U.S. Sports

In the recent month of April, the South Carolina Gamecocks won the NCAA Championship. Although this is not their first year doing so, this is one of the most important. In the last two years, women’s college basketball and specifically college basketball has majorly improved. As expected, women's athletics will continue to grow-- especially basketball.

Many players have brought their own name and game up, including the Iowa Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark, the LSU Tigers’ Angel Reese, and the South Carolina Gamecocks’ Kamilla Cardoso, who all will be playing in the WNBA next season. Some players did get a little more shine than others. When Clark became a leading scorer, all eyes were on her, and all headlines mentioned her name. Even when the Gamecocks completed the championship, the headlines were about Clark. 

In my opinion, Clark is stealing the shine of many players. Although she is an incredible athlete, lots of other players should receive the same treatment and recognition she does. I think that all the articles should have been about the Gamecocks if they won the championship. I agree that maybe the same treatment isn’t equal if she is better, but these women are not on much of a different level. Clark does receive a lot of hate for this which she doesn’t deserve because she cannot control who advertises her name or writes an article on her. She just plays the game and whatever happens, happens. 

Reese and Clark have seemed to have problems with each other on the court a few times before. Their “arguments” started last year in the 2023 NCAA championship when Reese showed off her ring finger in Clark’s face, claiming that the Tigers would win the game. The LSU Tigers did end up winning. Many say that they like to go at it because of Clark's attitude and complaining and Reeses’ determination. During that game, a lot happened between the Tigers and Hawkeyes. Those situations could have been handled differently and better, but I think it’s just the players way of performing. Most of the players mentioned will move on to play in the WNBA, and even have the chance of playing together.

On Monday, April 15th, the WNBA Draft was held in Brooklyn, NY at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The WNBA draft was not just a selection process, it was one of the best drafts and had a great draft class. Many phenomenal young women such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Cameron Brink were drafted. 

Caitlin Clark was chosen as the round one, number one draft pick. Being a number one in the draft is a very big deal in the basketball world. Clark finished her college career with a total of 3,951 points. Clark is the first Division-I player to record 3,700+ points, 1,000+ assists, and 850+ rebounds in a career. She also led her conference in points and assists. Many may say that Clark changed the game for women’s college basketball and that she is going to have a very successful career.

Leaving Stanford University for the Los Angeles Sparks is 5-star, 22 year old forward, Cameron Brink. Brink was the No.2 overall draft pick. Brink put up 17.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. The Sparks are placed 4 in the Western Conference. Standing at 6’4, Brink was able to do many things on the court. She's proven to be a great defensive commodity and an excellent shot blocker on the floor. Brink is also capable of scoring in bunches. For her career, Brink nearly averaged a double-double.

Another well known player, Angel Reese was drafted to Chicago Sky, along with Kamilla Cardoso. Reese was the 7th overall pick, while Cardoso was picked 3rd. Both Cardoso and Reese spent their careers battling against each other and soon they will be playing together in Chicago. Reese is actually thrilled to play with Cardoso. She says, “I’m just so excited I get to play with Kamilla.” In the second round, Chicago Sky chose 6 foot guard Bryanna Maxwell from Gonzaga. Chicago is expected to do great in the season.

During the draft, folks were introduced to many unknown and unrecognized players. A forward from Tennessee who averages 17.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, was drafted fourth. Rickea Jackson comes from Detroit, Michigan and Tennessee University. Jackson was drafted to the Los Angeles Sparks. Personally, I was introduced to Charisma Osborne, a 5’9 guard that averages 15.9 ppg. Osborne comes from UCLA, and she is proven to be an excellent player with her ability to shoot far range threes, and also finish at the rim. Osborne can get through defense. Osborne will go to Phoenix Mercury as a round three first pick. 

Many draft classes have been great, but sources say that this has been one of the best. These players are stacked with skills and they will definitely go far in the basketball world. In the future the 2025 and 2027 draft class is expected to be very good. Future Hall of Famers, NBA players, and WNBA players will potentially come from those classes, even here in Kentucky. 

The WNBA draft has come a long way since it first started, and women's sports are getting more recognition. This is great, and everyone is waiting to see what comes along for women athletes.