The official WBNA basketball has a orange and white pattern unlike any other league.

On April 15 the 2024 WNBA draft took place in New York City and lived up to its extremely high expectations. This draft has been highly anticipated as this draft class is the highest the WNBA has seen in a long time. This class has had a lot of eyes on it for 2 or 3 years now. This is because the number one draft pick won multiple awards and broke what added up to 106 records throughout her collegiate career. Of course, this is none other than an Iowa native, Caitlin Clark. 

This year’s draft top 7 consisted of 

1. Caitlin Clark – University of Iowa
2. Cameron Brink – University of Stanford
3. Kamilla Cardoso – University of South Carolina
4. Rickea Jackson – University of Tennessee 
5. Jacey Sheldon – University of Ohio State
6. Aaliyah Edwards – University of Connecticut
7. Angel Reese – Louisiana State University

This draft class followed the mock draft of these top picks almost exactly. The only change in ranking and pick number was Kamilla Cardoso and Rickea Jackson, as well as Jacy Sheldon and Aaliyah Edwards. It is very difficult to tell who a team will draft, even based on the player’s ability. The Indiana Fever held the number one pick this year. They would have been foolish not to pick the number one player in America, Caitlin Clark. These draft picks not only depend on the player’s ability but what position the team needs to fill.

1. Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever 
2. Cameron Brink – LA Sparks
3. Kamilla Cardoso – Chicago Sky 
4. Rickea Jackson – LA Sparks
5. Jacey Sheldon – Dallas Wings
6. Aaliyah Edwards – Washington Mystics
7. Angel Reese – Chicago Sky 

Another Iowa women’s basketball player was drafted as well. Kate Martin was drafted as the 18th overall pick to the Las Vegas Aces. Kate Martin attended the draft to support Caitlin Clark but was excited to be drafted and continue her basketball career.

I spoke with Danielle Craig, ADM’s new Head Girls Basketball Coach to hear her thoughts on the draft and she said, “I believe in the Caitlin Clark effect, the Indiana Fever will go a long way this year. The Aces got the real steals of the draft with Dyaisha Fair and Kate Martin.”