In the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever, continuing the franchise’s success in drafting generational talent after selecting Aliyah Boston the year before. Clark’s scoring and facilitating abilities, paired with Boston’s inside presence, make for a promising future for the Fever. Celeste Taylor was also a solid second-round pick for the team. The Los Angeles Sparks made impressive moves by trading for the No. 4 pick and selecting Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, two players with potential to be elite in the league. Brink’s shot-blocking and rebounding skills, along with Jackson’s scoring and defensive abilities, make them key additions to the team as they begin their rebuild. McKenzie Forbes was also a steal for the Sparks in the third round.
The Las Vegas Aces, despite not having a first-round pick, had a solid draft focusing on fit rather than the best available players. Dyaisha Fair, an elite scorer, and Elizabeth Kitley, a 6-6 center, were strong additions to the team. Fair’s potential under coach Becky Hammon and alongside Chelsea Gray, and Kitley’s time to recover from injury and learn from veterans like A’ja Wilson and Candace Parker, make them valuable additions to the Aces. The New York Liberty’s draft choices, such as Marquesha Davis, didn’t address their need for a backup point guard, while their focus on post and forward positions left them thin in the guard position. The Atlanta Dream’s selection of three international players who are expected to stay overseas this season as draft-and-stash picks raised questions about missed opportunities to draft players who could compete for roster spots during training camp.
Overall, the WNBA Draft saw standout picks from teams like the Fever and Sparks, who secured promising players like Clark, Boston, Brink, and Jackson. The Aces also made strategic choices in selecting Fair and Kitley to enhance the team’s roster. The Liberty and Dream faced challenges in addressing their roster needs effectively, with the former lacking a backup point guard and the latter focusing on international players who won’t join the team immediately. The draft showcased the depth of talent in women’s basketball and highlighted the different approaches teams took in selecting players for their rosters. Time will tell how these picks will impact each team’s performance in the upcoming WNBA season.
