Kamilla Cardoso may tower over opponents as the 6-foot-7 center for the Chicago Sky, but her strength off the court comes from her foundation: her mother, Janete Soares, and older sister, Jessica Silva.
While Cardoso’s basketball accolades continue to grow, her personal journey from Montes Claros, Brazil, to the WNBA is rooted in the love, sacrifices, and support of her family.
Mother Janete Soares’ Sacrifices Shaped Her Basketball Journey
Kamilla Cardoso was raised by a single mother, Janete Soares, who has been the bedrock of her life.
Hailing from the small Brazilian city of Montes Claros, Janete raised Kamilla and her sister alone, working tirelessly to provide them with everything they needed.
When Kamilla was just 14 years old, Janete made the heart-wrenching decision to let her daughter move to the United States to pursue a basketball dream that could transform their lives.
In the ESPN+ docuseries “Full Court Press”, Soares reflected on her role as a parent, calling herself a “fierce black woman, a fighter,” a title her daughter wholeheartedly agrees with.
Kamilla, often emotional when speaking about her mother, shared:
“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.”
Despite living thousands of miles apart, the bond between mother and daughter remains unbreakable.
There Was A Surprise Reunion At Senior Day
In 2024, during Kamilla’s final season at the University of South Carolina, head coach Dawn Staley orchestrated a powerful surprise.
She flew Janete Soares and Jessica Silva from Brazil to attend Kamilla’s senior day, as they hadn’t witnessed her game in person.
With a Brazilian flag draped around her shoulders, Janete walked onto the court alongside her daughters.
Kamilla, overwhelmed with emotion, covered her face as she embraced her mother and sister.
It was more than a surprise; it was a culmination of years of sacrifice, distance, and dreams fulfilled.
Coach Staley summed up the moment:
“We got a chance to do something pretty special… To be away from your family as long as you’ve been away from your family, we wanted to make this day special.”
The visit almost didn’t happen; initial visa issues threatened to derail it, but U.S. Representative James Clyburn and his staff helped secure travel approval.
The result? One of the most heartfelt moments in college basketball that year.
Sister Jessica Silva Plays An Equally Supportive Role
Kamilla’s older sister, Jessica Silva, has always played a key part in her journey.
A fitness influencer and entrepreneur in Brazil, Jessica is active on social media, where she frequently cheers on Kamilla’s achievements.
In a social media post after Kamilla’s stellar double-double in China, Jessica wrote:
“Primeiro de muitos!! 🤌🚀” (First of many!!)
Despite the physical distance, the emotional closeness between the two sisters has never faded.
In fact, Kamilla credits her sister’s basketball practices for sparking her own passion for the game.
“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… Then I started practicing, and I fell in love with it.”
Kamilla Cardoso Doesn’t Talk About Her Father Due To His Limited Presence In Her Early Life
There is limited public information about Kamilla Cardoso’s father, and she has rarely spoken about him.
Her story, however, has consistently centered around her mother and sister, who played pivotal roles in her upbringing and success.
Her focus on their sacrifices, particularly her mother’s tireless work ethic and emotional strength, suggests that Janete Soares is the primary parental figure in her life.
