Chicago Sky fans may not have to wait long to see their next sharpshooter take the court. Ajša Sivka, the 20-year-old Slovenian wing, drafted No. 10 in 2025, is currently dominating Spain’s top league and plans to join the Sky in 2026. Though she’s not expected to instantly transform the franchise, her knack for knocking down threes and versatile wing defense promises to inject fresh energy into a team still searching for perimeter firepower.
Sivka’s most lethal weapon is her silky-smooth release. Standing 6-foot-3, she requires almost no space or time to get her shot off, confidently launching from deep range. In Spain this season, she’s made nearly 40% of her threes — a remarkable mark against professional competition that often eclipses the intensity of U.S. college play. “At that size … her mobility and ability to shoot the ball so quickly, there’s just not a lot of them,” said Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca, highlighting the rare combination of height, agility, and precision.
But Sivka is more than just a shooter. Her court vision and passing set her apart as a multi-dimensional wing. She consistently finds angles for post-entry feeds, runs pick-and-rolls efficiently, and locates open teammates when defenses collapse on her. Defensively, she’s already proven capable of slowing top-level wings, including Mercury sharpshooter Kitija Laksa during recent FIBA competitions, giving the Sky a 6-3 defender capable of contesting drives and guarding multiple positions.
That said, Sky fans should temper expectations. Sivka is not a European prodigy destined to dominate immediately. On both her Spanish club and the Slovenian national team, she plays a supporting role — sinking threes, making smart cuts, and contributing in small but meaningful ways. Compared to other EuroLeague rookies who regularly steal the spotlight, her game is steady, efficient, and fundamentally sound, rather than flashy.
Still, her arrival gives the Sky a valuable asset: a 3-and-D wing with pro experience who can complement the team’s star bigs and potentially fill the shooting gaps left by previous seasons. If she transitions smoothly, Sivka could replicate the impact the team hoped to get from Rebecca Allen last year. More importantly, she represents the Sky’s continued commitment to player development, proving they can cultivate talent from overseas into reliable WNBA contributors.
As 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on Sivka to see if her European poise translates into WNBA success. Will she simply sink open threes, or is there hidden dazzle waiting for coach Tyler Marsh to unleash? One thing is clear: Chicago fans are bracing for the next chapter — and the story of Ajša Sivka is just beginning.
Leave a Reply