Showing up consistently with a fresh headspace and a contagious enthusiasm for 11 straight seasons is no easy feat, yet Rachel Banham continues to bring that fiery energy and steadfast leadership into the gym day after day.

In 2016, Banham was drafted as the No. 4 overall pick after averaging an impressive 21.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 144 games at the University of Minnesota. Upon joining the league, the tactical guard took on many different roles, embracing adaptability every step of the way.

“I've just learned a lot about myself and my strength and resilience through injuries, through team changes, through role changes,” Banham said. “Especially coming into the league, in college I was our best player, our leading scorer and just changing roles and being able to adapt.” 

Throughout the past 11 seasons, Banham truly became the backbone to every team she joined by being a reliable leader no matter the capacity. Whether being a consistent starter or bringing the energy as the second wind off the bench, the seasoned guard continues to make a positive impact each and every game.

“As a leader, just being someone that people trust and can lean on and talk to you about anything is what I pride myself in,” Banham said. “And bringing fun.”

Whenever Banham steps on the court, she puts consistent pressure on the three-point line. In her three seasons at the Sky, the efficient guard climbed to No. 6 on Chicago’s all-time three-pointers list and to No. 10 in the franchise’s all-time three-point field goal percentage list, recording 157 buckets from deep on a 35.2% look across 98 games. 

While she may make it look easy, Banham’s sharp shooting ability is a product of hard work, dedication and consistency.

“Staying ready is being prepared,” Banham said. “I'm in the gym every day. I come in on every off day. I prepare the same every day, and I haven't really changed my routine since I've been in the league.”

The routine that Banham established allowed her to push through adversity and leverage the impact of her hot hand when it’s in motion.

“I always feel confident in that, even if I've had an off night, I know I've prepared myself for it,” Banham said. “So it kind of takes the pressure off. And then in those games when I'm feeling good, just keeping that confidence and knowing that every shot's going in. 

“I know that when I step on the floor, I'm one of the best shooters on the court.”

Banham showed up in clutch moments countless times throughout her career, including recently sinking back-to-back threes in the fourth quarter against the then-No. 2 Valkyries to elevate the Sky from being down 59-57 to up 63-59. This fourth-quarter fire fueled the Sky to victory, which couldn’t have been achieved without Banham’s pure shooting.

The veteran strives to always be a central pillar of her teammates’ support system while valuing those that lift her up. Banham credits Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca and player development coach Aaron (AJ) Johnson as well as fellow Chicago veterans Courtney Vandersloot and Elizabeth Williams as people who continue to push her to be better everyday and continuously fill her cup.

“I just love honest people who are going to keep it real and continue to pour into me,” Banham said. “Even if I am a vet already, and I'm already on the tail end of my career, I still want to be coached and get pushed.”

Keeping a fresh perspective and willingness to learn allowed Banham to grow her own game each year throughout the past 11 seasons.

“Every season has been different for me,” Banham said. “So you can't go into it with the same expectations as the year before.

“This year has been challenging, but it's been valuable in the sense that I've grown even more as a leader and I've learned a lot about myself and how I want to coach because I want to be a coach after this season. I've just learned a lot about who I'm going to be as a coach and a leader outside of a player.”

Looking towards the future, Banham is ready to apply her leadership skills as a player to an even greater scale. She is determined to bring her contagious energy and dedication to consistency to build the next generation of players.

Banham commented on her leadership style that will continue to impact the game for years to come.

“Being someone that they can trust but respect, using my voice in the right way,” Banham said. “I'm fun, but I also have a way of being able to get a message across and be stern in that way. That's something I want to be as a coach. You're gonna have fun with me, but you're gonna respect me and know what needs to be done.”

It is undeniable the impact that Banham continues to have on the court. Her drive, excitement and reliability allowed her to grow as both a player and a leader. Through it all, Banham never lost her spark and always stayed true to herself.

“I feel like exactly what you see is who I am,” Banham said. “I hope to always stay true to that because that's just who I am and who I always want to be.”