Tyrese Haliburton, Los Angeles Lakers lead reactions to WNBA draft

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.

https://twitter.com/KennyKennyMoe3/status/1780019650979414093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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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://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1780048634794705095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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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.

https://twitter.com/dawnstaley/status/1780027792085668145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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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.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1780025144599314500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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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.