WNBA draft-pick day is finally here. After an incredible season that ended with the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship becoming the most-watched women’s college-basketball game in history and the most-watched basketball game, period, since 2019, some of the most prominent star players, including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and Kamilla Cardoso, are heading to the WNBA.
Tonight, they found out what teams they’ll be playing for — which, while not exactly a massive surprise for many of them, is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. There are 12 teams in the league, and for the second year in a row, the Indiana Fever got first pick. It was near certain that they would be choosing Caitlin Clark, and they did — making her the No. 1 WNBA draft pick. It also means she’ll be playing alongside last year’s NCAA star player and first draft pick, Aliyah Boston. Cameron Brink was the second pick, going to the Los Angeles Sparks, and Kamilla Cardoso became the third pick, going to the Chicago Sky. Also going to the Chicago Sky is Angel Reese, who was the seventh pick. “Playing with Kamilla is going to be super fun,” said Reese, and Cardoso concurs: “Both of us have a history of winning championships, so we’re gonna get together and let’s try to win a championship for Chicago.”
The players showed out on the orange carpet with their style as much as they do on the court. Below, what you should know about every player up for draft pick tonight and what they wore on the orange carpet.
What did the WNBA players wear ?
The carpet was a mix of styles and labels, with some players going super high-end and others keeping it simple. The most popular accessory was a pair of shades, often with gradient lenses, which were sported by several of the athletes. But in every gown, suit, and matching set, personalities shone through. The one phrase repeated by several players was some variation of “You look good, you feel good. You feel good, you play good.” And everyone did.
What did Caitlin Clark wear?
Anything we can say about Caitlin Clark is an understatement. She’s broken countless records and is the highest-scoring NCAA player of all time. She has been credited with elevating women’s basketball to a larger audience, and her presence on Iowa’s team resulted in ticket sales rising exponentially. But she’s not assuming immediate success. “There’s a lot of ups and downs, and I think that’s gonna be the biggest thing,” she told the Cut. “The beginning of my professional career is, like, not everything’s gonna be perfect. You gotta roll with the punches and learn from it and rely on the people around you.”
Clark also made an appearance on SNL this weekend to decimate Michael Che’s sexist jokes about women’s sports and was received with a standing ovation. “That’s a bucket-list opportunity,” she said. “Definitely a late night, but very fun.”
On the carpet, Clark was the definition of chic in head-to-toe Prada, pairing a matching white ensemble with a glittery crop top and a tiny purse to tie it all together. She’s the first WNBA or NBA player to be dressed by Prada for the draft. “I feel like it’s very me; it’s simple, but also you’ve got this top that’s pretty fire,” she said of the look. “I’m definitely somebody that’s very simple. That’s kind of how I roll. I’ve never been very flashy in my fashion and what I wear.”
And what about Angel Reese?
Angel Reese looked stunning on the orange carpet in a slinky, glittery hooded gown by Bronx and Banco with a Simon Miller clutch and a classic pair of Louboutins. She told the Cut that the dress came together quickly — it arrived just two days before draft picks. “I just wanted to pop,” she said. “And I think I’ve left that impact here.” Reese is known for looking good on and off the court, and says her style ranges from casual to opulent. “I like putting outfits together,” she says. “I like thrifting. But I also like wearing some nice high-end stuff. We’re tapping into more fashion, just wait.”
Last year, Reese led LSU in winning the NCAA Women’s National Championship and is the 2024 SEC Player of the Year. She’s a dedicated, talented player who’s broken several rebound records and is certain to do great things with the Chicago Sky. “Being able to see what they’re building, I knew what I was coming into,” said Reese. “I’m excited to go in with an open mind and be ready to work. Chicago, turn it up.”
Reese is also a player who’s been credited with bringing big crowds to games, and watching the sport’s massive growth in the last few years has been a source of optimism for her. “I just feel like the WNBA is going in the right direction,” she said. “The women that I’ve been talking to, the vets, are super excited for me to be coming to the league and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.”
Who else was at the WNBA draft, and what did they wear?
Cameron Brink
As the star player on Stanford’s team, Brink made a name for herself as an incredible defensive player, winning the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award three times in a row. She is also the godsister of Steph and Seth Curry. She was the second overall WNBA draft pick, going to the Los Angeles Sparks.
On the carpet, she wore a Balmain gown with strappy Jimmy Choo heels. “I like to do a balance of masculine and feminine,” she told the Cut of her style. “I love being in cargo pants. Other days, I love a dress and heels. Classy, but sexy.” Brink is admittedly a bit of a fashion girl; she said she’s modeled before and would happily do it again. “I would love the opportunity to make other tall women feel more comfortable in their skin and to own their beauty and their height.”
