Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and others make this some of the anticipated WNBA drafts lately. There are a number of impression gamers up for grabs, however their expertise is almost eclipsed by their reputation amongst basketball followers.
“Caitlin is type of in a world of her personal, however I do not know that we now have seen this sort of pleasure throughout the board,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo stated. “, Angel Reese has an enormous following. Cameron Brink has a big following of individuals, whether or not it is following them on social media or following them all through the course of their school profession.
Angel Reese’s new 3-point capturing kind may higher than Caitlin Clark
“Now we have girls coming into the draft this 12 months, who individuals are very a lot conscious of and desirous to see how their sport goes to translate at this stage.”
Clark has helped convey tens of millions of latest followers to the sport along with her signature emblem photographs and dazzling passing means. The Iowa star was a giant cause why a file 18.9 million viewers tuned in to the NCAA championship sport the place South Carolina beat the Hawkeyes.
The NCAA Division I all-time scoring chief will go first to the Indiana Fever on Monday night time when the draft takes place on the Brooklyn Academy of Music in entrance of 1,000 followers.
“That is the primary time we’ll have followers on the draft, so I believe that is going to be particular,” ESPN analyst Andraya Carter stated. “For folks watching at dwelling to see and listen to a crowd and followers and other people there, I believe it’s going to be actually thrilling.”
Whereas Clark is a lock to go first, Brink, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso have all been within the dialogue to be taken at No. 2 by Los Angeles. The Sparks additionally personal the No. 4 decide with Chicago selecting third.
“They’re foundational. They’re an unbelievable alternative for our group,” Sparks GM Raegan Pebley stated. “We undoubtedly need to see two gamers that not solely have the ability set to make an impression early, but additionally an extended runway forward of them, alternatives to develop, alternatives to, not solely be glorious in what they do, however how they impression the opposite items round them as we proceed to construct this crew.”
Dallas is fifth and Washington sixth. Minnesota, Chicago, Dallas, Connecticut, New York and Atlanta shut out the primary spherical. In all, there are three rounds and 36 picks in complete.
Listed here are a number of different tidbits for the draft:
INJURY SETBACKS
All-Individuals Mackenzie Holmes of Indiana and Elizabeth Kitley of Virginia Tech will not be capable of play within the WNBA this season due to knee accidents. Holmes stated on social media that she is having surgical procedure subsequent month.
“Right now to make sure my physique is wholesome and my enjoying profession is as lengthy and profitable as potential, I’ve determined to get the mandatory surgical procedure in Might to forestall additional points and alleviate the ache it has triggered,” she stated. “I’ve declared for the 2024 WNBA draft and pray {that a} crew honors me with a variety realizing I can be prepared for the beginning of 2025 coaching camp.”
Kitley tore the ACL in her left knee in Virginia Tech’s closing common season sport and missed all the postseason.
“Everytime you see any participant undergo an damage at any level of their profession, however particularly at that time, this particular season that Virginia Tech was having. However I believe she’s a participant that has, I am going to use this phrase ‘observe’ once more,” Pebley stated. “Simply lots of runway forward of her. She’s going to, I believe, have an important profession along with her versatility, her footwork talents. And I believe her impression across the rim.”
INVITEES
The WNBA invited 15 gamers to the draft Monday, together with Clark, Reese, Brink, Jackson, Cardoso and Kitley. The others are Aliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl of UConn; Charisma Osborne of UCLA; Celeste Taylor and Jacy Sheldon of Ohio State; Alissa Pili of Utah; Marquesha Davis of Mississippi; Dyaisha Truthful of Syracuse; and Nyadiew Puoch of Australia.
