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The Chicago Sky's 2025 first-round pick won't play for the team this season. Instead, she'll go to college.
On Wednesday, Kentucky women's basketball announced the signing of 6-foot-4 Slovenian guard Ajša Sivka, who was drafted No. 10 overall in by the Sky in WNBA draft last spring.
“I am delighted to welcome Ajša to our program,” Wildcats head coach Kenny Brooks said. “Her combination of size and skill will fit into our system seamlessly. Ajša is a tremendous shooter, scorer, and playmaker from the wing position, and she will add experience to our team.”
Sivka, who has played extensively with the Slovenia National team, was named to the All-Star Five Team at the 2023 FIBA U18 Women’s European Basketball Championship. She also walked away with MVP honors. During the 2025 EuroBasket Women’s Championship, Sivka averaged 7.7 points per game on 50% shooting and 2.7 rebounds per game. Last year, the Slovenian guard also spent time with Joventut Badalona of the Liga Feminina de Baloncesto in Spain.
How can Sivka, who was drafted last year, play for Kentucky this season?
The 20-year-old guard, who was eligible for the 2025 WNBA Draft since it occurred during the year of her 20th birthday, didn't sign with the Sky or participate in any practices. Therefore, she has all of her NCAA eligibility and can play for Kentucky in 2026. Chicago owns Sivka's rights and retains those rights up to a year after she exhausts her college eligibility.
If Sivka plays four seasons of college basketball, she would potentially exhaust her eligibility in 2030. The Sky would then have exclusive rights to negotiate a contract with her for up to a full year, through 2031. However, the NCAA will determine how much eligibility she has based on age and her professional experience overseas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How can a 2025 WNBA Draft choose to play for Kentucky in the fall?
Continue reading...
On Wednesday, Kentucky women's basketball announced the signing of 6-foot-4 Slovenian guard Ajša Sivka, who was drafted No. 10 overall in by the Sky in WNBA draft last spring.
“I am delighted to welcome Ajša to our program,” Wildcats head coach Kenny Brooks said. “Her combination of size and skill will fit into our system seamlessly. Ajša is a tremendous shooter, scorer, and playmaker from the wing position, and she will add experience to our team.”
Sivka, who has played extensively with the Slovenia National team, was named to the All-Star Five Team at the 2023 FIBA U18 Women’s European Basketball Championship. She also walked away with MVP honors. During the 2025 EuroBasket Women’s Championship, Sivka averaged 7.7 points per game on 50% shooting and 2.7 rebounds per game. Last year, the Slovenian guard also spent time with Joventut Badalona of the Liga Feminina de Baloncesto in Spain.
How can Sivka, who was drafted last year, play for Kentucky this season?
The 20-year-old guard, who was eligible for the 2025 WNBA Draft since it occurred during the year of her 20th birthday, didn't sign with the Sky or participate in any practices. Therefore, she has all of her NCAA eligibility and can play for Kentucky in 2026. Chicago owns Sivka's rights and retains those rights up to a year after she exhausts her college eligibility.
If Sivka plays four seasons of college basketball, she would potentially exhaust her eligibility in 2030. The Sky would then have exclusive rights to negotiate a contract with her for up to a full year, through 2031. However, the NCAA will determine how much eligibility she has based on age and her professional experience overseas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How can a 2025 WNBA Draft choose to play for Kentucky in the fall?
Continue reading...
