It almost feels like the Chicago Sky have struck an unwritten pact with Hollywood and the entertainment world, repeatedly offering up a willing ambassador. First came new-age basketball sensation Angel Reese, and now it is the turn of a Sky veteran, set to appear on screen in an entirely different avatar as she too follows the youngling into the world of glitz and glamor.

Angel Reese had just announced the news of her first major Hollywood voice acting project as she bagged the role of Propp in a movie titled GOAT under Stephen Curry’s production. Now, Propp is a polar bear who will be a member of a team that opposes the titular character, Will, an anthropomorphic goat who harbors a big dream of making it big in the world of sports. So, that is some big news headed our way, and with Courtney Vandersloot also making her acting debut, it must be said that it’s quite an opportune moment for Chicago Sky players in general, both on and off the court.

Courtney Vandersloot, one of the most accomplished players in franchise history, is stepping onto the screen in an upcoming episode of Chicago Med. The Sky guard ranks second in WNBA history in regular-season assists and sits atop the playoff assists list. Known league-wide as the “Floor General” for her elite court vision, the five-time WNBA All-Star (2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023) will appear in Season 11 of the show, in an episode titled Frost on Fire, which unfolds inside Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.

Vandersloot has long dictated the pace on the basketball court, but this appearance presents a new challenge. She will be playing herself, giving fans a chance to see how seamlessly her real-life presence translates on screen. The episode’s synopsis indicates how she might be used.

“Archer and Frost confront a troubling medical mystery while treating a college basketball player; Lenox’s treatment of a surrogate patient leads to unexpected complications for the patient and her best friend,” the logline states, and you can clearly imagine why it needs a pro basketball player in the mix.

A set of four photos started doing the rounds, and she was seen handing her No. 22 Sky jersey to a young patient at the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, along with poses alongside Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber) and Dr. John Frost (Darren Barnet). The cast has already welcomed her with open arms, and you could feel the sense of camaraderie emanating from the radiant pictures.

Chicago has always remained a special place for Vandersloot. The treason being the Kent, Washington, native was drafted third overall out of Gonzaga by the Chicago Sky in the 2011 WNBA Draft. Over there, Vandersloot played 12 seasons in Chicago (2011-2022) and helped the franchise win a WNBA title in 2022, before picking up another championship in 2024 during her two-year stint with the New York Liberty (2023-24). So naturally, with her WNBA commitments complimented with her college nostalgia, she is the perfect addition to the star cast.

Sneak peek images already circulating show Vandersloot interacting with the show’s college athlete, fueling curiosity around how her cameo will land with viewers. Whether it gives the episode a ratings bump or simply adds novelty remains to be seen. What is already evident, though, is that star power does move the needle. The absence of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark elsewhere has already had a noticeable impact on viewership trends.

Angel Reese’s Absence From Unrivaled Drops Viewership

Unrivaled probably wouldn’t have expected their second season take this unexpected turn when it started. They introduced us to some big names that did not lack star power by any means – Paige Bueckers, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Rickea Jackson, among others, who don’t need any formal introduction, and even then, it couldn’t save itself from the downward plunge.

While the first season drew out a sold-out crowd to watch during the off-season, the second season is proving to be quite underwhelming. Despite the accommodation being increased from 850 to 1000, seats remained empty in the newly renovated arena.

TNT’s viewership experienced a lull, and many felt that something was off. Unrivaled’s opening slate on Jan. 5 (which kicked off with a Monday afternoon game) averaged 175,000 viewers in the two games that aired both on TNT and truTV; the two truTV-exclusive games on Jan. 5 averaged 32,000 viewers. Games on January 9 averaged 139,000 viewers across TNT and truTV. The four games that aired Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 averaged 71,000 viewers on truTV.

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This represents a sharp drop-off from last season, when viewership numbers soared to impressive highs. A staggering total of 221,000 viewers on TNT across the regular season and playoffs, peaking at 377,000 viewers for the final of the 1-on-1 tournament. The opening night last season averaged 312,000 viewers across TNT and truTV. The 2026 games faced a competitive broadcast window with the NFL wild-card round and the College Football Playoff.

Can a league or sport truly blossom when the generational stars are not around? After throwing repeated hints that Angel Reese or even Caitlin Clark would be joining, with reference to the number “22,” and when that didn’t materialize, people questioned its credibility. Angel Reese focusing on rehab rather than returning to court didn’t help matters either, along with Caitlin Clark not giving her nod to play, sticking with the WNBA program.

Unrivaled feels noticeably short on spark this season, and Reese’s absence has only magnified those struggles. Had she been part of the equation, Season 2 might have found that extra burst of energy to sustain its momentum. Instead, that window now appears to have closed. Still, there is hope that the league can steady itself and rebound, especially given the loyal following that continues to believe in its unconventional format.