Chicago Sky Star Joins Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, and Flau’jae Johnson in Impressive Rookie Milestone
Some of the top rookies in the 2026 WNBA season include Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles, Dallas Wings sharpshooter Azzi Fudd, and Seattle Storm standout Flau’jae Johnson. All three have uncorked well-respected first-year campaigns, as they were all expected to be popular names during their time in college basketball. But Chicago Sky rookie Sydney Taylor is slowly putting herself in the discussion as well.
Recently, Taylor has been at the forefront of coach Tyler Marsh’s offense, as players like center Kamila Cardoso have been in and out of the lineup due to injury. As a result, Taylor has scored in double digits in nine out of her last 10 games. With this, @UndergroundWNBA on X/Twitter reported on Wednesday, July 15, that Taylor has joined Fudd, Miles, and Johnson as the only rookies with over 100 field goals made this season.
Rookies with 100+ FGM this season:
Azzi Fudd (No. 1 pick)
Olivia Miles (No. 2 pick)
Flau’jae Johnson (No. 8 pick)
Sydney Taylor (undrafted) pic.twitter.com/GUqat1lYZd
What’s most impressive about Taylor’s feat is that she was undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Miles, Fudd, and Johnson were all selected in the first round with the first, second, and eighth picks, respectively. Taylor signed a training camp deal with the Sky after she wasn’t selected in the draft, which turned into a base salary ahead of opening day. For now, Taylor’s contract is just for a year.
Despite Sydney Taylor’s rookie stat, Tyler Marsh wants her to attack the rim more
During his recent post-game press conference on Wednesday, July 15, Tyler Marsh was asked about Sydney Taylor reaching over 100 field goals made this season. Marsh then asserted that it is a testament to her shot-making ability and how dynamic it is. But the 38-year-old hopes that Taylor would attack the rim more, as her speed going downhill is underrated, according to Marsh.
“She’s dynamic in how she can score. I think that I’ve said it a bunch that you get enamored by her shot-making ability. But, I think what gets lost is her downhill speed, and threat to attacking the rim. We want more of that. I think that the more she gets comfortable with attacking close outs and making those reads inside, the easier her outside looks are going to be,” Marsh said. (30:37)
Coach Marsh, Taylor and the rest of the Sky recently beat Flau’jae Johnson and the Seattle Storm on their home floor by five points, 95-90.
