WNBA draft complete results: Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark goes first overall
It's official, the all-time career points leader in Division I history - men's or women's - was selected with the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever.
Basketball
Caitlin Clark is now officially a member of the Indiana Fever as the collegiate superstar was drafted with the first overall pick in the WNBA draft on Monday (15 April) evening in New York. Among the 36 players drafted, eight were from overseas, led by Kamilla Cardoso from Brazil, who was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the third pick.
How will the picks fit with their new teams?
1. Indiana Fever drafted Caitlin Clark, Iowa
There wasn’t much suspense with this pick, but that didn’t make the moment any less special. Clark is an incredible scorer, and is also a playmaker who can set up her teammates with beautiful passes. Now, she will get to send those passes to Aliyah Boston, last year’s Rookie of the Year. Both Clark and Boston are in USA Basketball’s pool of players who can be picked to the U.S. team headed to Paris 2024.
2. Los Angeles Sparks drafted Cameron Brink, Stanford
At 6-foot-4 (1.93m), Brink is going to be a player who can contribute immediately to the rebuilding Los Angeles team. She can score and rebound, and uses her length to own the paint. She has a versatile game and was part of the 2023 3x3 U.S. team who won the FIBA World Cup.
3. Chicago Sky drafted Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
Speaking of people who can own the post, Cardoso was named the 2024 Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player because of how she made a difference as South Carolina went undefeated and won the national championship this year.
4. Los Angeles Sparks drafted Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
Joining Brink in Los Angeles will be Jackson, someone who can play different positions easily. She scored 20.2 points and grabbed 8.2 rebounds per game while playing with the Lady Volunteers, and will be able to mesh well into the offense set by Sparks coach Curt Miller.
5. Dallas Wings drafted Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
Sheldon is, quite simply, a bucket. She can score from the perimeter, inside the paint and she can push the pace with breakaway speed. Teaming up with Wings’ all-star Arike Ogunbowale, Sheldon will give the Wings lots of options on offense.
6. Washington Mystics drafted Aaliyah Edwards, UConn
Washington picked an Olympian, as Edwards was on Canada’s Tokyo 2020 team. Her teams at UConn dealt with so many injuries, and Edwards was the Huskies’ most consistent player throughout her tenure in Connecticut. She will bring that steady presence to a young team in Washington.
7. Chicago Sky drafted Angel Reese, LSU
Chicago has a new coach in former WNBA great Teresa Weatherspoon, and Reese is a perfect fit for Weatherspoon. She is a relentless defender, and can also score. Reese also brings a big personality to a Chicago team in search of a star and identity.
8. Minnesota Lynx drafted Alissa Pili, Utah
Though she’s not as tall as other post players, Pili’s skill in the post cannot be overlooked. She can score in the post – averaging 16.9 points per game – but what she is really good at is bullying opponents in the paint.
9. Dallas Wings drafted Carla Leite, France
With Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally on the team, you want someone who can pass. Playing in French leagues, Leite has shown she can get the teammates the ball in fun ways.
10. Connecticut Sun drafted Leila Lacan, France
With a strong core returning to make another run at a WNBA title, the Sun could use some speed to lead fast breaks. Lacan’s experience will help her blend in with her All-Star teammates Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonnar and Brionna Jones.
11. New York Liberty drafted Marquesha Davis, Mississippi
The Liberty went to the WNBA Finals in 2023 and are returning their starting five. This means they can take a player like Davis, whose excellent athleticism can be channeled into becoming a great WNBA player over time.
12. Atlanta Dream drafted Nyadiew Puoch, Australia
The final pick of the first round was another international player. Puoch brings height and a long wingspan. She’s just 19, and has room to grow into being a great player.
Second Round
13. Chicago Sky — Brynna Maxwell, Gonzaga
14. Seattle Storm — Nika Mühl, UConn
15. Indiana Fever — Celeste Taylor, Ohio State
16. Las Vegas Aces — Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse
17. New York Liberty — Esmery Martinez, Arizona
18. Las Vegas Aces — Kate Martin, Iowa
19. Connecticut Sun — Taiyanna Jackson, Kansas
20. Atlanta Dream — Isobel Borlase, Australia
21. Washington Mystics — Kaylynne Truong, Gonzaga
22. Connecticut Sun — Helena Pueyo, Arizona
23. New York Liberty — Jessika Carter, Mississippi State
24. Las Vegas Aces — Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Third Round
25. Phoenix Mercury — Charisma Osborne, UCLA
26. Seattle Storm — Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
27. Indiana Fever — Leliani Correa, St. John’s
28. Los Angeles Sparks — McKenzie Forbes, USC
29. Phoenix Mercury — Jaz Shelley, Nebraska
30. Washington Mystics — Nastja Claessens, Belgium
31. Minnesota Lynx — Kiki Jefferson, Louisville
32. Atlanta Dream — Matilde Villa, Italy
33. Dallas Wings — Ashley Owusu, Penn State
34. Connecticut Sun — Abbey Hsu, Columbia
35. New York Liberty — Kaitlyn Davis, USC
36. Las Vegas Aces — Angel Jackson, Jackson State