As the all-time NCAA basketball scoring leader, Clark’s potential impact on the WNBA, despite not having worn a uniform yet, is already projected to make her the highest-paid league rookie ever. 

The 2024 WNBA Draft Class stars with Clark include Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Cameron Brink, Aaliyah Edwards, and Rickea Jackson. Reese recently signed significant endorsement deals, but Clark’s eight-year, $28 million agreement with Nike could become the foundation for players.

Shaquille O’Neal signed Reese to an NIL in October with Reebok. Could he follow up with a mega-deal for the Chicago Sky draftee? Reese will have a new nickname, “Chi Barbie,” look for her to capitalize on a new marketing effort from her representatives.

Cardoso, Edwards, and Brink will be the notable names in line for prominent endorsements before the league tips off in May.

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The 6-7 Cardoso will anchor inside the paint with scoring, rebounding, and an athletic defensive presence. The native of Brazil helped the Gamecocks win the 2023-24 NCAA National Championship with a win against No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark and Iowa.

The Sky made a bold move, trading up to the seventh spot to secure power forward Angel Reese from LSU. Reese, the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year, is a versatile player known for her exceptional defensive and rebounding skills.

But that’s not all. Reese has shown herself to be a playmaker and creates fouls from defenders, sending her to the free-throw line. Her leadership led the LSU Tigers to the 2023 National Championship, a testament to her potential and the impact she can bring to the Sky.

The tandem immediately makes Chicago one of the most formidable defensive and rebounding forces in the WBNA. Both players were overwhelmed with emotion during their post-draft interviews.

National championship head coaches Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey were in the audience watching their stars get drafted by the Sky.

Coach Weatherspoon could set a foundation with a highly competitive frontcourt that knows how to win at the highest level, sharing the spotlight in Chicago.

HOUSTON  —  The No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (36-0) are Vegas’ favorite to win the women’s college basketball national championship. However, before their head coach, Dawn Staley can lift the title trophy, she must prepare her team to face a dangerous and formidable opponent – the No. 3 North Carolina State Wolfpack (31-6).

The two squads will tangle during semifinal action at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse for a 7:00 PM ET tip-off on Friday, Apr. 5. The winner will clash with the UConn-Iowa semifinal victor.  

SOUTH CAROLINA’S TREMENDOUS RUN

South Carolina has made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Women’s Final Four. Incredibly, Staley has guided the Gamecocks to twelve straight NCAA tournaments and won two national championships in 2017 and 2022.  

Coach Staley has registered a tremendous 438-106 (80.6%) winning record during her tenure at South Carolina. Her teams have lost just eight games in the last four seasons and could eventually win the national title, going undefeated.