Long Island native Sydney Taylor making history in the WNBA

It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Chicago Sky, who have been without key players Rickea Jackson, Skylar Diggins, and Courtney Vandersloot for most of their schedule due to injuries. The Sky were 12-21 and the No. 11 seed in the 15-team WNBA going into their game last night on the road versus the Golden State Valkyries, seven games behind the No. 8 seed Dallas Wings, who were 19-14 and holding on to the last playoff spot.

With 10 games remaining, the Sky’s playoff hopes are bleak. But one of their bright lights is rookie Sydney Taylor from South Huntington, Long Island, who was averaging 14.7 points per game before facing the Valkyries — making her the most prolific scoring undrafted rookie in WNBA history. On August 1, Taylor’s 29 points, including a last-second, game-winning 3-pointer, brought the Sky an exuberant victory over the three-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

While she grew up on Long Island and played high school basketball at St. Anthony’s, she credits her New York City grit to AAU ball, playing with the New York City Heat. “It definitely helped build my game. I played alongside a lot of good players that really helped instill confidence in me at a young age,” Taylor said. “New York City basketball is a different type of basketball; it’s aggressive, you play confident, you play freely, and that translates onto the court.”

Despite some solid results, including helping the St. Anthony Friars to CHSAA championships in her first three seasons and a state title as a freshman, she wasn’t heavily recruited. As a result, she selected the academically rigorous University of Massachusetts Amherst, earning a bachelor’s degree in public health sciences. Graduating in 2023, Taylor still had a year of eligibility, which she spent at basketball powerhouse Louisville.

Undrafted by the WNBA, Taylor was committed to pursuing her dream. “I was given two great opportunities to play overseas, so I played in Lithuania and Poland,” she said. “When I’m not over there, I’m grinding every day with my trainer. Any gym we can get into, we were putting in an hour and a half on the court and then I’d probably put in another hour in the weight room or some type of conditioning. Staying ready for when my name was called.”

In April, she signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky. Two weeks later, she scored 23 points in a preseason game. Making the roster was a dream come true. Chicago hosted the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, so her season has included participating in the activations and festivities.

“I get to live out my dream every day,” said Taylor, who will play in Turkey in the offseason. “It feels really good to be out there and to have that feeling that my teammates and coaches trust me.”

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