Tag: WNBA Draft

Las Vegas Aces select Iowa star Kate Martin in 2024 WNBA draft

The Glue is headed to the WNBA.

The Glue is headed to the WNBA.

Iowa star guard Kate Martin was selected by the two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces with the 18th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 WNBA draft.

Martin averaged career highs in points (13.1) and rebounds (6.8) this past season as she operated as Caitlin Clark’s leading backcourt running mate en route to another Final Four and national championship game appearance.

The 6-foot graduate guard shot 50.7% from the field, 37.0% from 3-point range and 86.4% from the free throw line this past season with the Hawkeyes. Martin also averaged 2.3 assists per game.

“Man, a lot of emotions,” Martin said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the WNBA draft broadcast. “I’m really happy to be here. I was here to support Caitlin. But, you know, I was hoping to hear my name called and all I wanted was an opportunity and I got it. So I’m really excited.”

Martin hopes to showcase her versatility at the next level with the Aces.

“Yeah, I’m super excited for the opportunity. You know, I have a really good work ethic. But more than anything, I think I’m a very versatile player. I can score multiple levels and I can guard multiple positions, but I’m really excited to get there and I know I’m gonna give it all I got,” Martin said.

With Martin’s selection by the Las Vegas Aces, Iowa has now had five Hawkeyes selected into the WNBA since 2019. Martin joins Kathleen Doyle, Megan Gustafson, Monika Czinano, and, of course, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark.

Nineteen Hawkeyes have been drafted or signed in the WNBA since the league originated in 1997. This marks the first time since 1998 that two Hawkeyes have been drafted in the same year.

Martin will join forces with Gustafson as fellow Hawkeyes on the Aces’ roster.

The Edwardsville, Ill., native just capped a historic chapter with the Hawkeyes. Individually, Martin is the only player in Iowa history to have amassed 900 or more points, 500 or more rebounds, 400 or more assists, 120 or more steals, and 60 or more blocks in a career.

Martin joins Clark and Sam Logic as the third Hawkeye in school history to net 1,200-plus points, 700-plus rebounds, and 450-plus assists.

“I’m so proud of Kate because her dreams came true. She has been such a big part of our program over the last six years. Her efforts did not go unnoticed by her peers. I wish Kate all the success with this next step,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said.

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USC’s Kaitlyn Davis selected by New York Liberty in 2024 WNBA draft

Kaitlyn Davis played college ball in New York before coming to USC. She’ll feel right at home with the Liberty.

The USC Trojans were able to get two WNBA draft selections this year. There are only 36 draft picks. McKenzie Forbes managed to become a top-30 pick, going to the Los Angeles Sparks at No. 28. Kaitlyn Davis, a teammate of Forbes this past season with USC women’s basketball, went at pick No. 35 to the New York Liberty.

The neat part of this story is that while Forbes stays in Los Angeles, Davis goes back to New York, where she played at Columbia University before transferring to USC. Davis should feel right at home with the Liberty, where she can become a role player on a talented roster. Davis is a willing rebounder and defender. She loves doing the kinds of things which don’t show up in a box score. Davis’s hard work and high basketball IQ helped JuJu Watkins, Forbes, and the rest of the Trojans go to the Elite Eight this past season. Davis got key rebounds late in victories over Arizona and then against UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals. Those rebounds set up huge 3-point baskets which rescued the Trojans helped them get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Everyone got to see how valuable Davis was to the Women of Troy. Now we’ll see if those same winning qualities can boost the Liberty in the WNBA. We wish Kaitlyn Davis the very best in the pro game.

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USC’s McKenzie Forbes picked No. 28 by L.A. Sparks in WNBA draft

McKenzie Forbes stays in Los Angeles with the Sparks.

The USC Trojans placed multiple players in the 2024 WNBA draft. The first one off the board was McKenzie Forbes at No. 28 to the Los Angeles Sparks. Forbes was a central performer for USC women’s basketball this past season, helping JuJu Watkins and the Women of Troy reach the Elite Eight.

