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  "path": "/chicago-sky/2026/05/29/sky-looking-to-address-rebounding-woes",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-29T23:18:39.116Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Rebounding was a predictable problem for the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" target=\"_blank\" >Sky</a>, given how guard-heavy their roster is, and it has hurt them recently. The Sky entered their game Friday against the Lynx ranked last in the WNBA in defensive rebounding percentage.</p><p>Practice and film sessions this past week focused on cleaning it up.</p><p>While being undersized contributes, the Sky have struggled even when using their two-big lineup. Players have been adamant that effort and attention to detail are the biggest factors.</p><p>‘‘Rebound is heart and hustle,’’ forward <b>Azura Stevens</b> said last week. ‘‘There’s not a lot of technique to it. You’ve got to hit somebody and keep a body on them.’’</p><p>The Sky got strong rebounding performances from guards <b>Skylar Diggins</b> and <b>Natasha Cloud</b> to start the season. More of that will help.</p><p>They also signed rookie <b>Saylor Poffenbarger</b> to a hardship contract, in part to address the problem. She averaged 6.3 rebounds during her college career, with stops at UConn, Arkansas and Maryland.</p><p>‘‘That’s kind of what I pride myself in: playing really hard, getting extra possessions, rebounding, playing fast,’’ Poffenbarger said after shootaround Friday.</p><p>Poffenbarger went undrafted but signed a training-camp contract with the Lynx. When she didn’t make their roster, she went back home to train in Maryland.</p><p>She still is adjusting to how fast the league moves. The Sky reached out to her Tuesday evening, and she suited up against the Tempo the next day.</p><p>‘‘To be on a roster in the ‘W’ is difficult, so just embracing this, coming in and just playing really hard,’’ Poffenbarger said.</p><h3>Missing the rook</h3><p>Rookie <b>Gabriela Jaquez</b> missed her second consecutive game with a knee injury, but she was able to participate in parts of shootaround, coach <b>Tyler Marsh</b> said.</p><p>Jaquez, the No. 5 pick in the draft last month, injured her left knee May 17 against the Lynx. She is averaging 11.5 points and 5.3 rebounds so far — a strong stat line for a rookie. Her rebounding average leads all rookies, and her scoring average is sixth.</p><p>‘‘I think the hardest part for me is to just go from one season to the next really quick,’’ Jaquez said after practice Monday. ‘‘It’s just a lot of games. . . . I love playing basketball, so it’s fun for me, but I’m also big on taking breaks in the offseason. Like, having a couple of weeks off to just not touch a basketball.’’</p><p>Jaquez had exactly 14 days from winning the national championship with UCLA to the start of Sky training camp.</p><p>And she was handed a heavy load immediately. Her 28.3 minutes per game ranks second among rookies.</p><p>She will be reevaluated early next week, a team source said.</p><h3>Out of shape</h3><p>Lynx coach <b>Cheryl Reeve</b> had a theory about why there have been so many injuries leaguewide: Protracted negotiations on a new collective-bargaining agreement delayed the typical free-agency and offseason calendar for players.</p><p>‘‘It’s not all the injuries, of course, but we didn’t have players that were in great shape, so it’s hard to all of a sudden ramp up,’’ she said. ‘‘I think it had a little something to do with it.’’</p><bsp-list-loadmore class=\"PageListH\" data-module data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-010001\" name=\"list-010001\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> Latest on the Sky and WNBA </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items\" data-with-borders data-list-loadmore-items> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Marina Mabrey and the Sky still see the best in each other\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/05/27/marina-mabrey-and-the-sky-still-see-the-best-in-each-other\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c03179e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5129x3433+21+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F30%2F8d%2Fb4b397da4ef7a11152b3f00b8f1c%2F2278531751.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1c13709/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5129x3433+21+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F30%2F8d%2Fb4b397da4ef7a11152b3f00b8f1c%2F2278531751.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Toronto Tempo v Chicago Sky\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1c13709/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5129x3433+21+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F30%2F8d%2Fb4b397da4ef7a11152b3f00b8f1c%2F2278531751.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/05/27/marina-mabrey-and-the-sky-still-see-the-best-in-each-other\" >Marina Mabrey and the Sky still see the best in each other</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Now the face of Toronto’s new franchise, Mabrey gave Sky fans the full experience in the Tempo’s win at Wintrust Arena.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1779935248000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"873\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Sky sign Saylor Poffenbarger to hardship contract amid wave of injuries\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/05/27/sky-sign-saylor-poffenbarger-to-hardship-contract-amid-wave-of-injuries\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e4d7c8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3585x2400+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0b%2Fb3%2Fbecf259742a2992e3bb1df2b02aa%2Fap25010034074332.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11d8745/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3585x2400+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0b%2Fb3%2Fbecf259742a2992e3bb1df2b02aa%2Fap25010034074332.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"USC Maryland Basketball\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11d8745/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3585x2400+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0b%2Fb3%2Fbecf259742a2992e3bb1df2b02aa%2Fap25010034074332.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/05/27/sky-sign-saylor-poffenbarger-to-hardship-contract-amid-wave-of-injuries\" >Sky sign Saylor Poffenbarger to hardship contract amid wave of injuries</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Before signing Poffenbarger, the Sky were down to nine active, fully-rostered players.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1779910184000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"180\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"New year, new Kamilla Cardoso? Sky center's surge hints at new pattern\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/05/26/new-year-new-kamilla-sky-center-cardosos-surge-hints-at-new-pattern\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/944e07b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4610x3086+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff2%2Fb9%2F530b9dc44c25896e2f902b1ec8cf%2Fkamilla.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c8b5e94/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4610x3086+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff2%2Fb9%2F530b9dc44c25896e2f902b1ec8cf%2Fkamilla.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Chicago Sky v Golden State Valkyries\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c8b5e94/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4610x3086+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff2%2Fb9%2F530b9dc44c25896e2f902b1ec8cf%2Fkamilla.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/05/26/new-year-new-kamilla-sky-center-cardosos-surge-hints-at-new-pattern\" >New year, new Kamilla Cardoso? Sky center's surge hints at new pattern</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Flashes of dominance have defined her first two seasons. Now she has to prove she can sustain them. </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1779840170000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"869\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
  "title": "Sky looking to address rebounding woes",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-29T23:58:54.747Z"
}