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Sydney Taylor’s WNBA debut was inevitable.
The former Louisville women’s basketball guard went undrafted in 2024 but began her professional career overseas. She played in Poland and averaged 22.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals over 34 games played for MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec.
This season, Taylor earned an opportunity to make a WNBA roster, signing with the Chicago Sky. She’s yet to disappoint: the guard has led the team’s scoring in seven games so far this season. That included a 31-point performance in the Sky’s 95-94 loss to the New York Liberty last Wednesday, July 15.
Despite the Sky (9-18) being second-to-last in the Eastern Conference standings, Taylor is having a breakout rookie season. She’s averaging 14.2 points (tied for second-best on the team) on 45.7% shooting (fourth-best) to go along with 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game prior to the All Star break.
“I put in a lot of work behind the scenes, behind the camera, countless hours in the gym after even being turned down and going undrafted,” Taylor told MTMV Sports Network. “I think that’s really tough, and a lot of people don’t realize how much that takes to get back up and keep trying to pursue your goals.”
After All-Star weekend, Taylor and the Sky continue the season by hosting the Connecticut Sun on Thursday.
Taylor is one of five former Louisville standouts to appear in the WNBA this season, although only four are still on rosters. Rookie Laura Ziegler made three appearances with the Los Angeles Sparks, scoring her first career points June 21, but was waived July 5.
Here’s how the other former Cardinals are faring in 2026:
After being out for the start of the season with an injury, Evans returned to the court July 12 and has played in three games. During that time, she’s averaged 4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The Aces (18-8) are currently third in the Western Conference.
In her eighth season in the league, Hines-Allen has provided the Fever (17-10), first in the Western Conference, with 4.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
As part of the Fire’s inaugural season, Engstler is averaging 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, though the squad, fifth in the Western Conference, has lost back-to-back games en route to an 11-16 record.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How Louisville women's basketball alums are faring in 2026 WNBA season
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The former Louisville women’s basketball guard went undrafted in 2024 but began her professional career overseas. She played in Poland and averaged 22.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals over 34 games played for MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec.
This season, Taylor earned an opportunity to make a WNBA roster, signing with the Chicago Sky. She’s yet to disappoint: the guard has led the team’s scoring in seven games so far this season. That included a 31-point performance in the Sky’s 95-94 loss to the New York Liberty last Wednesday, July 15.
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Despite the Sky (9-18) being second-to-last in the Eastern Conference standings, Taylor is having a breakout rookie season. She’s averaging 14.2 points (tied for second-best on the team) on 45.7% shooting (fourth-best) to go along with 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game prior to the All Star break.
“I put in a lot of work behind the scenes, behind the camera, countless hours in the gym after even being turned down and going undrafted,” Taylor told MTMV Sports Network. “I think that’s really tough, and a lot of people don’t realize how much that takes to get back up and keep trying to pursue your goals.”
After All-Star weekend, Taylor and the Sky continue the season by hosting the Connecticut Sun on Thursday.
Taylor is one of five former Louisville standouts to appear in the WNBA this season, although only four are still on rosters. Rookie Laura Ziegler made three appearances with the Los Angeles Sparks, scoring her first career points June 21, but was waived July 5.
Here’s how the other former Cardinals are faring in 2026:
Dana Evans, Las Vegas Aces
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After being out for the start of the season with an injury, Evans returned to the court July 12 and has played in three games. During that time, she’s averaged 4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The Aces (18-8) are currently third in the Western Conference.
Myisha Hines-Allen, Indiana Fever
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In her eighth season in the league, Hines-Allen has provided the Fever (17-10), first in the Western Conference, with 4.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Emily Engstler, Portland Fire
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As part of the Fire’s inaugural season, Engstler is averaging 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, though the squad, fifth in the Western Conference, has lost back-to-back games en route to an 11-16 record.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How Louisville women's basketball alums are faring in 2026 WNBA season
Continue reading...
