The WNBA Draft Tonight Begins a New Era

The WNBA Draft, which is taking place tonight, is attracting more attention than ever before as stars like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and Stanford’s Cameron Brink, to name a few, who’ll likely be the first three picks. Let’s access five of the top prospects in the WNBA Draft and what makes the pioneers in this new era of women’s basketball.

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

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) April 15, 2024

Projected Number One Pick: Caitlin Clark, Iowa to Indiana Fever

What more can be said about the leading points scorer in NCAA history, a true pioneer of the game who has consistently exceeded expectations? She’s projected to be the No. 1 pick for the Indiana Fever. Clark’s standout qualities are her exceptional shooting ability and elite passing skills. She’s set to join forces with last season’s number-one pick and Rookie of the Year, Aaliyah Boston. With Clark’s skilled passing, Boston and Clark will be an amazing duo for the next 5-10 years. Clark and Boston have 36 of their 40 games nationally televised, a huge jump from one game last night.

“Dream big, don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t. But you’ve got to go out there and earn it.”

Caitlin Clark’s message to young girls ahead of tonight’s WNBA Draft 🙌

(via @MarchMadnessWBB)pic.twitter.com/S3WVWBwjeo

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 15, 2024

Projected Number Two Pick: Cameron Brink, Stanford to Los Angeles Sparks

Brink is by far the best frontcourt prospect in this draft. Her unique size and ability to score at all three levels have made scouts excited to see what the New Jersey native can grow into at the next level. She is an exceptional defender with good size and is heading possibly to the Sparks to become the next great big player for the organization. She has the ability to come in and average a double-double during her rookie year. 

cameron brink's rim protection and ground coverage are both phenomenal, her ability to cover every gap and recover back to block shots at that height is uncanny

should be a phenomenal defender at the W level pic.twitter.com/K6SOF1GgM6

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) April 7, 2024

Projected Number Three Pick: Rickea Jackson, Tennessee to Chicago Sky

She is the best wing player in this class and the Sky’s first pick in the draft. However, with two first-round picks, it seems as if the Sky also has a target in mind later in the first round. Jackson was the leading scorer in the SEC, averaging twenty points. She is a solid two-way player that can score in a multitude of ways. Jackson and her girls were the closest to beating South Carolina before the projected number four pick hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win the game.

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

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

Projected Number Four Pick: Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina to Los Angeles Sparks

Cameron Brink may possess a more refined offensive skill set than the Gamecocks’ champion center, but Kamilla Cardoso’s imposing height at 6’7″ brings a unique advantage that can’t be taught. Beyond her size, Cardoso offers a lot more at the professional level. Before transferring to South Carolina, she was named the ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year at Syracuse, and she continued to excel by winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season. Cardoso’s excellent timing and footwork allow her to be effective on both ends of the court, proving that her impact isn’t solely dependent on her physical stature.

The player that crushed the dreams of every Iowa fan in the world, Kamilla Cardoso #southcarolinavsIowa #IowavsSC pic.twitter.com/IFhKjAU6g2

— Ace 🦅 (@AceWDE) April 7, 2024

Projected Number Five Pick Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State to Dallas Wings

Aside from Caitlin Clark, the guard from Ohio State is likely the best shooter in the draft. This season, she boasted a 51.4% success rate on open catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Not only does Sheldon excel in shooting, but she is also a high-level defender. With further training, their shooting skills could become even more formidable. She would complement Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally perfectly.

jacy sheldon shot a blistering 62.8% at the rim in the halfcourt this season, only trailing one guard prospect (quinesha lockett) in efficiency at the hoop

the touch and craft, varying her stride lengths and timing, plus her excellent burst make her a stellar slashing prospect pic.twitter.com/MuCJogAe5Z

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) April 10, 2024

Honorable mention: Angel Reese, LSU (Projected seventh pick to the Chicago Sky)

The Sky traded Sika Kone and a first-round pick swap in 2026 to move up a spot to select Reese. She would be the perfect pairing, with Rickea attacking and kicking in the midrange and Reese cleaning up some of the misses as well.

Angel Reese x Cameron Brink @wnba draft pic.twitter.com/aXYgV1hQWs

— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) April 15, 2024