Why Sky are parting ways with Maddy Westbeld despite 2025 draft pick status
admin_news
Why Sky are parting ways with Maddy Westbeld despite 2025 draft pick status originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Maddy Westbeld had a legitimate role as a rookie with the Chicago Sky.
She won't get a chance at a second season.
According to the WNBA's official transactions log, Westbeld was waived on Monday.
If she clears waivers without being claimed, she'll be a free agent able to sign with any team in the league.
Westbeld was a second-round pick by the Sky (No. 16 overall) in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of Notre Dame.
As a rookie, she averaged 4.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game and shot a promising 39.5% from 3-point range and an impressive 87.5% from the foul line.
Why did Sky get rid of Maddy Westbeld?
The Sky are shaking up their entire roster, and Westbeld was one of the casualties.
The Chicago Sky are going to look a lot different this upcoming season 👀
OUT
▫️ Angel Reese
▫️ Ariel Atkins
▫️ Rebecca Allen
▫️ Kia Nurse
▫️ Hailey Van Lith
IN
▫️ Skylar Diggins
▫️ Rickea Jackson
▫️ DiJonai Carrington
▫️ Azura Stevens
▫️ Natasha Cloud pic.twitter.com/EPYdbunng9— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 4, 2026
It's hard for players picked outside the first round to stick in the WNBA given the limited roster spaces available, and the Sky clearly chose to give looks to new players.
Westbeld, at 6-foot-3 with shooting touch, could certainly get another look in the WNBA, but it won't be with Chicago right now.
