Every season in the WNBA, there always seems to be a player who shocks the world with a breakout game and even a breakout season. This year, that player is an undrafted rookie: Sydney Taylor.
Not only has Sydney Taylor taken the league by storm by breaking rookie records and leading the Chicago Sky in the midst of an injury-filled season, but she has also made a name for herself in the W, proving that she can compete and dominate with some of the best in the league despite going undrafted.
Taylor’s Journey to the W
Taylor’s story about her road to achieving such a crucial role for the Sky is one of the most unique and impressive progressions that the league has seen, and it is only her rookie season. From 2019-23, Taylor spent four seasons competing for UMass, but it is not even that simple. In her freshman season, Taylor would play an average of 6.1 minutes per game, averaging just 1.9 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. However, Taylor would make a momentous leap from her freshman season to her sophomore campaign as her stats multiplied, showing her incredible growth. Such progression is evident in her stats, averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the 2020-21 season over 34.5 minutes of play per outing. This notable leap in Taylor’s ability to contribute for the UMass Minutemen on both ends of the court was evident as she continued to average approximately 16 points and at least four rebounds per game in her final two seasons.
Because of the NCAA’s COVID-19 eligibility waiver, Taylor was granted one final year of college eligibility, where she would take her talents to Louisville after entering the transfer portal. Although her stats were not as padded and full as they were at UMass, Taylor remained a key contributor for the Cardinals as she put up 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest, starting nearly every matchup for the Cards. Following her final season of college basketball, Taylor went undrafted. That said, her hard work did not stop there, as she began her professional career playing overseas. In the 2024-25 EuroBasket season, Taylor competed for Lithuania. Although her stats during her time overseas are not publicly available, Taylor’s dedication to her craft was once again put on full display when she made the move to suit up for Poland in the 2025-26 EuroBasket season. It was in that season that Taylor would put the world on notice, recording 22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in just under 29 minutes. Not only was Taylor able to score on a high level, but also efficiently, as she shot 56.7 percent from the field, 40.8 percent from three, and 79.4 percent from the free-throw line.
This tremendous development and progress from Taylor in just one season was crucial to the next chapter of her life as she continued to work towards making it into the WNBA.
One Opportunity, One Turning Point
On April 13, 2026, the entire trajectory of Taylor’s career would change with one offer. It was on this day that the Sky offered Taylor a training camp contract, an opportunity to show not just her skill, but also her potential in hopes that she could make the final roster. In the Sky’s second preseason game, Taylor showed up and showed out, recording 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. It was through this standout performance, as well as her incredible work ethic, that Chicago would sign Taylor to the official roster, a pivotal moment in her career.
Since then, Taylor’s mindset has not changed in that she still strives to put forth her best effort. And because of that, she was able to put herself in the starting lineup just over a month into the regular season.
Stepping Up in the Sky’s Time of Need
Heading into the 2026 WNBA season, it was without a doubt that Chicago was in the midst of serious adversity, with injuries as well as a completely new roster as the franchise continues to rebuild.
The Sky began the season on a difficult note with Rickea Jackson almost immediately ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, DiJonai Carrington dealing with a lingering ankle injury that required surgery, as well as a few other day-to-day and week-to-week absences from Azurá Stevens and Skylar Diggins. Despite the discouragement that comes with these injuries, this challenging time for Chicago was also a time in which a star was born — or rather introduced.
In just the fifth game of the season, Taylor put up a monstrous 27-point clinic against the Toronto Tempo on June 27. Although this standout performance from Taylor was not enough to get the Sky the win, it was certainly a spark of excitement for their future. Taylor has already recorded at least twenty points in six more games this season, and in two of those games, Taylor recorded her first two thirty-point outings in the W, highlighted by a career-high of 31 points against the New York Liberty on July 22. Not only did she beat her previous career-high of 30 points, but she also did so shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Even though Chicago’s record does not completely display Taylor’s individual success, her growth, production, and impact on the team go far beyond the box score and have proven her value as an emerging star in the WNBA.
Taylor’s Latest Statement
Coming off a strong team win against the Connecticut Sun just two days before their matchup with the defending champions Las Vegas Aces, the Sky were looking to keep the momentum going. Regardless of the fact that the odds were stacked against the Sky as major underdogs in this contest with the Aces, they battled until the final buzzer, with Taylor delivering a defining moment.
