PHOENIX- The Phoenix Mercury welcomed the visiting Chicago Sky on Tuesday, but more importantly, Sky forward Maddy Westbeld and Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld shared the court for the first time.

Maddy may not have played in the Chicago Sky's loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, but she and her parents are proud to see her older sister, Kathryn, thriving with the Mercury.

"I'm so excited," Maddy said in an interview with Ballislife Tuesday. "We've always dreamed about this. We're six years apart, so it's never been able to happen in college or high school or anything, obviously. So for us to be able to do it on the pro level, on the highest stage, is something that's really sacred and special to me."

First WNBA Matchup for the Westbeld sisters. Sisterhood on the biggest stage 🧡 pic.twitter.com/lXNcRv680P

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 28, 2025

The Moment When Kathryn and Maddy Made W Rosters

Throughout training camp, Kathryn participated for the Mercury while Maddy was selected at 16th overall by the Sky in the 2025 WNBA Draft. They both grew up in Kettering, Ohio, and played basketball at the same high school and college (Notre Dame).

Their family members anxiously awaited news of their roster status. Once they found out, Maddy, Kathryn, and their family joyfully celebrated through FaceTime and expressed gratitude for one another, although they were born six years apart.

"My whole family had alerts on their phones every single day, looking for any news in the league and once their last cuts (was announced), and it wasn't Maddy's name," Kathryn said. "We all FaceTimed and congratulated her. It's hard to really show how happy and proud we are of her through FaceTime, but she knows how much we are proud of her and what she's overcome to get here. And I just couldn't be more proud to be her bigger sister."

Kathryn was not only experiencing nerves but also excitement during a challenging period of training camp cuts. Maddy shared these feelings as well.

Kathryn has demonstrated to the Mercury that she is ready to make an impact after developing her playing style while competing in overseas basketball throughout her career.

"It all happened in the same week with Kathryn too, obviously," Maddy told Ballislife. "So, I mean, it was so much gratitude, that's really the one word I can describe. All of this is happening in God's timing, and it's divine timing for all of it, the fact that it happened all in the same year. And it's the world catching up. So I'm so grateful."

How Kathryn Westbeld Got to Where she is Today

Kathryn played for the Fighting Irish from 2014 to 2018. She won a National Championship in her senior year, alongside teammates Arike Ogunbowale, Marina Mabrey, Jackie Young, and Brianna Turner, who are all playing at the professional level.

After going undrafted in the 2018 WNBA Draft, Kathryn participated in the Los Angeles Sparks training camp but was waived. Subsequently, she played basketball overseas in Australia and Hungary.

When Kathryn received an opportunity from Nate Tibbetts and the coaching staff to participate in the Phoenix Mercury training camp, she expressed her gratitude to the organization for believing in her.

"Just grateful," Kathryn said during the shootaround. "It's really hard for one person to make it in the league, but for two people in the same family, and my little best friend to make it in the league with me, it's really special. We're both really grateful and excited to step on the court next to each other."

When Maddy followed Kathryn's footsteps in the game of basketball, from being standouts at Fairmount High School to making an impact on Notre Dame's program, both sisters have believed in one another to be where they are today.

"She's just an impact type of player and person," Maddy told Ballislife. "I've said this before, she's a champion in everything she does. So she's going to walk in whatever space that she's entering and make an impact right away. And Phoenix is seeing that (impact Kathryn is making to the team). But to my family, everybody is so proud. They're here today to support us. Our success is their success. So it's just incredible to see and bring everybody together in that way."

Maddy has always looked up to her older sister as a role model, but more importantly, their parents and faith have guided the Westbeld sisters to achieve their greatest accomplishments.

When Kathryn contributed to the Mercury's Tuesday win over Maddy and the Sky with her 3-point shooting and defensive intensity, both sisters shared appreciation towards one another.

"I give credit to her," Maddy told Ballislife. "I mean, she has been my biggest role model my entire life. Obviously she's my big sister, but she's also my shoulder (to cry on). She's my parent at times, everything that I need her to be in the moment. So, for me, she's definitely somebody I give credit to. But then for the both of us, our parents have been our rock, our consistent support and security of our entire lives. And so I just give so much credit (and) Christ to them because they raised us."

The Mercury have started their season with a 4-1 record, their best start since 2014, the year they won the championship. Kathryn has played in all five games for Phoenix, averaging 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. She has also made at least one 3-pointer in each of her first five career games. Tibbetts and the team are pleased with her contributions on both ends of the court.

"It's a great opportunity"
-Sky head coach Tyler Marsh 

Ahead of the matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Phoenix Mercury, Sky head coach Tyler Marsh highlighted the significant achievement of both Kathryn and Maddy reaching the WNBA. He emphasized the importance of this milestone, especially considering their lifelong dedication to playing basketball.

Kathryn and Maddy have put blood, sweat, and tears into getting where they are today.

"For someone who also has a family member in the profession (and) in the sport, it's a great opportunity," Marsh said pregame. "One that not many are afforded to, and just for both the Westbeld sisters to be able to play in the league at the same time, it's a huge accomplishment. And something I'm sure their family takes extreme pride in, and those are moments that you can only pray for, and things that you just enjoy when the time comes. And so I'm sure it's an experience that'll last a lifetime for both of them."

With Kathryn making a tremendous impact as a rookie for the Mercury and Maddy soaking it all in as a rookie with the Sky, their sibling relationship is one of the best storylines to follow in the WNBA.  Ironically, Kathryn's teammate, forward Satou Sabally, has a sister Nyara who plays for the New York Liberty.

That's an incredible rarity in the W and any pro sports league. 

"We've been telling each other, I'll meet you at the room on this very day," Maddy told Ballislife. "So I was so excited and grateful that the day was finally here and we're able to do it together."