Two Bears, One Sky
Baylor's WNBA story this week is playing out on the Chicago Sky's roster, where alumni DiJonai Carrington and rookie Sydney Taylor are making a compelling case for the program's continued presence at the league's top level.
Taylor, a first-year guard, earned notable rookie recognition during the week of October 11–17 — a milestone that drew a warm, public response from her veteran teammate Carrington. The former Baylor standout, now an established presence in the WNBA, celebrated Taylor's honor with the kind of enthusiasm that speaks to something beyond ordinary teammate camaraderie. Two Bears, same locker room, one building each other up.
The Carrington Factor
Carrington's role in Taylor's early professional journey is worth noting. Veteran players who actively champion younger teammates — especially those who share a college alma mater — can be a significant accelerant for rookie development. Carrington has been exactly that for Taylor in Chicago, serving as a visible supporter as the first-year player finds her footing in the league.
For Baylor fans watching from Waco, this is the program's culture showing up at the professional level. Head coach Nicki Collen has built Baylor Women's Basketball into a pipeline, and the Sky's Carrington-Taylor pairing is a real-time example of that pipeline at work.
Elsewhere in the WNBA
Beyond Chicago, Baylor has notable representation scattered across the league. Brittney Griner and Caitlin Bickle are suiting up for the Connecticut Sun, Kalani Brown, Queen Egbo, and NaLyssa Smith are with the Las Vegas Aces, DiDi Richards is in New York with the Liberty, Odyssey Sims is with the Dallas Wings, Kristy Wallace is on the Atlanta Tempo, and Alexis Prince is in Phoenix with the Mercury.
The depth of that list underscores why Baylor continues to draw elite recruiting classes — the path from Waco to a professional roster is well-worn and well-lit.
The Bigger Picture
For a program that produced a WNBA champion and perennial All-Stars, the sight of Carrington wrapping a supportive arm around a promising rookie is business as usual. But the Taylor storyline is one to track. Rookie recognition in October — deep into the season — suggests she's done more than just survive the professional transition. She's thriving.
If Taylor's trajectory continues, the Sky may have found themselves another long-term contributor with Baylor green running through her veins. And if Carrington has anything to say about it, that trajectory is only going up.
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