in her college days under Dawn Staley at South Carolina. After transferring from Syracuse, she spent two years behind Aliyah Boston, learning and growing into one of the most dominant post presences in the country. Even in a reserve role, she collected accolades like SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and All-SEC honors.
In her senior season, Cardoso stepped into the spotlight. She led the Gamecocks to a perfect 38-0 season, culminating in a national championship. She averaged 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, earning All-American honors and recognition as a Defensive Player of the Year at both the SEC and national levels. Her clutch play earned her Most Outstanding Player awards for both the Albany Regional and the Final Four in Cleveland.
Now, with a career night under her belt and a growing role in Chicago, Kamilla Cardoso is proving she’s just getting started.
