Sparks take Stanford’s Brink at No. 2, Tennessee’s Jackson at fourth overall
For the first time in franchise history, the Sparks had two of the top four picks in the WNBA Draft, and they used them to add a pair of players they hope will be key pieces of a remade roster.
The Sparks selected Stanford’s Cameron Brink with the second overall pick and Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson with the fourth overall pick on Monday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York.
“They both were phenomenal in those (draft) interviews,” Sparks general manager Raegen Pebley said. “They talked about winning. They talked about what it takes to be a pro.”
Brink, a 6-foot-4 forward, averaged a double-double with 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots on her way to Pac-12 Player of the Year honors as a senior. She was also named the 2024 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year.
When she was selected, Brink was visibly emotional during her post-pick interview on ESPN.
“It is such a nerve-wrecking environment, we work so hard for this,” said Brink, who had the option to return to Stanford for a fifth season, but announced before the NCAA Tournament that she had declared for the draft. “I’m just very thankful.”
“I had great conversations with the Sparks and Raegan Pebley and (head coach) Curt Miller, and they’re amazing, but you just never know, and I didn’t want to assume anything,” Brink told reporters at the draft. “It’s just such a high-stress environment, as well, so when they called my name, just a huge wave of emotions hit me. When I saw my mom tearing up and my dad, that definitely hit home. Just was super thankful.”
Brink, who helped Stanford win the 2021 national title as a freshman, could be a foundational player to replace the recently departed Nneka Ogwumike, who signed with the Seattle Storm as an unrestricted free agent in February.
In addition to her defensive prowess as a dynamic shot blocker, Brink, described as a modern basketball player by Pebley, could emerge as a stretch forward and a willing shooter from 3-point range while being an effective interior player who shoots nearly 85% from the free-throw line.
“I love that I get to stay on the West Coast,” Brink told reporters in New York. “And I love that (the Sparks) took a chance on me, and I feel like I’m just going to show that I can work really hard and help them a lot.”
Sparks guard Lexie Brown said she is looking forward to playing with the team’s first-round picks.
“They did a great job,” Brown said. “They
didn’t succumb to the chatter of who they think that they should pick, who is going to sell tickets, who is going to get the most views or something like that. We picked two amazing players that are going to do just that, sell tickets and get views. They fit in this in this culture, perfectly, seamlessly.”
Brown, who said she is excited to play with Brink, revealed that the Sparks’ front office picked her brain over the last few weeks to get her opinion on who the team should draft.
“I had some conversations with them the last few weeks, who they were considering. They really did ask me how I felt about this upcoming draft class and it meant a lot me. I think they did a great job and I’m really excited,” Brown continued.
The Sparks had acquired the fourth overall pick in a trade with the Seattle Storm during the free agency period. Jackson, a 6-2 forward, averaged 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as a senior for the Volunteers.
“I’m just grateful that L.A. believed in me,” she told reporters at the draft. “They see something in me, and I see something in them, too. I had great talks with them prior to the draft, so I’m just grateful for it all.
“I feel like I’m excited to bring my versatility, play at any position, taking advantage of whether it’s a small guard on me or bigger or slower player. I’m excited about that.”
Sparks guard Zia Cooke was pleased with the addition of Jackson.
“(The Sparks are) getting a dominant player,” Cooke said. “She talks her stuff too. She doesn’t play around. I think that’s that Detroit in her. She’s going to come and she’s going to be ready to play. I think it’s going to be great. She’s a great listener. She wants to be better each and every day. She deserves to be here. She’s a great fit for us.”
The Sparks selected USC’S Mckenzie Forbes with their third-round pick (28th overall). The 6-foot forward averaged 14.3 points and shot 37.4% from 3-point range as a senior.
Nerves at the top
Caitlin Clark admitted she was a bit nervous before being chosen with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, even though it was no surprise.
“I dreamed of this moment since I was in second grade, and it’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of ups and downs, but more than anything, just trying to soak it in,” Clark said.
The former Iowa star became a household name among basketball fans during her record-breaking college career, and she will now try and help revive the Indiana franchise along with last season’s No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, who previously played with Clark on a USA Basketball Under-19 team.
“Obviously going to an organization that has, in my eyes, one of the best post players in the entire world,” Clark said. “My point guard eyes just light up at that. And obviously, Aliyah has been one of my teammates before. I’m excited. I can’t wait.”
Between the Sparks’ selections of Brink and Jackson, Chicago chose South Carolina’s 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso third.
Cardoso had a busy week, helping the Gamecocks win the national championship to complete an undefeated season. She took part in the team’s championship parade on Sunday before traveling to New York.
Dallas took Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon with the fifth pick. Washington drafted Aaliyah Edwards of Uconn sixth before Chicago took LSU’S Angel Reese at No. 7, pairing her with Cardoso.
“She’s a great player and I’m a great player. Nobody’s going to get no rebounds on us,” Cardoso said, laughing.
Minnesota, which had swapped picks with Chicago, drafted Alissa Pili of Utah eighth. Pili began her college career at USC.
A pair of French guards, Carla Leite and Leila Lacan, went next to Dallas and Connecticut, respectively.
New York drafted Ole Miss’ Marquesha Davis at No. 11 and Atlanta closed out the first round by taking Australian Nyadiew Puoch.
Champs draft Fair, Martin, Kitley
Two-time champion Las Vegas didn’t have a firstround pick, but made the most of three secondround choices. The Aces chose Syracuse guard Dyaisha Fair, who finished as the third-leading scorer in NCAA Division I history, with the 16th pick. Two picks later, they chose Kate Martin, Clark’s runningmate at Iowa. The Aces closed out the round drafting Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley, a 6-6 forward who was a three-time ACC player of the year. Kitley, who attended the draft on crutches, is recovering from a torn ACL and will miss for the season.
Phoenix grabs UCLA’S Osborne
UCLA’S Charisma Osborne was the last of the 15 players invited to the draft to get chosen, going with the first pick of the third and final round to Phoenix. Osborne said getting chosen so late didn’t faze her.
“I was nervous the entire night. My feelings didn’t change,” she said. “I heard my name and was so excited. I can’t wait to get to work in Phoenix.”