In the upcoming NCAA Championship, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso will be a force to be reckoned with. The star center has just declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is projected to be a top-five pick. Since joining the Gamecocks in 2021, Cardoso has shown remarkable improvement each year. This season, as a starter for the first time, she achieved career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game.
Cardoso’s dominant play down low has been instrumental in South Carolina’s success on defense and their high ranking in field goal percentage and rebounding margin. However, her impressive offensive skills should not be overlooked either. She boasts an impressive field goal percentage and even hit a game-winning 3-pointer in a recent tournament game.
Despite her reputation as a defensive powerhouse, Cardoso’s departure will create a gap in the Gamecocks’ lineup next season. But several other players have shown promise in stepping up to fill her shoes. When South Carolina takes on NC State in the Final Four matchup, fans can get a preview of Cardoso’s skills and see how she fares against another talented opponent like River Baldwin from NC State.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley expressed her support and confidence in Cardoso’s future after she announced her decision to enter the draft. The talented center is predicted to be selected early in the draft, with some mock drafts placing her at No. 4 to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Overall, Cardoso’s journey from Syracuse to South Carolina has been nothing short of impressive. Her hard work and dedication have paid off with significant improvements each year, making her one of the top prospects for the WNBA Draft.