Lindsay Gottlieb, who coached Forbes at Cal several years ago before going to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and then returning to the college game at USC, reunited with Forbes and brought her from Harvard via the transfer portal. Forbes proved to be an essential piece of the supporting-cast puzzle for USC, becoming a dependable and trusted teammate for Watkins in her freshman season. Forbes was a veteran voice Watkins looked up to and learned from. Forbes was able to play off JuJu and get open looks for 3-pointers. When she knocked them down, USC was an extremely tough team to beat. Forbes hit very big shots in March, starring in USC’s win over Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament championship game. She also made very significant contributions to NCAA Tournament wins over Kansas in the second round and Baylor in the Sweet 16.

The Sparks are getting a smart, tough, selfless, team-first player who is willing to defend and rebound and do the dirty work at all times. When her shots aren’t falling, Forbes will still give maximum effort at the defensive end, the mark of a mature two-way basketball player. We wish Forbes the best of luck in the WNBA.

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Caitlin Clark got the coolest surprise after being drafted with a message from Luke Combs

This was a big night for Caitlin Clark and Luke Combs fans.

Caitlin Clark finally got her chance to go pro on Monday night as she was finally picked first-overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft to the Indiana Fever.

Right after that life-changing moment, Clark got a really neat surprise as her favorite music artist, country singer Luke Combs, wished her well after being drafted by Indiana.

We’re sure that Clark was stunned by such an awesome note of encouragement from someone whose music she loves, as this has to be one of the cool perks of being a sports superstar on such a monumental night.

Maybe Combs will invite Clark to a concert sometime soon?

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Angel Reese gave a very insightful answer for why she chose WNBA over another year at LSU

Angel Reese gave an incredibly resonant answer about why she chose to declare for the WNBA.

Former LSU women’s basketball superstar Angel Reese finally started her professional career on Monday night in New York City.

Reese joined the Chicago Sky as the 2024 WNBA’s seventh-overall pick, and she gave an incredibly resonant answer to why she decided to go pro instead of returning to Baton Rouge for another season.

“I want to hit rock bottom,” Reese told reporters after being drafted, per For the Win’s Meghan Hall. “I want to be a rookie again…I want to grow.”

The wisdom to prioritize your growth over your comfort is what makes professional athletes great, and it sure sounds like Reese is entering the WNBA with the perfect mindset as she joins the Sky.

Reese joining Cardoso is an exciting one-two punch for Chicago, as they are two of the most prolific players in women’s college basketball this past season.

It will be exciting to watch Reese adapt to the professional level and see just how high her ceiling is in the WNBA.

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Kamilla Cardoso had the perfect response to Angel Reese joining her on the Chicago Sky in the WNBA

Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese playing together in Chicago is going to be fantastic.

Longtime opponents Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese are set to join each other in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky.

Cardoso went third-overall in Monday night’s 2024 WNBA Draft to Chicago, as Reese went seventh-overall to the same team.

The moves set up two of the biggest stars in college basketball this past season to play with each other for the first time, and Cardoso gave a fantastic answer for what life will be like for opponents with the two on the same team.

“Nobody is going to get any rebounds on us,” Cardoso quipped during her press availability after being drafted, per For the Win’s Meghan Hall.

Hey, that’s the kind of confidence you have to love if you’re a Chicago fan, as having Cardoso and Reese on your roster has to be exciting after watching these two dominate in the women’s NCAA tournament this year.

We’ll see how these two do on the court once the upcoming WNBA season finally gets underway this summer.

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Rickea Jackson selected by Los Angeles in WNBA draft

Rickea Jackson selected No. 4 in WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson was selected by Los Angeles in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft.

Jackson was the No. 4 overall selection in the draft, which was held Monday at Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York.

The Sparks were 17-23 in 2023 and have missed the playoffs for the last three seasons. Los Angeles also had the No. 2 overall pick and selected Stanford’s Cameron Brink.

