Chicago Sky loses another top 2025 draft pick

Birds of a feather…

Chicago Sky draft pick commits to Kentucky

The Sky lost yet another 2025 draft pick, after Ajša Sivka — selected 10th overall by Chicago last year — committed to Kentucky for the 2026/27 season.

• The 20-year-old Slovenia international has played professionally in Europe since 2022, but never renounced her college eligibility prior to being drafted — reserving her right to play in the NCAA.

• “She wanted to experience college, have the college experience from a basketball standpoint, and a lifestyle standpoint,” Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said Wednesday. (See full report)

How it works: Sivka’s path underlines the risk WNBA teams take with ”draft-and-stash” overseas talent, as picks can weigh their options before joining the league.

• Sivka sat out the 2025 season, opting to finish high school back home while improving her game — all with Chicago’s blessing.

• The Sky now retains Sivka’s pro rights, banking on her returning to the team as a fully developed prospect after her time in Lexington.

Bright future: “I am delighted to welcome Ajša to our program,” Wildcats head coach Kenny Brooks said. “Ajša is a tremendous shooter, scorer, and playmaker from the wing position and she will add experience to our team.” (See full statement)

Italian Open tests clay-court stars

Roland Garros is fast approaching, as this week’s Italian Open provides one last big clay-court tune-up before the WTA Tour’s second Grand Slam in Paris.

• Italy native and world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini returns to Rome as defending champion, likely putting her top ranking at risk should she not repeat.

• “To make deep runs you have to play your best tennis. If your level is there more or less every week, the results will come,” she said.

Taking stock: Paolini faces an eager field, as No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Elena Rybakina, and No. 4 Coco Gauff look to bounce back after falling short in Spain.

• Sabalenka suffered a major quarterfinal upset at last week’s Madrid Open — falling to No. 25 Hailey Baptiste for just her second loss of the season — while Rybakina and Gauff exited in the Round of 16.

• “I feel like you really have to be versatile to win on this surface,” Gauff said ahead of her Rome return. “I play well on it, but I feel like I play well on it for these last two tournaments of the swing. So, it’s kind of like the ninth inning stretch right now.” (See full draw)

Tune in: The Italian Open runs through May 16th, live on the Tennis Channel.

PWHL brings 2026 Draft to Detroit

Detroit is all in on women’s hockey, as the PWHL announced plans to stage next month’s entry draft and awards ceremony in an incoming expansion city for the first time.

• The news accompanies the third-year league’s decision to launch its ninth team in the Motor City, set to hit the ice later this year.

• “We’re excited that we’ll give this community an early chance to get involved and to watch your team be built,” PWHL EVP of business operations Amy Scheer said. (See full report)

How it works: 2025/26 addition Vancouver secured this year’s top pick, with Wisconsin and Team USA star Caroline Harvey projected to go No. 1.

• Seattle, New York, and Toronto were also awarded lottery picks after missing the PWHL playoffs — though introducing more expansion teams could disrupt the draft order via the league’s Gold Plan system. (See full rules)

Stay tuned: The 2026 PWHL Draft kicks off June 17th at Detroit’s Fox Theater.

Man City wins 1st WSL title in 10 years

Manchester City sealed the deal this week, winning the WSL — and snapping Chelsea’s six-season title streak — without even kicking a ball.

• City exited last weekend with a six-point lead over No. 2 Chelsea, before No. 3 Arsenal cemented the league-leader’s victory by drawing Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 yesterday despite having two games in hand.

• It marks the club’s first WSL championship since 2016, spotlighting first-year manager Andree Jeglertz while forwards Kahdija Shaw, Vivianne Miedema, and Karolin all finished within the season’s Top 10 goal-scorers. (See full standings)

Up next: There’s still football to be played, with the race to book a spot in next year’s Champions League likely coming down to the WSL’s final day on May 16th.

Oklahoma City approves $25.4M softball facility

OKC is doubling down on softball, as the city approved plans for a $24.5 million softball facility next to Devon Park — home to the NCAA’s Women’s College World Series, AUSL’s Oklahoma City Spark, and USA Softball’s Olympic trials.

• Set to debut in late 2027, the two-story indoor venue features practice fields, locker rooms, and a sports medicine center complete with a weight room and recovery areas.

• The site also includes a private entrance for athletes, as well as a climate-controlled walkway connecting the new complex to the stadium. (See full plans)

Big picture: The investment furthers Oklahoma City’s reputation as the “Softball Capital of the World,” as it prepares to host the 2028 Olympic softball tournament.

Quote of the day

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier
discussing WNBA officiating on NPR this week.