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
Caitlin Clark – University of Iowa
Cameron Brink – University of Stanford
Kamilla Cardoso – University of South Carolina
Rickea Jackson – University of Tennessee
Jacey Sheldon – University of Ohio State
Aaliyah Edwards – University of Connecticut
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.
Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever
Cameron Brink – LA Sparks
Kamilla Cardoso – Chicago Sky
Rickea Jackson – LA Sparks
Jacey Sheldon – Dallas Wings
Aaliyah Edwards – Washington Mystics
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.”