Jackson was recently named honorable mention by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

She also earned honorable mention All-America honors two times at Mississippi State.

Jackson was a first-team All-SEC standout and has received All-America honorable mention acclaims from USBWA and the Associated Press.

Jackson received all-conference honors from USA TODAY Sports and the league’s coaches. She was also a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award for a second consecutive year, recognizing the nation’s top forward.

The former Lady Vol averaged 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game during the 2023-24 season.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Jersey, Get Your Fever Gear Today

The Indiana Fever struck gold tonight, selecting superstar Caitlin Clark as the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft! Get your gear now.

The Indiana Fever struck gold tonight, selecting superstar Iowa guard Caitlin Clark as the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft! Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s reigning Naismith Player of the Year and NCAA all-time leading scorer is poised to take the WNBA by storm. The Fever faithful can’t wait to see her light up the court in an Indiana Fever jersey.

Fanatics has you covered with a wide selection of official Indiana Fever merchandise, including:

  • Caitlin Clark Jerseys: Replicate the look of your new WNBA star by grabbing a brand new Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever jersey.

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  • Fever Fan Gear: Show your Indiana Fever pride with a variety of t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more.

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  • WNBA Apparel: Celebrate the entire league with official WNBA merchandise, perfect for any basketball fan.

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Fanatics is your ultimate destination for all things WNBA. With a vast selection of officially licensed merchandise, you’ll find everything you need to cheer on your favorite team and players.

Head over to Fanatics today and snag your Caitlin Clark jersey or other Indiana Fever gear to celebrate the arrival of a new era in Indiana WNBA basketball!

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We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Jersey, Get Your Fever Gear Today

The Indiana Fever struck gold tonight, selecting superstar Iowa guard Caitlin Clark as the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft! Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s reigning Naismith Player of the Year and NCAA all-time leading scorer is poised to take …

The Indiana Fever struck gold tonight, selecting superstar Iowa guard Caitlin Clark as the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft! Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s reigning Naismith Player of the Year and NCAA all-time leading scorer is poised to take the WNBA by storm. The Fever faithful can’t wait to see her light up the court in an Indiana Fever jersey.

Fanatics has you covered with a wide selection of official Indiana Fever merchandise, including:

  • Caitlin Clark Jerseys: Replicate the look of your new WNBA star by grabbing a brand new Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever jersey.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Jerseys” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/DKxKnd”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Jerseys” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/jrdrZ0″]

  • Fever Fan Gear: Show your Indiana Fever pride with a variety of t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Indiana Fever Gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/eK7Kag”]

  • WNBA Apparel: Celebrate the entire league with official WNBA merchandise, perfect for any basketball fan.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop WNBA Apparel” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/21m1y7″]

Fanatics is your ultimate destination for all things WNBA. With a vast selection of officially licensed merchandise, you’ll find everything you need to cheer on your favorite team and players.

Head over to Fanatics today and snag your Caitlin Clark jersey or other Indiana Fever gear to celebrate the arrival of a new era in Indiana WNBA basketball!

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop all WNBA and Caitlin Clark Gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/21m1y7″]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Caitlin Clark shared an awesome moment with future teammate Aliyah Boston before the 2024 WNBA Draft

Future teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston getting to meet before the 2024 WNBA Draft was awesome.

Former Iowa women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark will officially begin her professional career once she’s drafted first by the Indiana Fever in Monday night’s 2024 WNBA Draft.

As Clark arrived on the evening’s signature orange carpet, she got to share a very special moment with her future Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston.

Clark teaming up with Boston will be one of the big storylines of the upcoming WNBA season, and it was so cool to see these two talk with each other in an interview before officially becoming teammates.

You can tell the two basketball stars are ready to take the court and shake up the power dynamics of the league.

While we’re not sure the Fever will be able to compete right away with the league’s best teams as Clark gets acclimated to the professional level, we do think Boston playing with Clark will be a lot of fun right off the bat.

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We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.