The WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm was held on April 15, 2024, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). This draft was filled with an incredible amount of anticipation and excitement from both the fans and the players. There were a lot of memorable moments from that night, however the most talked about one was Indiana Fever selecting Caitlin Clark as the first overall pick.
Clark’s selection marks a new milestone, not only for her but for the entire basketball community. The two-time Naismith College player of the Year has now marked her legacy as one of the most dominant players in the NCAA Division 1 history. Coming from Des Moines, Iowa, Clark’s journey to the top of the WNBA draft was remarkable. Throughout her distinguished collegiate career at Iowa, Clark consistently showed her skills on the court. A three-time unanimous first-team All- American, she led Iowa to consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball championship game.
Standing at six feet tall, Clark’s versatility as a guard is matched by her statistical dominance. She led Division 1 in both scoring, with an average of 31.6 points per game, and assists, averaging 8.9 per game. She has racked up about 3,950 points and about 550 three-pointers which has solidified her status as an all-time great in NCAA history.
Joining Clark in the limelight of the WNBA Draft were other standout players, each wanting to make their mark in professional basketball. The Los Angeles Sparks drafted Cameron Brink, a powerful 6-4 center-forward from Stanford, who was the second overall pick. Brink’s defensive ability is highlighted by her 3.74 blocks per game. This earned her the title of 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award as the nation’s best center. Shes also a two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year and a three-time AP All America Selection.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky bolstered their roster with the selection of Kamilla Cardoso, a 6-7 center from South Carolina, as the third overall pick. Cardoso’s had a key role in leading South Carolina to the 2024 national championship, where she won Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four and her second championship. She also has international playing experience, as she played in Brazil in 2021, which added depth to her impressive collegiate resume.
Rickea Jackson of Tennessee was selected by the Sparks. Jackson was a First-Team All-SEC selection in 2023-2024 and led the SEC in scoring this past season. The Dallas Wings utilized the No.5 overall pick to select Jacy Sheldon of Ohio State. The 5-10 guard averaged 17.8 points per game this season and helped lead the Buckeyes to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1993.
The 2024 WNBA Draft saw notable selections from various backgrounds and achievements. The Chicago Sky picked Angel Reese, a standout forward from LSU, known for her record-setting double-doubles and national championship. Alyssa Pili of Utah was chosen by the Minnesota Lynx for her exceptional scoring abilities and recognition as a top power forward. French players Carla Leite and Leïla Lacan were drafted by the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun respectively. Marquesha Davis of Mississippi was selected by the New York Liberty, while Nyadiew Puoch from Australia was picked by the Atlanta Dream.
In the second round, the Chicago Sky chose Brynna Maxwell from Gonzaga, and the Seattle Storm drafted Nika Mühl from Connecticut, known for her defensive prowess. Celeste Taylor of Ohio State was selected by the Fever for her defensive skills. The Las Vegas Aces made multiple picks in the round, including Dyaisha Fair, Kate Martin, and Elizabeth Kitley.
The New York Liberty continued their selections with Esmery Martinez from Arizona and Jessika Carter from Mississippi State. The Phoenix Mercury chose Charisma Osborne from UCLA in the third round, while international players Nastja Claessens of Belgium and Matilde Villa of Italy were also selected by the Mystics and the Atlanta Dream respectively.
The 2024 WNBA Draft not only celebrates the countless hours of hard work and dedication that these athletes have put in their entire life, but it also marks the beginning of their professional careers. As the drafted players transition from collegiate superstars to WNBA professionals, they have with them hopes of leaving a memorable mark on the sport that they love. With the anticipation of a new era in women’s basketball, Caitlin Clark and her fellow draftees stand ready to inspire future generations and bring the game of basketball to new heights. As they start this new chapter in their life, they continue their career with a lot of support from their fans who eagerly anticipate seeing them on the WNBA courts come next season.
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