Chicago Sky select Kamilla Cardoso in first round of 2024 WNBA Draft

The Chicago Sky selected South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso with the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Cardoso began her career at Syracuse before transferring after one season. She won two national titles (2022 and ’24) with head coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks.

In 33 games last season, Cardoso averaged 14.4 points per game, 9.7 rebounds, two assists and shot 59.4% from the floor. Over the course of her career, Cardoso averaged 10.6 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and had a 57.5% shooting percentage.

If there was one woman who allowed Cardoso to excel and jump levels as a basketball player, it was Staley.

“She means a lot to me,” Cardoso said of Staley. “I feel like, since the first day I got to South Carolina, she’s been working so hard to get me ready and prepared for moments like this. I’m just so thankful to have her as a coach. She’s like an inspiration for me and a lot of young girls out there. I’m just so thankful to have her as a coach. She’s the best in the business, you already know.”

If you want to know about the toughness of Cardoso as a player, she injured her knee in the Final Four against NC State. Following some treatment, she played in the national title game against Iowa and dominated.

“I got a lot of treatment between yesterday and today,” Cardoso said after the national championship. “But I don’t think it really affected me today. I was just able to go out there and play. I wanted to play for this team, play for our coaches. And I just wanted to go out there and play today.”

Cardoso had 15 points, 17 rebounds and two assists in the game to clinch a title and an undefeated season for the Gamecocks.

That type of performance and experience will fare well in the WNBA as she chases championships as a pro.

While in college, Cardoso ranked No. 15 in women’s basketball in terms of her NIL Valuation.