Throughout this matchup with Las Vegas, Taylor was firing on all cylinders with no signs of stopping. Showing no fear or hesitation, she played freely despite being put against one of the best trios in the league in the Aces’ A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray. From a glance at the box score, many would consider Taylor’s 29-point game to have come easy, though it was quite the opposite. Late in the first quarter, Taylor would exit the game after taking awkward contact from Gray in the paint. However, this didn’t stop her as she would re-enter the matchup to start the second quarter, beginning her takeover against Wilson and the Aces. Taylor was consistent in the third and fourth quarters, but nothing could have prepared Las Vegas for what was to come in the fourth and final quarter. In just the fourth quarter alone, Taylor would not only put up 13 points, but also hit a game-winning three-pointer to give the Sky the 84-83 victory.
Let’s set the stage: the Aces are up two points, and the score is 83-81. The Sky have the ball on the sideline with just 3.2 seconds on the game clock to inbound the ball and put up a shot. With Taylor cutting from the paint to the top of the key, Natasha Cloud inbounds the ball into Taylor’s hands beautifully for a three while heavily guarded by the Aces’ Jackie Young, and BANG! Taylor hits the dagger for the Sky to upset the Aces.
You could not have asked for a better finish, nor a better performance from the undrafted rookie. In the post-game press conference, when asked about her clutch game-winning shot, Taylor said, “I just let it fly. I don’t know how close I was, or how far I was, I just shot it.”
How Does Taylor Stack Up Against Other Rookies?
It is without a doubt that Taylor is on pace to be on the 2026 WNBA All-Rookie Team, but where did this campaign begin? Some may argue that this possibility for Taylor began after her 27-point game in just the fifth game of the season, and others after her first thirty-bomb. While those are two of Taylor’s most notable accomplishments this season, one may argue that the history she has made thus far is worthy of an All-Rookie honor in and of itself.
On July 15, Chicago faced the Seattle Storm in what would be a confidence-lifting victory. In this matchup, Taylor would contribute 17 points, breaking the record for the highest points-per-game average by an undrafted rookie in WNBA history (13.0 PPG). Not only was this a pivotal turning point in Taylor’s career, as she has continued to grow and even raise this record to what is now 14.7 PPG, but she has also made a serious case for herself to land in the 2026 WNBA All-Rookie Team. It is through this efficient performance as well as her other abilities to land elite passes to her teammates and take over the game when the Sky need it most, that make Taylor even more worthy of receiving such an honor. Although she may not have as eye-catching stats as fellow rookies like Minnesota’s Olivia Miles or Dallas’ Azzi Fudd, Taylor has made a seamless transition into the role the Sky need as they continue to struggle with several injuries.
Where Does Taylor Fit in the All-Rookie Team Race?
When diving into postseason awards, it is hard to avoid taking a look at who will likely continue to succeed and make the All-Rookie Team. While there are essentially some locks for this honor, a spot or two on this team still have great opportunity for rookies to make their way in. With the way Miles has played this season, it is safe to say that she will make the 2026 WNBA All-Rookie Team and perhaps even an All-WNBA Team. Averaging 19.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, there is no leaving Miles off this list as she can do it all. Despite being without their star forward Napheesa Collier for the first half of the season, Miles has flourished and arguably carried the Minnesota Lynx to their success thus far this season.
Following Miles on this list, it is also likely that we will see Fudd make the All-Rookie Team this year. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Fudd has settled in nicely with the Dallas Wings as she puts up an average of 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per outing. Not to mention, Fudd is one of the W’s most elite defenders as she leads all rookies in total steals and steals per game while ranking second in both total blocks and blocks per game as a 5-foot-11 guard.
Another rookie making a significant impact on a rebuilding franchise is none other than Flau’jae Johnson. A well-rounded guard with a deep bag, Johnson’s wide skill set is not talked about enough as she puts up 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per contest for the Storm. Often seen dishing beautiful dimes to 6-foot-6 teammate Dominique Malonga, or crossing defenders to create her own shots, Johnson has a unique package that cannot be overlooked any longer.
With the current predictions for the All-Rookie Team being opinionated and subjective, the final two slots are less of locks than the previous players described. However, through her numerous breakout games where she has led the Sky in scoring, as well as the way she has adapted to her new role as an undrafted rookie, Taylor time and time again proves that she is deserving of being among the best rookies on this list.
