The 2024 WNBA rookie class is one of the most anticipated in history, led by none other than Caitlin Clark, the scoring phenom from Iowa who re-wrote the college record books.
But she’s not the only newcomer expected to make a big impact, and do so immediately. There hasn’t been this sort of attention and excitement around WNBA rookies since 2013, when Brittney Griner, Elena Della Donne and Skylar Diggins-Smith joined the league.
To get you ready for the 2024 WNBA season that tips Tuesday, USA TODAY Sports’ Lindsay Schnell gives a primer on the nine rookies she thinks will have the biggest impact this season.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Position: guard
College: Iowa
College career stats: 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists
She’ll play right away because: You know she’s the best scorer in the history of college basketball, men or women, right?
She’ll need to work on: Her defense
She said it: “I do feel a responsibility to lead the women’s game.”
Did you know: Clark is obsessed with chocolate chip cookies, especially if they’re freshly baked. In high school, she was often late to practice, leading her team on a trek to the concession stand for warm chocolate chip cookies. Her mom Anne is known for baking desserts for Clark’s teammates.
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Position: center
College: South Carolina
College career stats: 10.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists
She won’t play right away because: Cardoso is expected to miss the first month of the season…
