Kamilla Cardoso’s journey to the WNBA is rooted in the love and sacrifices of her family. Raised in Brazil by a single mother and her older sister, Janete Soares, she faced her share of challenges. But she never gave up — and today, she’s a WNBA player with the Chicago Sky.
Janete Soares’ Sacrifices for Her Daughters’ Futures
Cardoso’s mother, Janete Soares, comes from Montes Claros, Brazil, and has always been a strong influence on her. As a single mother, she raised Kamilla and her older sister. When she recognized Kamilla’s basketball talent, she supported her decision to move to the U.S. at just 15 to chase bigger opportunities.
Now, watching her daughter succeed, she couldn’t be prouder. , “She was always a fierce Black woman, a fighter,” Soares said in the ESPN+ docuseries “Full Court Press.”
Cardoso also got emotional when talking about her family and their journey. “Sometimes when I’m in class, I think about them, and I just cry. Missing them is the hardest part,” she said.
“She used to teach me, and I used to write down every word and translate. That’s how I learned,” she added.
Cardoso also said, “I came from a family that didn’t have much, but my mom always made sure she worked 24/7 to provide everything that me and my sister needed.”
Sisterly Bond Between Kamilla Cardoso, Jessica Silva
Her older sister, Jessica Silva, is an Instagram fitness influencer. In March 2024, she flew to the U.S. from Brazil to attend Cardoso’s senior day game at the University of South Carolina.
Silva always supports her sister — whether in person or on social media. After Cardoso’s standout debut with the Shanghai Swordfish in China, where she recorded a double-double, Jessica celebrated with a message on Instagram that read, “Primeiro de muitos!! 🤌🚀” (First of many!!).
In an interview with Athletistic, Cardoso got emotional while reflecting on her past and her family’s support. “I would like to thank my family for their sacrifice in letting a 14-year-old girl cross the world to pursue her dreams and for their unconditional love and support,” she said.
She also opened up about her journey in the “Kamilla Cardoso: A New Dawn” interview on the Chicago Sky’s YouTube channel. When asked what the theme of her story would be, she answered, “I’ll say just a 14-year-old girl that left her home country behind to go chase her dreams.”
In the same interview, she explained how she first fell in love with basketball. “I didn’t have nobody to stay home with me. My sister had basketball practices, so I used to go with her to the arena and just sit there waiting for her to be done. And then I started playing, I started practicing, and I fell in love with it. I was like, this is what I want to do for real. I want to play professional. I want to make the WNBA.”
