Kamilla Cardoso

It's no accident that Kamilla Cardoso became one of the most dominating players in college basketball in the 2023-2024 season that ended with her winning a national championship and being selected third overall by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Draft. In fact, it was part of the plan, according to Brazil National Team coach José Neto. Growing up in Brazil, Neto deliberately exposed Cardoso to international camps playing with and against established WNBA stars. "I started as head coach of Brazil in 2019 and Kamilla played with us in 2021," Neto said. "When she played for us for the first time in the AmeriCup when it was played in Puerto Rico. We finished third and lost the semifinals against the US. This team was coached by Dawn Staley. Coach Staley looked at Kamilla and said: 'Oh, ok. I think that she can play.'" Indeed she could. Cardoso was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, following a 15-point, 17-rebound performance in the title game.