CHICAGO (April 11, 2023) — The Chicago Sky selected Kseniya Malashka (Kuh-sin-yuh Muh-lash-kuh) from Middle Tennessee State University with the 35th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, which aired Monday, April 10th on ESPN and live from New York.
“Kseniya is a tough, hard-nosed player who had an amazing career at Middle Tennessee,” Chicago Sky General Manager/Head Coach James Wade said. “She is a versatile, talented forward that we are excited to see here in Chicago.”
The 6’0” redshirt senior was named C-USA Preseason All-Conference (2022-23), C-USA 2x Sixth Player of the Year (2022-23), C-USA Player of the Week (2023), C-USA Sixth Player of the Year (2021-22), Second Team All C-USA (2021-22), WNIT All-Tournament Team (2021-22) and All-Atlantic 10 Rookie Team (2018-19), all in a Blue Raiders uniform.
As a redshirt senior this past season, Malashka averaged 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds to secure one of the best seasons in MTSU history. She helped lead the team to a 28-5 record, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and C-USA Regular-Season and Tournament titles. She surpassed 1,000 career points during the season and finished with a total of 1,207 points. She recorded double-figure scoring in 25 games, including a career-high 27 points back in February 2023, recorded 15 points against Louisville, and poured in 23 points against Belmont in November 2022, among a plethora of her accomplishments.
Before arriving at Middle Tennessee, the Minsk, Belarus native spent her first two collegiate seasons at VCU, where she was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Rookie Team and shot a team-best 39.0% from three-point range.
Entering its 18th WNBA season, the Sky finished the 2022 season with a franchise record of 26-10 and the second-highest overall record. General Manager/Head Coach James Wade won the WNBA Executive of the Year Award for 2022, along with Coach of the Month twice during June and July.
The Chicago Sky tip off the 2023 regular season on Friday, May 19 against the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis at 7:00 p.m. CST. Follow @chicagosky on social media and sky.wnba.com for the latest news, content, and ticket purchasing.