The Group That "Changed The Game" | 2024 WNBA Draft Night
A generational talent, multiple stars, multiple tears - let's talk about the 2024 WNBA Draft night.
There’s no day like draft day.
Every single time I am waiting for the draft to begin that morning on my Australia time, I think this exact thought. The buzz and intrigue is something different.
The buzz was louder because of this draft class. If we’re being honest it was largely due to franchise changing talent in Caitlin Clark, but the class as a whole has made its impact already.
“This group changed the game”, Andraya Carter said as the night began to wrap up.
Indiana got a generational talent in Caitlin Clark
Is generational talent too strong? I don’t know but the hype around Caitlin Clark is pretty incredible.
The one thing that rang loudly as she prepares for her pro career is Caitlin herself making the conscious effort to stick to who she is. You can imagine the amount of interviews Clark did during the draft and to me, this was a consistent theme.
You are here because you did it your way, you played your way, why change that?
I hope she dominates the WNBA just like she did at Iowa and more.
“Be myself and have fun, the rest will take care of itself.”
Don’t sleep on Clark’s passing
Alright alright last thing on Caitlin Clark I promise. Similar to how people view Trae Young’s game, the deep 3’s often overshadow Clark’s ability to pass the rock.
“The biggest thing is my passing, I think that has been overlooked at times because of the shooting”, Clark answered on what she will bring to the WNBA.
When you watch her play this makes a ton of sense. Her passing is elite, don’t be too mesmerised by the shot-making otherwise you will miss the full beauty of her game.
Cameron Brink in Los Angeles feels like a great fit
The bright lights of LA, her god brothers being Steph and Seth Curry (interesting fact I only learned today), or the fact that Brink comes across as someone with star status in the future. Take your pick but the Sparks took theirs and I can’t help but to feel good about it.
Some sizzle is coming to Chicago
Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese, two fiery competitors who just weeks ago were getting into it as opposition members will now be suiting up for the same squad.
I don’t know how exactly it is going to look for the Sky but if I was a fan, I’d be pleased. Some excitement and attention is coming your way.
Cardoso also had one of the most emotional moments on the night, and my favourite line of the night, as she wholesomely said that a reason she is playing is “to give my family a better life”. A moment the whole arena felt, and those watching at home.
There’s some serious Australian flavour in Atlanta
Being Australian myself, it was super cool to see Nyadiew Puoch, Izzy Borlase and Jaz Shelley all get picked up in the draft.
Atlanta Dream, 12th pick, Nyadiew Puoch. Boom, first one off the board.
It was a enjoyable moment to watch as Puoch was described with “the highest upside of any international player in the draft” by the commentary team as she walked up on stage.
We, in Australia, have seen a lot of ‘Nards’ as of late so this felt extra special. She plays locally to me with the Southside Flyers (South East Melbourne, Victoria) so to see her then, to now, on that stage is a really cool thing.
Next was Izzy Borlase, who of course got selected by the Atlanta Dream as well, this time with the 20th pick. It will be great watching her progress as she has seemingly risen quickly into stardom on Australian soil.
Just to mix it up Jaz Shelley is headed to somewhere other than Atlanta, Phoenix, as she is officially part of the Mercury.
It always brings joy watching ‘locals’ make the league so both teams I will be paying attention to but in particularly Atlanta as they clearly had an eye on the WNBL this season.
I’m an instant fan, Nika Muhl
Lastly, after watching Muhl battle her behind off defending Caitlin Clark in the Final Four, I was a fan. Anyone that puts themselves in that position and more than holds their own I will have respect for. The fact that she got drafted at 14 to my Seattle Storm, well that’s a bonus isn’t it.
Nika also seems like a really likeable person based off her interviews on the night and the fact that she broke Sue Bird’s all-time assist record at UConn certainly helps her case too.