Kamilla Cardoso is headed to Chile to represent Brazil at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, leaving the Sky without their center for up to three games.
Drafted No. 3 in 2024, Cardoso is central to the Sky’s future. This season, things are trending up. Even after losing her pick-and-roll partner Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending injury, she’s starting to prove she can anchor an offense.
She had a career night against the Sparks on Tuesday, scoring 27 points and hitting her first three-pointer. She’s also leading the league in field goal percentage over the last four games, shooting 68.3%.
Losing her now is tough for the Sky. But according to Cardoso, playing with Brazil gives her more chances to shoot. She’s even more of a focal point with her national team. And representing Brazil at this level is something she has dreamed about since she was a kid.
She’s not the only one getting that chance.
Around the league, 11 players are missing WNBA games for international duty — either for AmeriCup or EuroBasket, another FIBA continental championship that runs through the end of June. The Valkyries, whom the Sky face Friday night, have been without four key players.
The tournaments carry weight beyond national pride. They double as qualifiers for the next FIBA World Cup and Olympics, meaning Cardoso could miss time again next season if Brazil advances.
“This is part of her job as a professional basketball player, so we support her and any players that wish to take that on,” Sky coach Tyler Marsh said.
Of course, missing games for national-team duty isn’t usually part of the job for male professional basketball players. NBA stars don’t have to choose, because international tournaments take place in their offseason. But the WNBA, built as a summer league to fit the NBA calendar, didn’t account for FIBA conflicts. That puts WNBA players in a tough spot.
Change may be on the horizon, though. With 34 international players in the league this season — up from 25 in 2023 — the WNBA and FIBA have more incentive to cooperate. In May, FIBA announced it would push the 2030 World Cup to after the WNBA season ends.
There’s precedent for intentional scheduling in other leagues. The NWSL adjusted its schedule this season to go dark during FIFA windows, ensuring players don’t have to choose between club and country.
WNBA players could push for something like this in their own ongoing CBA negotiations.
Meanwhile: how will the Sky adjust without Cardoso? They can lean on backup center Elizabeth Williams. She’s shooting 65% over her last four games, third-best in the league in that stretch.
“She’s our X-Factor,” Ariel Atkins said last week.
Cardoso’s absence also might nudge Marsh to return to something that worked earlier in the season. The Sky found success using “small-ball” lineups with Rebecca Allen or Michaela Onyenwere at the four. Now might be the time to bring that back.
Still, for all the tactical adjustments, what her teammates will miss most is Cardoso herself.
“She’s a bit of a goofy one,” Allen said with a smile. “She’s a delight for all of us.”
What does Cardoso plan to do for fun in Chile?
“I’ve never been there,” she said. “I know it’s going to be really cold. So probably just chill and focus on the game.”