Kamilla Cardoso
Having led South Carolina in two national championships, Cardoso is one of the major players to watch and is particularly known for her defensive playing. She brought powerful energy to the carpet in a pantsuit custom-made by 831 MINHLE in her favorite color, red. “Fashion is really important,” she told the Cut. “I like to dress up. I like to get my nails, my hair, and my lashes done.” She brought even more powerful energy to the draft picks when she became the third overall WNBA pick, going to the Chicago Sky. “The biggest lesson is to play hard,” she said. “This last four games, I was more confident in myself and I played better.”
Rickea Jackson
Having played for Tennessee’s Lady Vols after transferring from Mississippi State, Jackson is known for high scoring in both points and rebounds. She was the fourth draft pick, going to the Los Angeles Sparks. “I’m grateful for L.A. trusting in me,” she told the Cut. “I’m still wrapping my head around it all, but I’m very excited.”
She brought full glam to the carpet, pairing a red matching set with glittering jewelry and cool gradient sunglasses. She also had an outfit change, attending the draft itself in a glittery silver suit. After trying them both on, she couldn’t decide between the two. “I said, ‘Why not both?’ You don’t get a draft ever again, so go big or go home,” she said.
Jacy Sheldon
At Ohio State, Sheldon became known for her skill as a guard and for being a high scorer, helping her team reach the Elite Eight for the first time in 30 years. She was the fifth draft pick, going to the Dallas Wings. On the carpet, Sheldon wore an elegant black Oscar de la Renta gown with shoes and a bag by Jimmy Choo. “I felt confident and classy,” she told the Cut.
Aaliyah Edwards
At UConn, Edwards has thrice helped take the team to the NCAA Final Four, which included the championship game in 2022. She’s also an Olympian, having been the youngest player on Canada’s women’s national team at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. She was the sixth draft pick and will go to the Washington Mystics.
On the carpet, Edwards wore a slinky white gown with fringe and a waist cutout by Galvan London — but the highlight of the look was the custom basketball clutch she was carrying. “It’s a key piece for me,” she told the Cut, “because I always have a ball in my hand. It’s been like that since I was young.”
Alissa Pili
After three seasons with USC, Pili had a breakout season last year with Utah, when she was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and Most Improved Player. She has consistently held a high points-per-game score. She was the eighth draft pick and is going to the Minnesota Lynx. “I’m really excited to just learn and bring what I bring to the table,” she said.
Pili is Indigenous and Samoan American, and her look was a custom design by Jason Vu, incorporating Polynesian designs in gold on the skirt and exposing the tribal tattoos on her shoulder and leg. “Especially in women’s sports, it’s important to express yourself on and off the court,” she told the Cut. “My Polynesian Indigenous community have been so supportive of me anywhere I go. I just wanted to represent my people as best as I could on the big stage.”
Marquesha Davis
As Mississippi’s star player, Davis helped get the team to the NCAA tournament and has been a consistently high scorer. She was the tenth draft pick and will be going to hottest team in town, the New York Liberty. “My plan is to just come in and make an impact in whichever way that is,” she told the Cut. “Whether it’s offense or defense, whether it’s a practice or a game. And to learn from the vets whenever I get the opportunity.”
Nyadiew Puoch
Puoch is already a star of Australian professional women’s basketball, having debuted in the WNBL in 2023. She also helped the Australian Under 19 team win silver at the 2021 World Cup. She was the 12th draft pick and will be joining the Atlanta Dream. “The community are so into the sport,” she told the Cut. “It’s the best league in the world. It’s going to be hard, but you’ve gotta stay open-minded. You can face challenges, but you gotta bounce back from them.”
She looked stunning in a flowing seafoam-green gown by Model Atelier paired with diamond earrings. “I love it,” she said of the dress. “It’s cool that it’s been tailored for me. I love to wear things that show off my figure.”
Nika Mühl
Mühl helped UConn reach the Final Four three times and was a leader in assists for the season and in an individual game. She was the No. 2 pick in the second round and will be playing for Seattle Storm.
“Growing up, I would wear the worst, ugliest thing — and I would feel confident,” she told the Cut. “My mom always taught me: ‘If you’re confident, you’ll look great.’” Now that she’s older, she’s just as confident in her playing and in her fashion, but it also helps that she looked sleek in a ROTATE matching set with custom alterations from her stylist, Brittany Howard.
Dyaisha Fair
Ending her college career at Syracuse after transferring from Buffalo, Fair holds the record for the third-most points in NCAA women’s basketball history, just behind Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum, whose record Clark broke. She was the fourth pick in the second round and will play for the Las Vegas Aces.
Elizabeth Kitley
At Virginia Tech, Kitley has played a solid defensive game that has earned her three ACC Player of the Year awards. She also led her team to the NCAA Final Four in 2023. She was the 12th pick in the second round and will play for the Las Vegas Aces.
