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Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso throw first pitch at Chicago Cubs game

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•05/21/24•

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Chicago Sky rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso at a Cubs game
© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Since the Chicago Sky selected them in the WNBA Draft, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso have embarked on quite the tour of the city. Their latest stop on Tuesday night took them to the Northside in front of a packed house at Wrigley Field.

Reese and Cardoso both threw out a first pitch ahead of the Cubs’ series opener against the Atlanta Braves. They also signed autographs before the game as they continue to become household names in Chicago during their rookie seasons.

It was quite a way to spend an off night ahead of Thursday’s game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.

Cardoso was Chicago’s top pick in last month’s draft, going No. 3 overall. However, she has yet to suit up for her new team as she deals with a shoulder injury. Tuesday marked the former South Carolina star’s first practice since getting hurt during preseason, and she told WBEZ’s Cheryl Raye Stout she plans to make her return June 1 against the Indiana Fever.

As for Reese – the No. 7 overall pick in the draft – she immediately jumped into the Sky starting lineup for the first two games of the year. In Saturday’s comeback victory over the Dallas Wings, she had 12 points and helped spark the fourth-quarter come back en route to the 83-74 win.

Off the court, Angel Reese has “maximized her 24 hours” in more ways than one. On her birthday, she attended the Met Gala and returned in time to score 13 points in a preseason game against the Liberty. She and Cardoso are also appearing in an NBA Finals commercial featuring other champions.

Of course, the celebrity attention around the Sky is also growing. Rapper Latto attended her first game and received a shoutout from Reese on social media afterward. There’s a buzz around the franchise, and it’s sure to grow once Cardoso jumps into the starting lineup after recovering from her injury.

In fact, that hype is already resulting in some TV changes. The June 1 game between Chicago and Indiana, which is now set to be Cardoso’s return, was originally going to be on NBA TV. Those plans changed last week, and the game will now be broadcast on ESPN.

Soon, the Sky will be at full strength with the new-look frontcourt finally playing together in game action. Before that happens, though, Chicago will head to New York to take on the Liberty in Brooklyn.