The 2024 WNBA Draft
The popularity of women’s basketball has been rapidly increasing, and this growing spotlight meant immense excitement for the 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft. This year, the Draft took place on April 15 in New York and was streamed on “ESPN”, breaking every past viewership record, drawing over 2.5 million viewers, a 307% increase from last year's draft. It was the first ticketed WNBA draft since 2016, and tickets sold out in nearly 10 minutes. Fans who couldn’t secure tickets lined the streets to see their favorite stars get drafted.
Much of the excitement for this Draft was due to the elite 2024 Draft Class, including players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink. Due to the sheer skill and talent of this year's draft players, fans were extremely excited to see where their favorite players would end up, and people online went as far as to say that this draft class was arguably the best in the history of the WNBA.
The first pick overall was, to nobody’s surprise, Caitlin Clark. In her four college years, Clark managed to shatter almost every major college basketball record, including the all-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) scoring record amongst both men and women, and the most three-pointers in a season, passing legends such as Steph Curry and Kelsey Plum to cement her role as the greatest college basketball player, male or female, in the history of the NCAA. Clark was drafted by the Indiana Fever for her infinite shooting range (and famous logo threes), incredible passes, and ability to rebound. Clark’s tremendous passing ability combined with the skills of current Fever forward Aliyah Boston, last year’s number 1 pick, has already begun exciting fans for the upcoming season.
The second overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks was Stanford University forward Cameron Brink. Brink is known as a defensive weapon, setting the record for the most blocks at Stanford University. In 2024, she was honored with the prestigious Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Sparks also went on to draft University of Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson. Jackson ended her college career phenomenally, averaging over 22 points per game, eight rebounds, and a 53% shooting ability.
The Chicago Sky drafted University of South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso as the third overall pick and Louisiana State University forward Angel Reese as the seventh overall pick. The two National Championship winners are expected to make an immense impact on the team both defensively and offensively, which would keep future opponents on their toes!
Former University of Connecticut forward Aaliyah Edwards and guard Nika Muhl were also among those drafted. With former teammates Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd cheering them on in the audience, Edwards was drafted sixth overall to the Washington Mystics, while “Secretary of Defence” Nika Muhl went to the Seattle Storm in the second round of the draft.
The popularity and interest in women’s basketball is growing immensely and rapidly, and the buzz around the 2024 WNBA draft is a testament to that. The upcoming season of women’s basketball brings even more excitement, with fans anxiously anticipating to see their favorite college stars play in the big league.
