Cardoso set to enter WNBA draft
Center announces plans ahead of USC’s trip to the Final Four
Ahead of the Final Four, South Carolina women’s basketball center Kamilla Cardoso has made her decision to go pro.
Cardoso announced on social media Monday night that she would forgo her final year of eligibility and enter the WNBA draft.
In The Sporting News’ latest WNBA mock draft, Cardoso is projected as the No. 4 overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks.
“I would like to take the time to thank my family for the sacrifice of letting a 14-year-old move across the world to chase her dreams and for their unconditional love and support,” Cardoso wrote in the post.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey so far. I am excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me.”
Cardoso wrote that the Gamecocks “still have unfinished business.” No. 1 seed South Carolina (36-0) takes on No. 3 NC State (31-6) in the Final Four. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
Cardoso is leading the Gamecocks with 14.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Her 77 blocks are second-most on the team and her 58.9% field goal shooting is 16th in the country.
Cardoso, who is from Montes Claros, Brazil, transferred to South Carolina after her freshman season at Syracuse, where she averaged 13.6 points and eight rebounds per game. She spent the past three seasons with the Gamecocks. In her career, Cardoso averaged 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Evan Gerike covers South Carolina women’s basketball for the Greenville News. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike.