WNBA’s 2024 draft class brings momentum to the league on and off the court

This year, we saw women’s college basketball enter a territory that forced sports fans to acknowledge its presence. From skyrocketing viewership all season long, with the NCAA championship game peaking at 24.1 million viewers in the final 15 minutes of the matchup, women’s basketball has become the moment.

The numbers don’t lie, and the current hype around women’s basketball is a product of the trailblazing athletes who have been underappreciated since the WNBA was founded in 1996. Star players such as Angel Reese, Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink and Caitlin Clark are a part of the all-star cast that headlines the current movement propelling the sport. With their skill on the court and popularity, this game-changing rookie class hopes to continue the momentum and hype around women’s basketball as they transition to the league.

“It means everything [to be a part of this draft class] like I said, on and off the court,” Reese said after being selected seventh in the first round of the WNBA draft to the Chicago Sky. “We are amazing, we aren’t just basketball players, we are super-impactful to the community, people around us, the little kids that look up to us. Being able to also be nationwide, everybody knows us everywhere we go, our lives aren’t normal and we might get a little bit of normalcy going into the league now. I’m just excited to be a trailblazer, I’m excited to be a part of history and just continue to see the future and I know it’s bright.”

The unique part of this year’s draft class is that they will not only bring their talents to the league, but their loyal fans and followers. With social media and NIL opportunities being a huge part of this draft class’ collegiate experience, the women have attracted fans who didn’t necessarily come for the basketball. The 20-somethings heading into the league seamlessly merge fashion, beauty and culture that they know and love.

The ability of these female athletes to perform at the highest level in basketball and fashion and beauty has been present their whole careers, and was showcased on the biggest night of their life. They displayed their designer brand partnerships and even made a mid-draft outfit change when they pleased.

The 2024 rookies’ popularity showed up and showed out when the draft set the record for the highest viewership in WNBA history with 2.45 million people tuning in. As expected, Clark was the No. 1 and was selected by the Indiana Fever. She made a statement on the orange carpet by being the first male or female athlete to be dressed in Prada at the draft.

Clark arrived at the draft after appearing on Saturday Night Live, where she poked fun at the show’s Weekend Update anchor Michael Che, who uses women’s sports as a punchline.

“It’s really the confluence of a lot of positive things coming together on the business side and on the basketball side,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said when asked about the Caitlin Clark effect. “It’s the rise of women’s sport. It’s Caitlin and others, Angel Reese, that big rivalry coming out of last year’s national championship. So there’s generational talent. They have big followings on social media.”

Reese, who is nicknamed “Bayou Barbie,” showed up in a statement Bronx and Banco dress with a bedazzled hood and a custom white and gold diamond grill. This look came just weeks after she became the first player to announce her plans to enter the draft via Vogue.

Reese has been unapologetically herself since she stepped into the spotlight and draft night was no different. The willingness to be bold and tap into beauty and fashion resonates with a wider audience.

Former Tennessee forward Jackson, who was selected fourth in the draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, wore two power suits, one in red and the other in shimmering silver.

“I just wanted to go with something fierce, something cute but just with a little statement. I got my buffs [sunglasses] you know I’m from Detroit,” Jackson said on the orange carpet. 

Whether it’s on the court or online, the impact of this year’s draft is undeniable. The star power mixed with basketball talent continues to increase the visibility of women in sports and increases interest in the WNBA.

“I have so many people reach out to me from so many different places; understanding our impact isn’t just within our school within the U.S. but its worldwide is amazing to see,” Reese said. “Going out of the country – when we go out of the country with my team, with LSU – it was so much fun because they all recognized us and they knew us and it felt like home.”

“Women aren’t usually recognized around the world like how we are, and it’s not even just basketball, it’s the impact that we’ve left on people’s lives.”

As these stars transition to the league, they are bringing their newfound attraction with them. So many of these athletes will continue their love of beauty and fashion in their new cities, offering a unique opportunity for cosmetologists and beauty providers across the country. These ladies are taking “look good, play good” to a whole other level and are just getting started.