From College Stars to WNBA Rookies: Mapping Out the Futures of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cardoso

There was more star power in college basketball in 2023–24 than in previous years, and WNBA fans may rejoice since several of those players will soon return to the court. A number of celebrities who dominated the national debate throughout the college season will be showcasing their skills on the professional stage at the 2024 WNBA Draft, which takes place on Monday.

Every year, it astounds me how quickly college students make this shift. In nine days, Caitlin Clark will go from planning South Carolina’s next game to playing alongside legendary former Gamecock Aliyah Boston. The WNBA Draft Combine is not even scheduled in time, therefore some team executives are operating with insufficient stats on wingspan and height.

Because of this, players who were able to produce in college have always been given preference in the WNBA Draft above those who possess the necessary theoretical skills to thrive at the next level, in contrast to their NBA counterpart. We can predict how a player’s effect would change in a different team environment, but after four years, it becomes difficult to take a chance on someone who does not have a strong resume.

WHO WILL BE NEXT?

Draft Day. April 15th 2024. pic.twitter.com/D9vHv0TwdD

— WNBA (@WNBA) April 9, 2024

For fans of the collegiate game, the draft is a fantastic way to get into the WNBA because of this. One of the GOATs will be among the first to arrive among the finest players.

Caitlin Clark | 6-0 guard | Iowa

The first pick does not cause any drama, just like it did not last season. Boston was the clear favorite to be chosen first overall going into her senior year, and she strengthened her case in her last year at South Carolina. Clark followed suit at Iowa, and the two will now play together for the Fever. In every high-stakes competition, she faced the moment and accepted every challenge.

Clark produces more than anyone else at the collegiate level. She is the all-time best scorer in college basketball, an excellent distributor who finds teammates on the break or at unexpected angles in the half court, and a dead-eye shooter from long range. Her potential as a lone scorer and shot creator is huge, and she will provide value right now as a distributor and spacer.

Clark also immediately improves the financial position of any franchise. Her influence on TV viewership has been remarkable, especially for ESPN’s pre- and post-tournament broadcasts during the NCAA Tournament. Throughout her inaugural season, she is already scheduled to perform to crowded houses, something that has not happened for recent Fever incarnations.

Cameron Brink | 6-4 forward/center | Stanford

Although Brink’s popularity has declined over the past month, it is still enough to keep her in the second round. She can remain with guards or big men, cover a lot of ground, and not only contests shots but also stops them from being made. She is still an excellent defensive player. Her shooting form indicates that she will be able to play beyond the paint because a power forward is the optimal position for her frame.

Additionally, Brink should gain a lot from playing alongside superior guards because Stanford’s perimeter play frequently let her down. Her life will be made much simpler by guards who can defend at the basket and apply rim pressure, allowing her to finish as a roller and defend closer to the hoop. Can Brink control her foul rate? is the main question. However, it is possible that letting her play through foul difficulties will encourage her to develop healthier behaviors.

Rickea Jackson | 6-2 forward | Tennessee

Jackson played in perhaps the hardest conference in the nation, averaging roughly 20 points and eight rebounds every game. In her final collegiate game against NC State, she dropped 33 and 10. She is an unstoppable shot creator against the finest athletes. Even if she still needs to improve her worth off the ball, she is physically prepared to play in the WNBA and will be able to score right away.

Regarding Jackson’s consistency and an inexplicable ban in 2022–2023—there are certain concerns. Tennessee underperformed in comparison to its talent as well (maybe due to the departure of coach Kellie Harper). However, her skill on the court far outweighs those off-court worries. In order to rebuild, the Sky need all skill they can acquire.

4. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle)

Kamilla Cardoso | 6-7 center | South Carolina

One may argue that Cardoso will emerge as this class’s best major player in the end. She is a fluid athlete who has not experienced the same foul problems as her Stanford opponent, and she is three inches taller than Brink. This season, she served as the center of attention for everything South Carolina did. Because of her ability to rebound offensively and catch anything, she serves as a safety valve for the offense. As a defensive backstop, she gives guards room to push because she is a shot blocker behind them.

Due to her rapid passing out of doubles and her work on the glass, Cardoso, a post scorer, has not touched the surface of her own offensive potential. Cardoso will need to get more fit because the defensive three-second rule will change how she lines up defensively. However, it is encouraging to see how much Cardoso progressed even in her final season, given how much more growth she still has left in her.

