Rebecca Lobo breaks down how Caitlin Clark will influence the WNBA both on and off the court. (2:06)
A big part of getting a good grade on WNBA draft night is often in place months before, when the lottery order is decided. In the case of the 2024 draft, the Indiana Fever really couldn't mess it up after they got the first pick: Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark would give them an A-plus.
As was the case last season when the Fever also picked No. 1 and got South Carolina's Aliyah Boston, it was all smiles at Indiana headquarters Monday on draft night. Not just because Clark was officially in the fold and coach Christie Sides could already envision her passing the ball inside to Boston, last year's WNBA Rookie of the Year, and NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 pick in 2022, over and over and over.
But also because the Fever now have two of the greatest 3-point shooters in college hoops history. Clark is the NCAA record holder, having finished with 548 treys. Kelsey Mitchell, the No. 2 pick in 2018, had 497 3-pointers at Ohio State.
Between them, they compiled 7,353 points in college as the top two scorers in Big Ten history. Clark is the No. 1 scorer all time in men's and women's Division I.
"My heart is pounding really hard right now," Sides said when talking about having two perimeter scorers the caliber of Clark and Mitchell on the same team along with the young post players. "It's a coach's dream."
But the Fever aren't ESPN's only A-plus team on draft night. The Los Angeles Sparks, in need of two impact players right away, got them in Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson.
If you are looking for "bad" grades, we don't have them this year. In some past seasons, eyebrows were raised starting early in the first round. But on Monday, teams seemed to make the most of their places in the draft and the talent available. Some teams took bigger chances, especially with young talent from overseas. Some opted for specific needs and potentially bypassed a player they might regret later.
All that said, so much can happen with injuries, team chemistry and how players adjust to the being pros. But through Monday's draft, here are the grades.
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Caitlin Clark joins Holly Rowe as she reflects on her journey and expresses her emotions after being selected No. 1 overall.
Indiana Fever: A-plus
Picks:
1. Caitlin Clark, Iowa, PG
15. Celeste Taylor, Ohio State, PG
27. Leilani Correa, Florida, SG
No franchise needed the excitement Clark brings more than Indiana, which hasn't made the WNBA playoffs since 2016. Both Sides and general manager Lin Dunn said they are eager for Clark to meet all her teammates and have her personality impact the team and the community. They also said she is more than ready for what's ahead of her on the court.
"I hoping she's going to go home and get some rest for a little while. She's just been on the go," Sides said. "But I can't wait to get her in the locker room with our players. They can get to know her, know she's a fierce competitor. These guys see all the articles written and things on social media. They don't know her yet. I'm ready for that day."
In Taylor, the Fever drafted a player who does know Clark from their matchups in the Big Ten this season. Taylor played five seasons in college, at Texas, Duke and Ohio State. Her defense could help her stick on this roster.
Correa is another guard with good size and skill. But it's a numbers game, and she might not make the roster.
Cameron Brink joins Holly Rowe and shouts out the Curry family for their hand in helping her on her journey to the WNBA.
Los Angeles Sparks: A-plus
Picks:
2. Cameron Brink, Stanford, PF
4. Rickea Jackson, Tennessee, SF
28. McKenzie Forbes, USC, SF
The Sparks also needed an infusion of talent and excitement, and they went with two players who have very good pro skill sets and should be able to complement each other on the court.
Los Angeles' big decision likely came down to Brink or Kamilla Cardoso at No. 2, and the Sparks couldn't have gone wrong either way. With Brink, they have a player who can protect the rim, step out to defend on the perimeter when needed and score in a variety of ways.
Rickea Jackson is selected No. 4 overall by the L.A. Sparks in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Jackson is also a proven scorer who would have been a lottery pick last year too but opted to return for her fifth college season.
The Sparks need some pizazz and players who have the confidence to believe in a new era in L.A. Brink and Jackson can do that.
Kamilla Cardoso is selected No. 3 overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Chicago Sky: A
Picks:
3. Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina, C
7. Angel Reese, LSU, PF
13. Brynna Maxwell, Gonzaga, SG
They had their battles in the SEC, including some that got heated, but Cardoso and Reese now will join forces as a dominant rebounding duo. Under Teresa Weatherspoon, who is in her first season with the Sky, they both are likely to play a lot and help Chicago form a new identity.
Angel Reese joins Holly Rowe and shares a special moment with Kim Mulkey after being selected No. 7 overall.
Cardoso and Reese will need to expand their games offensively, but considering their talent and size, there's no reason to think they can't do that.
Maxwell is an interesting pick too, because she has been such a reliable 3-point shooter. In her Gonzaga career, she made 377-of-882 from long range (42.7%).
Aaliyah Edwards is selected No. 6 overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Washington Mystics: A-minus
Picks:
6. Aaliyah Edwards, UConn, PF
21. Kaylynne Truong, Gonzaga, PG
30. Nastja Claessens, Belgium, SF
The Mystics get such a high grade for a couple of reasons. The biggest: getting Edwards, because she projects to be a proven commodity at the exact position the Mystics need. UConn starters generally make smooth transitions to the WNBA. Edwards' toughness and resilience were constants for a Huskies team that went through the ringer with injuries the past few seasons.
Like the Sparks and the Sky, the Mystics are in a new era and need players they can build around. Edwards can be such a player.
As for Truong and Claessens, Mystics general manager Mike Thibault has shown an eye for talent over the years that others might not see. One example: He drafted Belgium's Emma Meesseman in the second round (No. 19) in 2013, and she was a key factor in the Mystics' 2019 championship.
Atlanta Dream: B-plus
Picks: 12. Nyadiew Puoch, Australia, PF 20. Isobel Borlase, Australia, PG
32. Matilde Villa, Italy, SG