Fever Ignites with Clark, Brink and Cardoso in 2024 WNBA Draft

The 2024 WNBA Draft was a night of anticipation, as the league’s top prospects eagerly awaited their fates. And when the dust settled, the Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, and Chicago Sky emerged as the biggest winners, securing the services of Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Kamilla Cardoso, respectively.

Clark, the back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year from Iowa, was the undisputed No. 1 pick, and the Fever wasted no time in snapping up the prolific scorer. With Clark joining last year’s top pick, Aliyah Boston, Indiana’s backcourt is shaping up to be a formidable force in the WNBA for years to come.

“I’m just excited to get to work and help bring a championship to Indiana,” Clark said, her trademark enthusiasm bubbling over. “Playing with Aliyah is going to be incredible, and I can’t wait to get started.”

The Sparks, meanwhile, bolstered their frontcourt by selecting Stanford’s Cameron Brink at No. 2 overall. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Brink’s shot-blocking prowess and interior presence should complement the Sparks’ existing talent nicely.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Sparks organization,” Brink said. “They have a rich history of success, and I’m ready to contribute however I can to help continue that tradition.”

Rounding out the top three picks was South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, who will join the defending champion Chicago Sky. Fresh off her second national title with the Gamecocks, Cardoso’s energy, rebounding, and defensive intensity should make her an immediate impact player for the Sky.

“Winning a championship is the ultimate goal,” Cardoso said. “And I’m excited to join a team that knows how to do just that. I can’t wait to get to work and help the Sky defend their title.”

While Clark, Brink, and Cardoso were the headliners, the draft was full of intriguing storylines. Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson joined Brink in Los Angeles, while UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards became the latest Husky to be selected in the first round, going to the Washington Mystics.

The Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury also added talented pieces in Ohio State’s Jacy Sheldon and UCLA’s Charisma Osborne, respectively, while the Atlanta Dream took a flier on Australian prospect Nyadiew Puoch in the second round.

As the night wore on and the picks kept coming, one thing became clear: the 2024 WNBA Draft class is loaded with talent, and the league’s future is incredibly bright. From marquee names like Clark, Brink, and Cardoso to lesser-known gems waiting to be unearthed, this year’s crop of draftees is sure to make an immediate impact – and set the stage for even more excitement to come.