The increasing popularity of women’s sports, notably the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the upcoming 2024 WNBA season is evidence of the strides made towards gender equality. However, significant work remains to ensure female athletes receive the same recognition, opportunities, and compensation as their male counterparts. This is an important issue that requires ongoing attention and advocacy.
The upcoming 2024 WNBA season has generated considerable excitement among experts and fans due to the expected arrival of several highly talented players, including Caitlyn Clark. Clark’s impressive college performance, where she broke numerous scoring and record-keeping records, has garnered attention from the basketball community.
First round pick
The Indiana Fever, currently holding the first pick in the upcoming Draft, aims to acquire another outstanding player like Clark on Monday, April 15, who is anticipated to be chosen as the team’s top pick. Last year, the team had Aliyah Boston as their previous No. 1 selection. Other teams, such as the Los Angeles Sparks, also seek to make significant picks during the Draft.
Other notable players are also in the spotlight, such as Kamila Cardoso, a Brazilian-born athlete who played a crucial role in leading South Carolina to its third title this past weekend. Cameron Brick, known for her exceptional defensive skills, also led Sanford to its third title in 2021. Angel Reese, the NCAA Champion in 2023, has also faced off against Clark in back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Clark’s potential presence on a team like the Indiana Fever, who holds the number one draft pick, is expected to be a game-changer and could attract many fans to the stands. The upcoming season will see the Fever playing 36 out of 40 games on national TV, the highest number for the franchise in their 25th regular season.
Indiana Fever, building on the strength of last year
Last year, the Fever made significant additions to their team, including Aaliyah Boston, Grace Berger, and Victaria Saxon, joining forces with Kelsey Mitchell, a former star from Ohio State University. With Mitchell averaging 24.5 points per game in college and now 16.5 points per game in the WNBA and the addition of Clark, who averages 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, the team’s performance is expected to improve significantly. With these players leading the team, the Fever may even lead the WNBA in points per game, and their assist ratio will undoubtedly increase significantly.
This excitement and anticipation are unprecedented and a testament to women’s basketball’s growing popularity and recognition.
Top prospects
The WNBA Draft, presented by State Farm, is scheduled for Monday, April, and will be an exciting event with a talented group of prospects in attendance. The top prospects, including Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Stanford’s Cameron Brink, and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, will showcase their skills and unique fashion styles on the iconic “Orange Carpet” before the Draft begins.
Months before the Draft, teams scout potential players from college programs, international leagues, and high school. Factors such as a player’s skills, statistics, and potential for development are all considered when selecting players. The WNBA was founded in 1996 and has since grown in popularity and recognition. The league will also see an increase in talented and skilled players, such as Aaliyah Edwards, Dyaisha Fair, Elizabeth Kitley, Nika Muhl, Nyadiwe Puoch, and Jacy Sheldon, all expected to help raise the league’s level of competition. The Draft is crucial to the WNBA’s growth and development, as teams carefully select the best players to join their teams and contribute to the league’s success.
Viewing the event
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN, and fans can expect exclusive coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can also catch the highly anticipated event on the ESPN App, ensuring they can follow along with all the action.
As the draft approaches, excitement is building for the league’s future as these talented prospects prepare to make their mark in the WNBA. Stay tuned for all the action on April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. For more information on the draft prospects and team updates, access in-depth coverage on the WNBA social channels, the WNBA App, and WNBA.com, with features such as “Phenom Files” and draft profiles on all 12 WNBA teams.
Okon Ekpenyong is a multi-talented writer, journalist, and entrepreneur.
He regularly contributes to the New Americans magazine and covers college basketball for Sportzkelz media. In addition, he is the founder of Okiethedreamer Productions, a company that promotes new Americans and local businesses through community writing and referrals.
With his diverse skills and passions, Okon is dedicated to uplifting and showcasing the voices and stories of marginalized communities.
