An undrafted WNBA rookie is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate

A star has been born in Chicago, and it’s an undrafted rookie who was just a few years ago getting DNPs at UMass Amherst.

That star?

It’s Sydney Taylor, the 25-year-old Chicago Sky guard who is amid a ridiculous offensive explosion that reached its pinnacle on Saturday afternoon.

Taylor is averaging 14.7 points and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 45.5% from the field and 34.8% from three. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, and the bright spot for a Sky season that has come with its fair share of disappointments, headlined by an early-season Rickea Jackson ACL tear.

On Saturday, Taylor recorded her brightest moment as a pro, hitting a game-winning three-pointer over the Las Vegas Aces in a 29-point performance. That marked her fifth 25-point game of the season, and her latest offensive masterclass in her first pro season.

Taylor has been trending upwards as the season has progressed; she’s scored at least 14 points in every game since July 7th. She’s averaging 18.4 points on 47.3% shooting — and 39.3% from three — in 16 games as a starter this season.

The Sky have struggled — they’re 11-18 and out of the playoff picture — but Taylor has helped keep them in games all season long. Somehow, the undrafted rookie is the leading scorer on the roster. On Saturday, she carried them to perhaps their most impressive win of the season.

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles likely has Rookie of the Year locked up. Miles, who was drafted second overall, is averaging 19.4 points and 5.8 assists, while powering the Lynx ot the best record in the league.

But after her, it’s Taylor who is the second-leading scorer among rookies — not No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd (who has been fantastic) nor other top performers like Seattle Storm rookies Flau’jae Johnson and Awa Fam. As such, it seems very likely that she’ll be one of the five players named to the All-Rookie First Team (Miles, Fudd, Johnson, and Fam all seem like likely candidates, too, though New York Liberty guard Pauline Austier makes a strong case as well).

In 2021, Taylor played just 6 minutes per game at UMass. But she played out a four-year career there, establishing herself as an elite scorer before transferring to Louisville for a fifth season. The Sky signed her ahead of the season, and she’s now one of the most promising parts of their future.

She’s also one of the best rookies in the class, and a legitimate candidate for Rookie of the Year.