USC’s Kamilla Cardoso climbs higher as first-rounder in latest WNBA mock draft for 2024
The 2024 WNBA Draft is five months away, and there’s a lot of college basketball to be played between now and then.
But South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso has already made a positive impression on the league’s most influential characters.
ESPN listed the 6-foot-7 center as the No. 4 overall pick in its latest mock draft after having her at No. 7 the month before. The move was a result of WNBA coaches, general managers and experts saying she belongs higher up, per the ESPN report. Cardoso averaged 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in 2022-23.
The mock draft has Cardoso taken by the Seattle Storm. ESPN listed the lottery teams in order of their odds to obtain the No. 1 pick (the Indiana Fever first, then the Phoenix Mercury followed by the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm). The actual lottery order doesn’t come out until later this year. College players who are in at least their fourth year of school were included in the list, as COVID-19 waivers have extended some athlete’s windows of collegiate eligibility.
“Cardoso showed flashes last season — including in South Carolina’s Final Four loss to Iowa — of being a dominating force,” the ESPN article reads. “She also has international experience with the Brazilian national team and should be the primary target inside for the Gamecocks with (Aliyah) Boston gone. Like several other players, Kardoso could opt to stay another year, but she might be ready to start making her mark in the pro game. The Storm could use a top young point guard. But unless a guard that they really want is available, they might not pass up all the promise Cardoso shows at her size.”
Cardoso has earned multiple preseason accolades over the last few weeks. She was named to the Preseason All-SEC First Team by league media and coaches and Lisa Leslie Award Watch List given to college basketball’s top center. In South Carolina’s exhibition against Rutgers on Sunday, Cardoso led all Gamecocks with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
This story was originally published October 25, 2023 at 12:59 PM.
