The WNBA draft took place in Brooklyn on Monday night, with a number of top prospects in women’s college basketball learning their next destinations.
After an orange carpet ceremony where players showed off their fashion, the draft itself officially confirmed the new teams for a number of marquee stars.
Round 1, Pick No. 1, Caitlin Clark
One of the worst-kept secrets in the sports world was confirmed early, as the Indiana Fever selected Clark with the first overall pick. The star guard leaves college as the all-time NCAA leader in scoring and averaged 31.6 points, 8.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game for her senior campaign. Clark also led the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA tournament final the past two years.
Social media in the city of Indianapolis was quick to react to the news of Clark’s selection, with players and teams from Indiana’s capital city chiming in with their support.
Glad we’re finally on the same side!🤣 Congrats and welcome to the city!! @CaitlinClark22
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) April 15, 2024
welcome to Indiana, Caitlin Clark 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Igg6pySIgz
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2024
Erica Wheeler, Maya Caldwell and Lexie Hull react to Caitlin Clark being selected No. 1 overall at our WNBA Draft Party 🥳
they had those @CaitlinClark22 jerseys ready 😂 pic.twitter.com/yoShRe1q8C
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 16, 2024
CC in the Circle City.
Welcome to Indy, @CaitlinClark22! pic.twitter.com/YvAk6SkEjh
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 15, 2024
let’s go 22, huge congrats – I love this for Indy🔥🔥🔥
— Kenny Moore II (@KennyKennyMoe3) April 15, 2024
Round 1, Pick No. 2, Cameron Brink
The Los Angeles Sparks picked Brink with the second pick in the draft, keeping the Stanford Cardinal star in California. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged nearly 12 rebounds per game in 2023-24. The Los Angeles Lakers and Seth Curry expressed excitement with Brink making the journey from the Bay Area to the City of Angels. Seth Curry’s mother, Sonya Curry, is Brink’s godmother.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/mX3xolWtyk
— Seth Curry (@sdotcurry) April 15, 2024
Welcome to LA, @cameronbrink22!
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 15, 2024
At my LA Sparks WNBA Draft Party with some of our current players, Zia Cooke, Lexie Brown, Aari McDonald, and Rae Burrell! I’m truly excited with our picks of Cameron Brink at #2 and Rickea Jackson at #4! I want to shout out Sparks GM Raegan Pebley, Head Coach Curt Miller, and… pic.twitter.com/sNKmTXunph
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 16, 2024
Round 1, Pick No. 3, Kamilla Cardoso
The third overall pick saw the Chicago Sky select Cardoso, who made the trip to New York fresh off a national championship parade with her South Carolina Gamecocks. The Brazilian center put forth a 15-point, 17-rebound performance in the Gamecocks’ title game win over Iowa.
Dwyane Wade and Aliyah Boston were among the notable figures to comment on the Sky’s latest addition.
The National Champion, @Kamillascsilva at pick 3! Look forward to following your career in Sky Town! Let’s go to work @chicagosky 🫡🫡 Congrats! #WNBADraft https://t.co/sJWsSHG7fl
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 16, 2024
👀🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/kv5FXyW1mZ
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 16, 2024
Coach Staley produces Pros‼️‼️ no question about it
— Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) April 16, 2024
The proud I feel…..my cup runneth over for @Kamillascsilva and family. @GamecockWBB thank you for showing what real love feels like!! We have another jersey to get! Love up!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) April 16, 2024
Los Angeles Sparks
Round 1, Pick No. 4, Rickea Jackson
Tennessee Lady Volunteers standout Jackson also landed with the Sparks, with Los Angeles owning two of the draft’s first five selections. Jackson entered the draft on the back of an impressive final collegiate showing, scoring 33 points and adding 10 rebounds in a loss to North Carolina State.
The Lakers once again took to social media to show support for the fourth overall pick.
Let’s gooooooo!
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 16, 2024
Chicago Sky
Round 1, Pick No. 7, Angel Reese
On the board again, the Sky took LSU Tigers star Reese, who averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds last season. Reese averaged a double-double in three of her four collegiate seasons and led the Tigers to a national championship in 2023. Chicago native Wade, who joined the ownership group of the franchise last July, shared his thoughts on Reese and the Sky’s two draft picks.
The Bayou Barbie in Sky Town! Congratulations, @Reese10Angel!
Let’s bring that B-More intensity to the @chicagosky 🫡🔥 #WNBADraft https://t.co/YGAI45gGg5
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 16, 2024
The foundation is set. Welcome Kamilla Cardoso x Angel Reese @chicagosky @WNBA
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 16, 2024