Ace's Eye Third-Straight Championship, Anticipated Debuts Highlight WNBA Season Preview
The 2024 WNBA regular season is on the cusp of a new era in women's basketball, following a jump start 2022 campaign that saw viewership and ratings skyrocket from seasons prior. With polarizing newcomers and NCAA Women’s March Madness standouts Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso set to hit center stage, this season could be one for the ages. As they transition into the pros, their skills, abilities, and marketability will undoubtedly significantly impact the league and their respective clubs. The emergence of Iowa folk hero Caitlin Clark, among other notable stars, is expected to continue to drive up WNBA viewership, which has already seen a remarkable 21% increase from the previous season across all televised networks. Clark is renowned for her scoring prowess, often compared to the likes of active Warriors legend Stephen Curry for her ability to score effortlessly beyond the arc. Despite not clinching a championship ring during her college career, Clark's impact on Iowa and women's basketball is undeniable, largely due to her generational production. Throughout her four seasons, Caitlin Clark dominated both the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference, leading in both scoring and assists. She helped steer Iowa to the Final Four and NCAA Women’s National Championship, leaving an indelible mark on the program's history and solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential players in collegiate basketball history.
Kamilla Cardoso, a former Gamecock and reigning NCAA Women’s March Madness champion will have her debut delayed by four to six weeks due to a shoulder injury sustained during preseason play against the Minnesota Lynx. Known for her defensive prowess, a healthy Cardoso will be instrumental in fortifying the Sky’s backcourt for years to come. Debuting her career with the Syracuse Orange, the six-foot-seven center, led the ACC with 65 blocks and finished second in the same category in the SEC for both the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons. Cardoso was hyper-efficient scoring from the interior, leading the SEC in field goal percentage last season and pouring on 14.4 points per game, good for 14th in the conference. Cardoso was a stellar rebounder as well, finishing top-five in the NCAA in three of her four college seasons. Angel Reese, the LSU superstar forward, is poised to make her mark as she transitions to the Chicago Sky after being selected No. seventh overall in a trade-up. Known as the 'Bayou Barbie', Reese garnered attention for her dominant performances during her two-year stint at LSU and strong-willed personality. In LSU's 2022 March Madness title campaign, she led the Tigers in scoring, rebounds, and steals, guiding them to the crown. Although her second season with the program didn't end with championship glory and her production saw a slight decline, Reese and Cardoso promise to revive the Sky's rebounding and defensive output.
The Las Vegas Aces stand on the brink of history, aiming to match the Houston Comets as the only WNBA team to secure three consecutive championships. Topping the list on ESPN’s preseason power rankings, they're the frontrunners to clinch the title, although they face the challenge of pursuing this goal without WNBA icon Candace Parker. Parker, a future Hall of Famer, bid farewell to her illustrious 16-year career on the first day of training camp. Despite contributing modestly with nine points and five rebounds in 23 minutes during her single season with the Aces, Parker's retirement leaves a void in experience and leadership. However, the Aces are poised to adapt with their 'core-four' players—Aj'a Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray—expected to seamlessly compensate for Parker's absence and continue their championship pursuit. The Aces will be challenged by a revamped Phoenix Mercury team that hired head coach Nate Tibbetts and traded for Kahleah Copper to join the trio of Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Sophie Cunningham. Defending Eastern Conference Champions New York Liberty, spearheaded by its trio of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot, seeks vengeance following a 3-1 loss against Vegas in the 2023 WNBA Finals.
