Follow Athleticismlive coverage of 2024 WNBA Draft.
Caitlin Clark — the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft on Monday — wasn’t the only star taken off the board early.
The Chicago Sky selected LSU’s Angel Reese at No. 7 after selecting South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso at No. 3. The Los Angeles Sparks, meanwhile, have stacked their roster with Stanford’s Cameron Brink at No. 2 and Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson at No. 4.
Here is the list of first-round picks:
- Caitlin Clark, G, Iowa — Indiana Fever
- Cameron Brink, F, Stanford — Los Angeles Sparks
- Kamilla Cardoso, C, South Carolina – Chicago Sky (via Phoenix Mercury)
- Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee – Los Angeles Sparks (via Seattle Storm)
- Jacy Sheldon, G, Ohio State – Dallas Wings, (via Chicago Sky)
- Aaliyah Edwards, F, UConn — Washington Mystics
- Angel Reese, F, LSU – Chicago Sky (via Minnesota Lynx)
- Alissa Pili, F, Utah – Minnesota Lynx (via Atlanta Dream)
- Carla Leite, G, Tarbes (France) — Dallas Wings
- Leila Lacan, G, Angers (France) — Connecticut Sun
- Marquesha Davis, G, Ole Miss — New York Liberty
- Southside Flyers (Australia) – Atlanta Dream (via Las Vegas Aces)
The results of the second and third rounds can be viewed here.
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What Brink brings to the Sparks
Brink, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, could be a vital piece for the Sparks as they restructure their roster. A 6-foot-4 power forward, Brink brings versatility with his ability to defend guards or bigs. She can also protect inside, having led the nation with 3.6 blocks per game. She led the league in career rebounds and blocks. She will have to work on reducing her mistakes and the WNBA.
“I fell in love with the game just being here in New York,” Brink said on ESPN. “I’m looking forward to a new challenge and I’m ready to get to work.” — Sabreena Merchant, women’s basketball editor
Scouting report on Cardoso
Cardoso’s meteoric rise continued when she was ranked third by the Chicago Sky. The 6-foot-7 center from South Carolina was Sixth Woman of the Year as a junior and, after a strong senior season, became a lottery pick.
She has the potential to dominate as an offensive rebounder and scorer, as well as a defensive scorer. The Sky could make him an important centerpiece as they only have one player under contract after this season. — Merchant
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Why Jackson fits Los Angeles
Jackson belongs in Los Angeles. The only rookie to change costumes between the orange carpet and her moment on stage, Jackson is built for the bright lights. As she told ESPN’s Holly Rowe, “(Sparks fans) are just going to fall in love with my personality.”
Jackson was highly regarded by WNBA general managers for her prowess in Tennessee, and the Sparks clearly recognized that with the fourth pick. She accumulates points in groups and can do it in different ways. LA has its defensive anchor in Brink and, now, a pure bucket collector in Jackson. — Merchant
How Sheldon can raise Dallas
Dallas has selected a guard with the top seven picks each of the last five years, so Sheldon was no surprise. Sheldon is a prototype 3-D guard who can play immediately alongside Arike Ogunbowale as the Wings attempt to advance deeper into the WNBA playoffs. — Merchant
Edwards to Mystics gives him a chance to grow
Edwards might have hoped to land on a team ready to win immediately after making three Final Fours in four seasons at UConn, but perhaps having the opportunity to explore the studio space, so to speak, will be useful. One of Edwards’ best traits is that she plays within herself, but it’s mostly within 15 feet of the basket. As a professional, she will need to be a power forward at her size, and she will need to widen her range and defend more on the perimeter. General managers around the league have raved about Edwards’ IQ, competitiveness and work ethic. She has a high floor and can ideally use this track with the Mystics to raise her ceiling. — Merchant
How Reese’s fills a need in Chicago
The Sky took action on Sunday, trading a pretty penny to put themselves in position to sign Reese, and the board worked in their favor. The “Bayou Barbie” is heading towards Chicago. It’s hard to think of a better duo than Reese and Teresa Weatherspoon, and Sky has filled its rebounding needs considerably with Reese and Cardoso. — Merchant
.@Reese10Angemeet Skytown
Skytown, meet Angel Reese pic.twitter.com/X55hUFCGMo
– Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 16, 2024
Pili’s talent appreciated by Minnesota
Pili is the most unique prospect in this draft, and therefore one of the most difficult to identify in the mock draft process due to the specificity of his skill set. But the Lynx have always valued college production, regardless of how those players are theoretically supposed to adapt to the next level — taking talent and making it work. This is what should happen to Pili, Minnesota. — Merchant
Is Leite the point guard of the future in Dallas?
Our first international in this year’s draft will be heading to Dallas, where the Wings likely won’t be able to field two first-rounders due to their players under contract. Leite is only 19 years old and could be Dallas’ point guard of the future, with an emphasis on the future, since she won’t be coming in 2024. — Merchant
Lacan’s WNBA Comparison
The French leader’s race continues. Lacan is a tall, strong guard, and ESPN’s Andraya Carter compared her to Tiffany Hayes, who just started for the Connecticut Sun last season before retiring from the WNBA. Lacan excelled at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023 and will immediately have the opportunity to play high-stakes matches on a Sun team expected to contend.
Liberty strengthens its defense with Davis
It was the first real surprise of the first round, although perhaps it shouldn’t have been once Davis received an invitation to the green room. The New York Liberty needs a perimeter defense, and Davis learned from one of the best defensive coaches in the country under Yolett McPhee-McCuin at Ole Miss. Merchant
Puoch has three international players selected in the first round
One more international player to close out the first round, as the Atlanta Dream adds another athletic wing to its roster. Puoch played for one of the best teams in the WNBL and competed against WNBA talent, even at the age of 19, preparing her to compete at that level.
Required reading
(Photo by Angel Reese: Brad Penner / USA Today)