‘Nothing about this is surprising to us.’ Chicago Sky GM on Sivka signing with UK
Some in the women’s basketball community may have been surprised by Kentucky’s signing of former first-round WNBA draft pick Ajša Sivka, but Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca and his front office were not.
Sivka, whom Chicago selected No. 10 overall in the first round of the 2025 WNBA draft, was announced as Kentucky’s latest signing Wednesday morning — adding a potential star with professional experience to Kenny Brooks’ roster while raising questions regarding eligibility and draft rights.
“We stayed in close communication with Ajša and her team through this offseason and always knew that this was an option,” Pagliocca said in a statement to the Herald-Leader. “Nothing about this is surprising to us. We’re looking forward to getting her stateside and watching her compete against some of the best talent in the NCAA. Additionally, she’ll receive world-class coaching from Kenny Brooks and his staff, who have proven to cultivate WNBA talent. We’re excited for Ajša and her development.”
The Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia, native attended last year’s WNBA Draft in person, a formal invitation presented to players projected as first-round selections. Sivka did not join the Sky last season, instead remaining in Europe to join the Slovenian National Team in the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship.
Sivka will arrive in Lexington later in the offseason and join Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster. She’ll play alongside projected 2027 WNBA Draft pick Clara Strack and returning starter Asia Boone; incoming transfers Me’Arah O’Neal (Florida), Diana Collins (Alabama) and Ayanna Patterson (UConn); and UK’s five-star freshman class of Maddyn Greenway, Savvy Swords and Emily McDonald.
How is Ajša Sivka allowed to play college basketball?
As outlined by the collective bargaining agreement, in order for international players to be eligible for the WNBA Draft, they must be at least 20 years old during the year of their respective draft. Sivka turned 20 years old in November 2025, seven months after Chicago drafted her.
Sivka has played at the professional level for four clubs throughout Europe since she joined Slovenia-based club Konjice for the 2020-21 season, but she never signed a contract with the Sky after last year’s draft.
As an international player — which the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement defines as one who is “born and residing outside the United States who participates in the game of basketball as an amateur or a professional” — Sivka is eligible to play college basketball without penalty because she didn’t sign a WNBA contract.
As Pagliocca put it, the Sky is “excited” for Sivka’s development under Brooks. Chicago will retain the rights to Sivka’s contract until one year after her college eligibility is exhausted.
How much eligibility will Ajša Sivka have?
This is yet to be determined, and will be decided by the NCAA.
Kentucky fans are familiar with ex-Cat Andrija Jelavić, who played for the men’s basketball team during the 2025-26 season after playing professionally for Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League. Jelavić also played for three other pro clubs — OKK Beograd, KK Mega Leks U18 and KK Cedevita Olimpija Junior — and was deemed a sophomore by the NCAA ahead of last season despite never playing college basketball up to that point.
The NCAA will determine how much eligibility Sivka will have “based on both age and her professional experience overseas,” according to USA Today.
Have WNBA draft picks opted for college before?
Yes. There are two examples in as many years.
Belgian forward Nastja Claessens was drafted in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by Washington but chose to remain in Europe with IDK Euskotren during the season instead of signing with the Mystics. Claessens signed with Kansas State ahead of the 2025-26 college basketball season. The NCAA classified her as a junior, and Claessens averaged 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game for K-State this season.
Just weeks ago, French center Adja Kane committed to play for SMU next year, despite being selected by the New York in the third round of the 2025 WNBA Draft and later by the Toronto Tempo in this year’s expansion draft. Like Claessens and Sivka, Kane never signed a WNBA contract and decided to spend the season with Landerneau Bretagne Basket. She will join the Mustangs ahead of next season.
