Bigger Than a Box Score: Kamilla Cardoso on Growth and Mental Health

Kamilla Cardoso spent her day off the way many players dream of after a long stretch of travel: at home, catching her breath, doing laundry, and getting organized. The Brazilian-born Chicago Sky center had just come off an extended road trip, and even in a quiet moment, her outlook carried the energy of a player settling into a season with fresh purpose.

Off the court, Chicago has started to feel familiar in small, joyful ways. Cardoso lights up when she talks about patios, Mexican food, and trying new restaurants with friends.

“We try a different restaurant every time," she said. "My favorite right now is Maple and Ash."

Moments like those reveal a player who values rhythm away from the court as much as growth on it. In conversation with Newsweek, Cardoso talked about growing up in the city, her international experience, and the mental side of the game.

A New-Look Sky, A Growing Belief

On the floor, Cardoso sees a team taking shape quickly. Chicago entered the year with major changes and a roster full of new voices, new veterans, and new expectations. Though injuries have shaken the team, early returns have given her plenty of optimism.

"We have great pieces," she said. "We have a lot of talented players. We have some dogs on this team." Her excitement comes through when she describes the opening stretch, especially the presence of veterans who "are always there to pick you up and cheer you on."

The Mental Strength of Year Three

Her third year in the WNBA has brought a sharper understanding of what survival and success look like. Cardoso spoke openly about the emotional demands of the league, where performance can swing quickly, and confidence has to remain steady.

"You're going to have some ups and downs," she said. "I learned that I have to be mentally strong."

For Cardoso, growth has come from learning to keep perspective, resisting the urge to dwell on a single poor performance, and carrying herself with more balance from game to game.

The former third overall pick credits teammates, coaches, and sports psychology for helping her build those habits. Cardoso admitted she was hesitant at first, then realized how much support could help.

"At first, I had a little thing against it, but then I realized that I really need it," she said.

One lesson has stayed with her in particular: "You gotta let it go." In a league with multiple games each week, she has learned to "flip the page" faster, leaving a bad night behind before it can spill into the next one.

Consistency Beyond the Box Score

Cardoso's personal focus entering the season centered on consistency. She wants her impact to remain visible even when scoring comes and goes.

"It don't matter how many shots you miss," she said. "If your energy is good, it's so many other ways that you can impact the game."

Defense, effort, and a steadier presence have become central points of emphasis. She wants to be dominant, and she wants the path there to show up every night.

The Strength of Sisterhood

Chicago's early success has reinforced her belief in the group, though injuries have sidelined many key players. Cardoso pointed to competitiveness, veteran leadership, and off-court chemistry as key reasons the team has clicked so quickly.

"We're building a great identity here in Chicago this year," she said. Team dinners, game nights, and simple time together have helped speed up the connection. "We have fun with each other," she said. "It just makes everything easier."

Winning remains the center of her personal mission. Cardoso said her main goal entering the season was simple: help the Sky win.

"I come from a culture of winning," the two-time NCAA champion said, tracing that mindset to college, where team goals shaped daily habits and sharpened expectations. "We all just wanted to win," she said.

Those experiences still guide her approach, and they continue to fuel a bigger dream for the season ahead. "Winning the championship," she said, "that's our main goal right now."

Travel, Independence, and Perspective

Away from the WNBA season, Cardoso is also thinking globally. Her involvement with the new international women's league Project B appealed to two passions at once.

"Being able to do two things that I love," she said, "which is playing basketball and traveling the world." She also praised the league's player-centered vision, saying participation in ownership helps athletes feel "seen and heard."

Japan sits high on her list of destinations, especially because she has never been there. "That's one of my dream countries," she said.

Travel, for Cardoso, carries deep personal meaning. Thailand "has my heart," she said, a place she returns to whenever she gets the chance.

She loves meeting new people, learning local culture, and moving through unfamiliar places with curiosity. Even more striking is how often she travels alone. She plans some trips through social media and leaves room for instinct on others, arriving first and deciding later what the experience might become.

Her comfort with uncertainty began long before professional basketball. Cardoso moved to the United States from Brazil at 14 to attend Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, speaking no English and navigating daily life on her own.

"It made me stronger, for sure," she said. "It made me independent."

She learned how to cook, travel alone, and handle the practical parts of life without relying on family nearby. Pride entered her voice when she reflected on that transition.

"It made me the woman that I am today," she said. "And I'm really proud of myself."

Those years included AAU weekends in Atlanta, experiences she remembers with a mix of gratitude and honesty. Watching other players head to their families after games could be hard, especially when she had no parents waiting in the stands. Her coach became a vital source of care during that period.

"She made sure that I never felt lonely," Cardoso said, describing someone who stayed present through every step of her development. The memory still speaks to how much steady support can shape a young player's life.

Now, in Chicago, Cardoso sees another form of support around her. She said teammates have gone out of their way to make life easier for her as an international player, inviting her to meals and making sure she feels included.

"They always welcome me with open arms," she said.

Combined with her own inner growth, that environment has helped position her for a season built on bigger goals. She wants consistency. She wants growth. Above all, she wants to keep winning, and she sounds ready for everything required to chase it.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 11:23 AM.