CHICAGO, Illinois (WDTN) – Just days after the Chicago Sky waived Fairmont grad Maddy Westbeld, the team is bringing here back on a development contract.
Westbeld joins Aicha Coulibaly as the two players who were waived and then brough back.
Development contracts are new to the WNBA this year. In addition to the 12 roster spots, two development players can practice with the team and play in up to 12 games.
Westbeld and Coulibaly could be signed to a full spot if another player on the roster went down with an injury. It is similar to that of a practice squad of an NFL team.
However, other teams in the league can also offer development players a full roster spot at any time. The Sky would have right-of-first-refusal to offer a full spot on the roster, otherwise the player could take the other deal.
Westbeld primarily came off the bench in her rookie season for the Sky, appearing in 26 games where she averaged 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
The 2025 No. 16 overall draft pick scored a career-high 25 points in Chicago’s season finale against Liberty.
The initial waiver of Westbeld was part of a greater roster gutting by the Sky. Chicago waived three of its 2025 draft picks, including Westbeld and former college basketball star Hailey Van Lith. The Sky also traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. The Sky went 10-34 last season.
The 2026 WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 8.
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