WNBA: Standout Debuts
1: Caitlin Clark - Indiana Fever
It was an exhilarating weekend as top overall pick Caitlin Clark played her first WNBA preseason game. Last month, Clark penned a deal with the Indiana Fever, joining the electrifying power forward Aaliyah Boston. Clark kept the same narrative she embodied as the NCAA Division 1, being an all-time leading scorer, as she totaled 21 points. Clark led the first half with 16 points in 16 minutes, scoring 21 points in 28 minutes - yes, she's that girl. Despite losing 79-76 against the Dallas Wings on Friday night, Clark tells reporters, "You couldn’t ask for a better game."
An explosive start for the number one draft pick resulted in her making her mark, and this is only the beginning.
"My biggest goal coming into tonight was to continue to be myself, have fun playing basketball, be aggressive – I thought that’s what I did. So, I think [I have] a lot to be proud of," Clark told reporters after the game.
In case you missed it, check out her gameday highlights below!
This year is projected to be the most-watched season for the W, and it's incredibly exciting to watch women's basketball flourish.
"They are what makes women’s basketball so fun," Clark described the fans. "I think over the course of the last couple of years, it’s just growing and growing. And for them to come out and support [me] during my first WNBA game, it's really special, not only for myself but both teams on the court. They get to see how good this product is."
2: Rickea Jackson - Los Angeles Sparks
Former Tennessee women's basketball star Rickea Jackson put an exclamation mark on her newly signed contract with the Sparks following a sharp debut performance on Saturday. The top pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft showcased precisely what she'll bring to the Sparks organization. Jackson’s first career basket resulted in a turnaround fadeaway. Check out the clip below!
Jackson finished her debut, scoring 10 points and capturing 4 rebounds.
3: Angel Reese - Chicago Sky
The Bayou Barbie has transformed into the Sky Princess after penning $324,383 with Chicago Sky. The No. 7 draft pick is joining forces with former South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso. The dynamic duo played in their first preseason game on Friday night, losing 92-81 to the Minnesota Lynx.
Reese scored 13 points and recovered nine rebounds in a little over 24 minutes on the floor, making a strong impression during her debut.
Despite the loss, the rookie forward truly made a mark during her WNBA preseason debut in a Sky uniform. So impressive, that it had social media in a chokehold. A lot of fans were unable to watch Reese's Sky debut because it wasn't carried on WNBA League Pass; however, that did not stop any Live Streams from going viral. Viewership numbers on the livestream varied, but on Saturday one video showed about 434,000 total views. With both Reese and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark in action, Friday's Sky game was not available over traditional or digital airwaves; x live streamers took over, totaling nearly half a million views. It's only up from here!
Today, the numbers are reported over
545,000 live-stream views.
If the signs are any indicator, the WNBA is going to see a spike in interest, unlike anything it has experienced in a long time, thanks in no small part to the 2024 rookie class.
4: Cameron Brink - Los Angeles Sparks
Adding to the rookie excitement, Cameron Brink scored her first points in her WNBA debut on Saturday night. The former Standford women's basketball star scored her first points with the Sparks in no better fashion—in the paint.
Check out Brink's first points in the paint!
In purple and gold threads, Brink had her first taste of WNBA action battling the Seattle Storm, despite a shaky start in the first half Brink shook it off and finished a solid first game as a professional in the W. Brink tallied up 11 points and hit her first three-pointer 1:30 into the third quarter. She accumulated three rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes on the floor. The powerhouse forward earned a large ovation for her rejection of Jade Melbourne's layup attempt later in the second half.
Preseason has just begun, who are you most excited to see?
