All eyes were locked on star athletes Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Cameron Brink on April 15 as the hype for women’s basketball soared during the Women’s National Basketball Association draft in Downtown Brooklyn.
Monday night’s draft was expected to build on the momentum women’s ball has seen after the NCAA championship game brought in record-breaking views. That growing popularity had fans wrapped around Brooklyn Academy of Music, where the draft took place, craning for a view of the leading ladies as they arrived.
Adding to the excitement, the league welcomed fans to watch the draft live for the first time since 2016. Tickets sold out in just under 10 minutes, according to a WNBA spokesperson.
“To walk up and see the line wrapped around the block a full hour before the event starts is something incredible,” Grace DeNoon, a fan decked out in New York Liberty apparel, told Brooklyn Paper ahead of the draft. “We’ve all been waiting for this for a super long time.”
Colie Edison, chief growth officer for the WNBA, said her team has had their eyes on these players for a while and anticipates more generational talent in years to come. As they prepared for this year’s draft, they wanted to choose a location that combined the love of the game and culture, which they said Brooklyn captured perfectly.
“We knew this was going to be a moment like we’ve never had before,” Edison told Brooklyn Paper. “We’ve been paying really close attention to the NCAA. It’s a movement really.”
Clark, who stunned viewers this past season with her consistent long shots well beyond the three-point line, took the expected spot as the No. 1 pick. to the Indiana Fever. During her senior year, she broke multiple records including the most career points in Division I history for men and women.
Despite a record-breaking collegiate experience, Clark said there are always ways to get better at the game. She looks forward to playing alongside Aliyah Boston, the 2023 Rookie of the Year and No. 1 pick last season.
“My main focus is on basketball, that’s why I’ve had every other opportunity in my life because of the way I carry myself and the way I play the game,” Clark said in a statement after being drafted. “Going into my professional career I plan to do the exact same thing. My focus is solely on basketball, doing the best I can.”
The point guard joked about finally being done with school and getting to focus on the game.
Brink followed behind Clark as the No. 2 pick to the Los Angeles Sparks. Brink may share a Godbrother with NBA point guard Stephen Curry, but as she steps into her professional career, she’s ready to make a name for herself.
“I know people keep saying that this is a historic draft class but there were many many talented draft classes before us. I just want to give my props,” she said. “I just want to continue that legacy for younger girls.”
Kamilla Cardoso was chosen next to play for Chicago Sky. Her college coach, Dawn Staley, was in the crowd supporting her. Staley told Brooklyn Paper she selfishly hoped Cardoso went to the Los Angeles Sparks so she could play alongside a former South Carolina alum, but she would be proud no matter where Cardoso ended up.
“It’s always cool to be in the presence of young greatness because that’s what the players who are entering into this are,” Staley said. “They are young greatness.”
Cardoso will play with No. 7 pick Reese, who was also drafted to the Chicago Sky. She joked that no one would be able to get a rebound off the duo.
Reese said she has been riding a high since her college team Louisiana State University won the 2023 national championship but now, she wants to rebuild her game from the ground up.
“I want to hit rock bottom. I want to be a rookie again. I want to be knocked down by vets and I want to be able to get up and grow and be a sponge,” she said in a statement. “I’m just super excited to play with these amazing players.”
The WNBA’s 2024 season officially begins on May 14. New York Liberty, the borough’s home team, will first play some away games before their first home game against the Indiana Fever on May 18. Liberty’s newest players include No. 11 pick Marquesha Davis and Esmery Martinez and Jessika Carter, second-round picks at No. 17 and 23.
