In a close battle on June 15th, we saw the Chicago Sky walk away with a win versus the Connecticut Sun. The game featured VIS Mentor Elizabeth Williams, Kamilla Cardoso, and Angel Reese, who secured her first career triple-double. This trio of made up of veteran leadership and young talent in the paint have been the anchor of the Sky both on and off the court. We spoke with Williams, Reese, and Cardoso at the game to talk about leadership, guidance, and pressure.
Elizabeth Williams Leads by Example
Chicago Sky center and VIS Mentor Elizabeth Williams has tipped off her tenth WNBA season after missing most of last year due to injury. As a leader in the league and on the Sky, her time away from the court last season was a big opportunity to guide her team and remind them of some important messages from the sidelines.
“Obviously I had to lead from the bench a little more last year. And I think it is always reminding people to have a sense of gratitude when they play. I think when you have your ‘why’ and you put things in perspective, you just just play with a different level of focus and confidence,” she said.
When it comes to her leadership style, she talked about leading by example. Since actions speak louder than words, she uses her skills to showcase consistency everyday both as a player and a veteran presence. Williams especially takes pride in guiding Reese and Cardoso, who are also post players. The young duo is the next in line and Williams wants to make sure they have long, successful careers.
“I just want them to continue to play with a high level of confidence… I just want them to be pros in every sense of the word,” she said. “You know, it's not easy to stay in this league and have longevity. And so if you're really good at something and continue to show improvement, that's what will allow you to have success.”
“A lot of leading is knowing when to follow. A lot of leadership is being true to yourself. And a lot of leadership comes from consistency.”
Reese and Cardoso Carry the Torch
The young duo have become key players for the Sky in just their second season in the WNBA. Under intense pressure and outside noise, the rising stars have remained focused on all the right things.
“Success for me is winning games, you know. And I'm a team player. I want to win and it does not matter what my stats are. So as long as we're winning, I think that's success,” Cardoso told us prior to the game. As a key starter for the Sky in her first two years so far, she is committed to working hard everyday and doing whatever her teammates need from her in order to win.
For Reese, she had similar things to say on the topics as well. After earning herself a triple-double, we asked her how she has been able to balance the expectations put on her while also making an impact on the court.
“Just staying the course. I have great teammates. The Sky has done a good job being able to have my back with everything. I love being here, I enjoy it. Obviously, it's been a bumpy road. It hasn't been easy for us… we got to trust the process,” she said, and reminded fans to continue to be patient and give them grace as they improve each day.
In the Paint, In Her Footsteps
As Reese and Cardoso continue to carry high expectations, they do so with the steady support from Williams. Cardoso speaks highly of her on and off the court, saying that she has learned from her the importance of the little things and never giving up on a play. “It's amazing to have ‘E’ [Elizabeth Williams], and she doesn’t get enough flowers that she deserves… She did amazing things for this league, and just being able to have her here and seeing the things that she does and how good of a leader she is, it just makes me want to be like her and play as hard as she does,” she explained.
The opportunity to learn from a veteran like Williams is one that Reese doesn’t take lightly, either. She explained how they balance each other out since Williams is more of a quiet, steady presence, while Reese is more high energy. Reese continues to learn from her play as well, keeping a close eye on the things she does under the rim. “She’s been a great mentor towards me and Kamilla and being able to have that has really helped us,” she said.
As Williams continues to contribute on the court, she has simultaneously begun passing the torch to the next in line. When it comes to advice on leadership, she had three tips for young players. “A lot of leading is knowing when to follow. A lot of leadership is being true to yourself. And a lot of leadership comes from consistency,” she explained.
The Sky will continue to build on their young foundation, guided by the veteran wisdom of Williams and the rising stars of Reese and Cardoso.
