Slovenian prospect Ajša Sivka commits to University of Kentucky, delaying WNBA debut

Ajša Sivka has officially committed to the University of Kentucky, a decision that sees the 20-year-old Slovenian international postpone her professional debut to join the Wildcats program. The 2025 WNBA Draft No. 10 overall pick, originally selected by the Chicago Sky, will now focus on her collegiate career rather than entering the league immediately. Both the University of Kentucky and the Chicago Sky have publicly expressed support for the move, with the organisation confirming they will retain Sivka's draft rights despite her departure from their immediate plans.

Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks welcomed the prospect, citing her size, skill, shooting ability, and playmaking as a seamless fit for the team's system. The Wildcats, who made the Sweet 16 last season, lost significant talent this offseason and are looking to revamp their roster around existing stars like Clara Strack and Asia Boone. Brooks noted that Sivka's combination of attributes will add experience to the team, while her ability to space the floor and shoot off the move addresses a need for a high three-point rate.

Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh stated that the organisation was in regular communication with Sivka and her family, concluding that experiencing college basketball was the best decision for her lifestyle and development. The Sky's recent history with the prospect highlights a strategic approach to long-term potential; General Manager Jeff Pagliocca previously noted that the team wanted to keep players of her size who can shoot the ball, viewing her as a draft-and-stash candidate. However, the Sky's 2026 training camp roster announcement notably excluded Sivka, with Pagliocca offering no update on her status at the time.

Sivka's recent professional stint with Joventut Badalona in Spain was underwhelming, averaging 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 29 games with shooting splits of 40.2/33.8/65. This performance contrasts with her decorated history on the international level, where she was named the MVP of the 2023 FIBA Women's U18 European Championships and played for the senior national team at the 2023 EuroBasket Women. Her decision to return to the collegiate circuit follows an underwhelming professional campaign, suggesting a desire to refine her game against peers rather than seasoned veterans.

The move adds to the Chicago Sky's chaotic offseason, which also saw the team waive Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 pick in the 2025 draft. This development underscores a period of significant roster turnover and strategic recalibration for the franchise. While the Sky confirmed they are retaining Sivka's rights, the timing and nature of her future entry into the league remain subjects of institutional interest as the organisation navigates its roster construction.

Sivka's eligibility to enter the WNBA is currently unclear, as playing in the NCAA would reclassify her from an international prospect to a domestic one. This shift potentially requires her to wait until age 22 to enter the league, though the WNBA has not issued a definitive ruling on this specific case. The league confirmed that the Sky retains her rights in perpetuity, but the lack of clarity on her immediate eligibility marks a unique situation in the current WNBA landscape.