Jacy Sheldon | 5-10 guard | Ohio State

Georgia Amoore is no longer an option at point guard, therefore Sheldon is the best guard Dallas has behind Clark. He should provide some defense without interfering with the Wings’ spacing. Knowing that the trees—Teaira McCowan, Kalani Brown, and Natasha Howard—are waiting behind her inside, Sheldon will be free to play rough on the outside. Although Sheldon is not built to be a lead guard, Dallas still needs a two-way guard to complement Arike Ogunbowale, and her size will allow that backcourt to be effective defensively.

Aaliyah Edwards | 6-3 forward/center | UConn

After appearing in three Final Fours in four seasons at UConn, Edwards may have thought he would join a team that was ready to win right away, but maybe having a chance to take a look around the “studio,” so to speak, could be beneficial. Edwards’ ability to play within herself is one of her strongest qualities, yet she usually stays within 15 feet of the basket. She will need to be a power forward at her stature as a professional, extend her shooting range, and play more perimeter defense. The league’s general managers are raving about Edwards’ work ethic, IQ, and competitiveness. Ideally, she can use this runway with the Mystics to increase her ceiling because she has a high floor.

Angel Reese | 6-3 forward/center | LSU

If there is one thing Reese brings to the table, it is rebounding; the Lynx were among the league’s worst rebounding teams in 2023. Reese would be a good match in Minnesota since the Lynx have a lot of perimeter creativity and big men who can play outside the basket, giving Reese some space to operate in the middle. Under head coach Cheryl Reeve, she plays hard on both ends of the court, which should give her minutes.

8. Chicago Sky (from Atlanta via L.A.)

Nyadiew Puoch | 6-3 forward | Southside Flyers (Australia)

Given that they need to fill a number of gaps and have one player signed past this season, the Sky should take some major risks in this selection. An athletic 19-year-old winger would seem to be a decent place to start. Puoch, a superb defender who can play several positions, has already faced WNBA players in the WNBL. She needs assistance honing her jump shot and making offensive decisions, which is why Chicago brought in Jeff Pagliocca as general manager, who has experience with player development.

9. Dallas Wings

Carla Leite | 5-9 guard | Tarbes (France)

Due to their roster shortage, the Dallas Wings will probably only be able to retain one first-round pick on their 2024 squad, so a draft-and-stash strategy makes sense at No. 9. Despite their penchant for big men (and the possibility that Elizabeth Kitley could be a stash after tearing her ACL in March), the bet here is that the Wings go small because their frontcourt cupboard is already stocked, particularly with Stephanie Soares set to make her WNBA debut this season. As a result, Dallas can bolster its backcourt with one of the best young guards in Europe, Leite, who at 19 years old, is already a formidable scorer who can not be stopped on her way to the hoop

Alissa Pili | 6-2 forward | Utah

This is the same as the previous mock draft. There are not any pressing needs for Connecticut, and none that can be addressed at this stage of the draft. The Sun can afford to be more strategic and select the best player available, ideally someone who can score from all over the floor. This is an excellent starting point for Pili, who will need to improve his defense skills or just put in more work in that area if he wants to play in Connecticut.

11. New York Liberty

Nika Mühl | 5-10 guard | UConn

I apologize; until I saw Mühl in person, I was unaware of how remarkable her defensive skills were. Because of her strength and toughness, she really messes with the opposing ballhandlers, throwing JuJu Watkins and Caitlin Clark off rhythm. The Liberty need to strengthen their defensive backcourt, and Mühl is accustomed to handling the most difficult tasks. In her final season, she shot 42.6 percent on catch-and-shoot jumpers, demonstrating her ability to hit spot-ups and pass the ball well. With Mühl on the floor in 2023–24, UConn’s offensive output increased by 15.2 points per 100 possessions, however that was a weaker aspect of her game. Although Mühl’s entire package won out, Celeste Taylor’s defensive skills kept her in the running.

12. Atlanta Dream (from Las Vegas via L.A.)

Charisma Osborne | 5-9 guard | UCLA

Shaylee Gonzales of Texas, a capable secondary playmaker with the ability to defend secondary options and make 3-pointers, almost made me go to this position. She shares Charisma Osborne’s dimensions as well. In the end, I continued to support the UCLA guard due of her physical advantages, which appear to be a top concern in Atlanta. Osborne is a skilled passer, but unless she improves her jump shot and turns into a knockdown spot-up shooter, she still needs to learn how to be a starting point guard. She is still a strong defender right now, capable of handling the most difficult perimeter assignments, and she has the physical makeup of a WNBA player.

Celeste Taylor of Ohio State, Taiyanna Jackson of Kansas, and Shaylee Gonzales of Texas are also being considered.