South Carolina star Camila Cardoso will enter the 2024 WNBA Draft, she announced Monday on Instagram.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey so far,” Cardozo wrote in her post. “I'm excited about what the future holds and can't wait to see where the next chapter takes me.”
Cardoso is averaging 14.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the No. 1 Gamecocks this year. South Carolina is scheduled to face No. 3 NC State in the Final Four on Friday.
The deadline to declare for the WNBA Draft for players participating in the Final Four is not until 48 hours after their last game, so Cardoso didn't have to make that announcement for another week, but there was no need to wait for one of the college game's top prospects. Now, that decision won't be hanging over Cardoso during the Final Four, as she seeks her second national title and first as a starter for the Gamecocks.
Cardoso is highly regarded by WNBA GMs for her size — a common phrase is “You can't teach 6-foot-7” — and her mobility. She is expected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming draft and the best center in this class.
South Carolina has sophomore Ashlyn Watkins waiting in the wings to start at center next season with Cardoso's departure. Junior Sania Feagin has been a capable backup stepping in at fourth and fifth.
The Gamecocks also welcome one of the country's top new players, 6-foot-2 forward Joyce Edwards, who was the U.S.'s most productive player at the FIBA U19 World Cup last summer. The front yard will continue to be stocked for years to come at Columbia.
Required reading
(Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)