Michaela Onyenwere

Searching for a way to combat the New York Liberty’s sizzling offense during a matchup on July 13, 2024, the Chicago Sky’s head coach introduced both two lineup changes and two descriptive words she hoped to see post-halftime: “energy” and “effort.” Michaela Onyenwere, for her part, ensured that progress on that goal arrived almost immediately. Noticeably aggressive in hunting out matchups to exploit, Onyenwere tests her size advantage against Sabrina Ionescu, using a powerful middle drive in isolation to set up bait for an off-handed, spin-and-scoop finish at the rim. Utilizing many of the traits that made her 2021’s Rookie of the Year in the Liberty’s threads, Onyenwere was supremely impactful even in defeat, turning in 14 points (on six-of-seven shooting), two rebounds, and two 3-pointers. For Onyenwere — also named to the Nigerian team for the Olympics just days prior — it marked the second of a sizzling three-game span in which she shot a near-perfect 11-of-12 from the floor.