by LARRY VAUGHT
Sivka, 20, is an international standout who has played not only for her national team but also for prestigious professional teams in Spain and Italy. She stayed in Europe to play for the Slovenia National Team in the 2025 FIBA Women’s European Basketball Championship instead of joining the WNBA.
The talented guard signed with Kentucky. She was eligible for the 2025 WNBA Draft since it occurred during the year of her 20th birthday but she didn’t sign with the Sky or participate in any practices. Chicago owns Sivka’s rights and retains those rights up to a year after she exhausts her college eligibility.
Kentucky will await word from the NCAA on how many years of eligibility Sivka will have based on her age and playing experience in Europe. This is the first time a player picked in the WNBA draft has opted to play college basketball and since she did not sign a WNBA contract she should be cleared to play for coach Kenny Brooks.
Even if Sivka was given four years of eligibility and used them all to finish her career in 203, the Chicago Sky would retain the rights to sign her through 2031.
“Adding her really makes Kentucky a more dangerous team. She gives the team another threat from the outside to open up the middle more for (All-American center) Clara Strack,” a source close to the UK team said. “Not many teams have a 6-foot-4 guard who is also a shooter and passer. This team is going to have a lot of really good players.”
