Heading into the WNBA Draft in April, a lot of folks who paid close attention to women’s college basketball tabbed South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso as one of the most pro-ready prospects in the class.
Much of that was due to Cardoso’s size – skilled 6-foot-7 posts don’t just grow on trees in the WNBA – and her prowess as a defender and rebounder. The Brazilian was an All-American, named Defensive Player of the Year by the SEC and WBCA, and was voted Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four as she powered the Gamecocks to their third national championship.
But fans had to wait for Cardoso’s WNBA debut. She missed the first six games of the Chicago Sky’s regular season after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason.
When Cardoso finally took the court Saturday afternoon against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, she showed everyone why the Chicago Sky selected her third overall. Simply put: Cardoso’s delayed debut was worth the wait.
Kamilla Cardoso has officially made her WNBA debut and is already making an impact on the court 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6dJx4ds7jT
— ESPN (@espn) June 1, 2024
Cardoso finished her first WNBA game – a narrow 71-70 loss to the Fever – with 11 points and six rebounds in 17 crucial minutes off the bench.
Cardoso vs. Boston
While Cardoso had a good game offensively – making 5-of-7 shots and having just two turnovers – her exceptional defense was on full display too, often against her former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston.
Just watch Kamilla Cardoso on this possession
How well she moves laterally & her footwork really stand out in mobility on defense
Then, the ability to apply pressure in the post but not foul — her vs Aliyah Boston will be *fun* for YEARS to come pic.twitter.com/SIMNdHlfQC
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) June 1, 2024
Fans love Cardoso
Ultimately, Cardoso’s debut left fans, media and all folks around the WNBA incredibly impressed and wanting more.
Kamilla Cardoso is so far ahead of Angel Reese offensively. Makes you think about where they went to college
— Dano Mataya (@drmataya) June 1, 2024
This Fever-Sky game has been so fun.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have delivered as expected, and Kamilla Cardoso has been immense. Looks like a fun rivalry for years to come.
One possession game on ESPN with 8 minutes left hitting the home stretch, has been tight throughout.
— Brandon Anderson (@wheatonbrando) June 1, 2024
Watching Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso battle down low is so so fun
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) June 1, 2024
Dawg, Kamilla Cardoso is killing it out there
— ⚡️D.J.⚡️ (@WXBelk) June 1, 2024
Cardoso will take the court for the Sky again on Tuesday against the New York Liberty.
