The league's rookie class is bringing new excitement to the game.
As WNBA training camps begin, excitement for the future of women's basketball is at an all-time high. With retirements, fresh signees, and new lineups, this season is expected to be one for the ages. Let’s take a deep dive into the training camp storylines that have been stirring the pot: rookies bringing the heat to prepare for an epic season of hoop action.
While the WNBA bid farewell to legends like Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker, it also opened its arms to new talent – including No.1 draft pick Caitlin Clark. Coming off a highlight-reel collegiate career full of record breaking moments, Clark brings a spark of energy to the Indiana Fever. Last season, Indiana’s offense was mediocre: seventh in the 12-team league in average scoring and fifth in offensive rating. With Clark, who had one the best offensive careers in collegiate history, as a new addition, the Fever aims to clinch its first playoff appearance since 2016.
With former rivals Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese joining forces, the Chicago Sky has the best duo a team could ask for and perhaps a dream team in the making. Cardoso, fresh off an NCAA title win with the South Carolina Gamecocks, is set to bring her winning spirit to the professional courts. Reese, the double-double queen from the LSU Tigers, will also lend her magic to the Windy City.
As the Las Vegas Aces gear up to chase a third consecutive championship season, they’ll get help from their newest additions, Elizabeth Kitley and Kate Martin. Kitley, a former Virginia Tech center and three-time ACC Player of the Year, is set to bring her star power to the Aces. Martin was a key player in Iowa’s incredible NCAA tournament run, producing clutch plays to help her team get to back-to-back national championship appearances. Both she and Kitley are ready to fight for roster spots with the Aces and contribute to the team’s championship mentality.
All eyes are on rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson now that they’ve joined the Los Angeles Sparks. Brink was the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, coming off an amazing season with the Stanford Cardinal where she averaged nearly 18 points and 12 rebounds and led the NCAA in blocks. Her collegiate career was nothing short of extraordinary – she earned two Pac-12 Player of the Year recognitions, the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, and the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award. Brink is undeniably one of the best players from the Pac-12; with her blend of size and versatility on the court, she’ll fit right into the Sparks’s game plan.
We can’t forget about Jackson, the former Tennessee Lady Vol who led the SEC in numerous categories and ranked among the program’s best scorers. During her college career, she averaged more than 20 points and 8 rebounds. With her ability to dominate offensively and defensively, she’ll add a dynamic edge to the Sparks’s playing style. As Jackson joins the pros, fans can expect nothing less than a jaw-dropping performance from her.
With the stage set for the 2024 WNBA season, the rookies are ready to steal the show and turn up the heat in the next chapter of the league’s history. Whether stepping into the shoes of a retiring legend, boosting the chances of a playoff contender, or fighting for a spot on the roster, each rookie brings a unique story and skill set to the game. As fans eagerly await the first tip-off, it's exciting to anticipate which rookies will rise to the occasion and continue the beautiful legacy of the WNBA.
Edited by Ella Chang
Social media content created by Daryl Batt
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