Former Top-10 Pick Turns Down WNBA for College in Stunning Move
Summary
Ajša Sivka, a top-10 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has chosen to play college basketball at Kentucky for the 2026–27 season instead of joining the Chicago Sky in the WNBA immediately. This decision comes despite significant salary increases in the WNBA and her proven professional experience in Europe.Key Facts
- The WNBA recently signed a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that boosts player salaries significantly, with rookies now earning starting salaries near $500,000.
- Ajša Sivka was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and is eligible to join the Chicago Sky.
- Sivka has professional experience in Europe, playing for teams in Italy and France with strong performances.
- She earned MVP honors at the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship and played at the senior EuroBasket level for Slovenia.
- Instead of joining the WNBA immediately, Sivka will play college basketball for Kentucky in the 2026–27 season.
- Kentucky’s women’s team finished 25–11 in the 2025–26 season and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen under coach Kenny Brooks.
- Sivka’s choice to delay WNBA entry is unusual given her professional success and the lucrative new WNBA salaries.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.