The WNBA Draft Tonight Begins a New Era

The WNBA Draft, which is going down tonight, is attracting extra consideration than ever earlier than as stars like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and Stanford’s Cameron Brink, to call a number of, who’ll seemingly be the primary three picks. Let’s entry 5 of the highest prospects within the WNBA Draft and what makes the pioneers on this new period of ladies’s basketball.

Your 2024 WNBA Draft Class 🔥🏀 pic.twitter.com/1iXwWHYKSb

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) April 15, 2024

Projected Quantity One Choose: Caitlin Clark, Iowa to Indiana Fever

What extra will be mentioned in regards to the main factors scorer in NCAA historical past, a real pioneer of the sport who has constantly exceeded expectations? She’s projected to be the No. 1 decide for the Indiana Fever. Clark’s standout qualities are her distinctive capturing skill and elite passing abilities. She’s set to affix forces with final season’s number-one decide and Rookie of the 12 months, Aaliyah Boston. With Clark’s expert passing, Boston and Clark will likely be an incredible duo for the subsequent 5-10 years. Clark and Boston have 36 of their 40 video games nationally televised, an enormous soar from one recreation final night time.

“Dream large, don’t let anyone let you know you could’t. However you’ve acquired to go on the market and earn it.”

Caitlin Clark’s message to younger women forward of tonight’s WNBA Draft 🙌

(by way of @MarchMadnessWBB)pic.twitter.com/S3WVWBwjeo

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 15, 2024

Projected Quantity Two Choose: Cameron Brink, Stanford to Los Angeles Sparks

Brink is by far the perfect frontcourt prospect on this draft. Her distinctive measurement and skill to attain in any respect three ranges have made scouts excited to see what the New Jersey native can develop into on the subsequent stage. She is an distinctive defender with good measurement and is heading probably to the Sparks to develop into the subsequent nice large participant for the group. She has the power to return in and common a double-double throughout her rookie yr.

cameron brink’s rim safety and floor protection are each phenomenal, her skill to cowl each hole and get better again to dam photographs at that top is uncanny

ought to be an outstanding defender on the W stage pic.twitter.com/K6SOF1GgM6

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) April 7, 2024

Projected Quantity Three Choose: Rickea Jackson, Tennessee to Chicago Sky

She is the perfect wing participant on this class and the Sky’s first decide within the draft. Nevertheless, with two first-round picks, it appears as if the Sky additionally has a goal in thoughts later within the first spherical. Jackson was the main scorer within the SEC, averaging twenty factors. She is a stable two-way participant that may rating in a mess of how. Jackson and her women had been the closest to beating South Carolina earlier than the projected quantity 4 decide hit a three-pointer on the buzzer to win the sport.

RICKEA VELECE MF JACKSON 😤 pic.twitter.com/yL3UgTuJDZ

— Jamalama 🧡🏀⚖️ (@MidwestMutineer) April 10, 2024

Projected Quantity 4 Choose: Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina to Los Angeles Sparks

Cameron Brink might possess a extra refined offensive talent set than the Gamecocks’ champion heart, however Kamilla Cardoso’s imposing top at 6’7″ brings a singular benefit that may’t be taught. Past her measurement, Cardoso presents much more on the skilled stage. Earlier than transferring to South Carolina, she was named the ACC Co-Defensive Participant of the 12 months at Syracuse, and he or she continued to excel by successful the SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months this season. Cardoso’s glorious timing and footwork permit her to be efficient on each ends of the court docket, proving that her influence isn’t solely depending on her bodily stature.

The participant that crushed the desires of each Iowa fan on the earth, Kamilla Cardoso #southcarolinavsIowa #IowavsSC pic.twitter.com/IFhKjAU6g2

— Ace 🦅 (@AceWDE) April 7, 2024

Projected Quantity 5 Choose Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State to Dallas Wings

Except for Caitlin Clark, the guard from Ohio State is probably going the perfect shooter within the draft. This season, she boasted a 51.4% success charge on open catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Not solely does Sheldon excel in capturing, however she can be a high-level defender. With additional coaching, their capturing abilities might develop into much more formidable. She would complement Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally completely.

jacy sheldon shot a blistering 62.8% on the rim within the halfcourt this season, solely trailing one guard prospect (quinesha lockett) in effectivity on the hoop

the contact and craft, various her stride lengths and timing, plus her glorious burst make her a stellar slashing prospect pic.twitter.com/MuCJogAe5Z

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) April 10, 2024

Honorable point out: Angel Reese, LSU (Projected seventh decide to the Chicago Sky)

The Sky traded Sika Kone and a first-round decide swap in 2026 to maneuver up a spot to pick out Reese. She can be the right pairing, with Rickea attacking and kicking within the midrange and Reese cleansing up a few of the misses as properly.