The WNBA Draft Was the Biggest Beauty Spectacle of the Year So Far

The WNBA Draft Is a Big-Ticket Event Now

There was no shortage of star power, exquisite gowns, or the sense that everything has changed irrevocably on Monday night in Brooklyn. The commissioner of the league stated, "Women's basketball is not a fad."

The draft on Monday night was officially the start of something new for the WNBA class of 2024, but it also had the vibe of a graduation celebration. Women's college basketball received more attention this year than in any previous year thanks to players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and others. As a result, their draft night was a well-deserved (and stylish!) celebration of all the hard work they put in on campus.

And maybe for the first time, rather than being a footnote, the draft felt like a capital-E event, a top-tier sports media circus. To show their excitement for their new prized player, the Indiana Fever, who had the first pick and thus the honour of selecting Clark, one of the most obvious first picks in sports history, threw a veritable welcome party for the draft. However, it wasn't limited to Indianapolis news stations and team employees. People from all over the world came to the Brooklyn Academy of Music to see the women's hoopers, who have been the main source of excitement in the sports world since the Super Bowl.

As I arrived at the iconic location, I was met by hordes of young and old basketball fans eager to get a close-up look at their heroes. In addition, there was a long queue outside the door, stretching out into the streets of Fort Greene, for media credentials. Even though it's common knowledge that women's sports are receiving more media attention than ever, it was poignant to witness the sheer number of people accountable for this. I laughed at how the theatre where I saw Past Lives had become the place to be for any sports fan and realised that women's basketball was here to stay. To put things in perspective, the draft was held in the casino-based Connecticut Sun arena ten years ago. in Connecticut. Fans were not allowed entry. ESPN2 aired the first round, while ESPNU carried the second and third rounds. There weren't many people observing the big fits, if any existed to be admirable. That's not the case anymore.

Kamilla Cardoso, the third overall pick by the Chicago Sky, is a star on the court and on the orange carpet 

After hearing her name called and formally joining the Fever, Clark stood on the WNBA's orange carpet and observed her surroundings. She stated, "I believe it can go even further than where it is now." For the rest of time, there will be supporters at every draft. That is the ideal situation. The night came with unspoken instructions to see and be seen, as the building was filled with high-profile guests from the entertainment and sports industries, including the ever-present and universally beloved Jake from State Farm, as well as Rose Lavelle, Kelley O'Hara, and Lynn Williams from the US Women's National Team.

 Clark was dripping in Prada,putting a player's outfit for the NBA or WNBA draft together for the first time ever. Vogue editor Naomi Elizee styled Reese, who looked stunning in a hooded gown by New York City designer Bronx & Banco. Cameron Brink of Stanford, who was selected as the second pick of the evening, walked across the stage wearing a dress with a slit from Balmain and heels by Jimmy Chu. Later, to protect her feet, she changed into a pair of sensible yet chic New Balance 550s. 

Reese, Clark, and Brink put their fashion senses on display

Wearing an orange goddess dress from Berlin fashion house Lemanjá, Satou Sabally—the reigning winner of GQ's Most Stylish WNBA player tournament and, therefore, the most qualified person on earth to discuss draft fits—was also present. Following the addition of No. 5 pick Jacy Sheldon to her Dallas Wings team, Sabally provided us with an overview of all the eye-catching fashion events. They're all very beautiful, she exclaimed. "Everyone had a fantastic appearance. On stage, there was some Louis Vuitton! I'm incredibly proud of these young ladies for expressing their identities via their attire on such a significant day. When Sabally needed to decide who had the best fit of the evening, she turned to the Bayou Barbie. "Angel was simply...she is the instant."

Other than clothes, there were other components that elevated Monday night above the status of a draft. As New York's first truly beautiful day of the year filled the second-story event space at BAM with evening sunlight, drinks were flowing and the atmosphere felt more like a cocktail party than anything basketball-related. Ellie, the mascot of the New York Liberty and everyone's favourite twerking elephant, even made an appearance.Have fun with it! One draft pick is all you get," Clark remarked. Take it all in and enjoy yourself immensely. That is my plan of action. When Sabally considered the 2024 draft in comparison to her own, she became clearly moved. "This is huge," the woman said. Since I was selected in the 2020 draft, I kept my draft at home. This is just incredible to witness. I'm overjoyed.

There were logistical issues as well. Given the enthusiasm surrounding women's basketball, it is natural to wonder when the 12-team WNBA will grow. With 16 teams as its near-term goal, commissioner Cathy Engelbert specifically mentioned Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland, Nashville, and South Florida as locations the league has its sights set on, with the Bay Area receiving a team for the 2025 season. There is undoubtedly sufficient talent to fill the void. Engelbert remarked, "I want to take a moment to reflect on how fortunate I feel to be in women's basketball." "It's not just this class; it extends to the following year as well. JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers, Kiki Rice, and Hannah Hidalgo. The list is endless. This league will have a long history of well-known players and fierce rivalries.

The league is forward-thinking, but it's important to keep in mind that it has a history as well because it's been around long enough. All 22 of the draft picks this year were born in the 2000s, so they are a generation that was born after the WNBA existed. The new kids on the block have always been able to dream about draft day, while '80s babies like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, who carried the WNBA torch for so long, grew up not knowing if they'd be able to play professionally in the States. And when it did, they transformed it into a fully booked fashion show in a lavish theatre. Though the rookies, like everyone their age, still have some learning to do, the W is in good hands. Brink remarked, "There's obviously still a lot of work to be done." However, I'm just content to be here and speak with you. I won't lie; it's nerve-racking. But we find it to be a good challenge. We are maturing into young adults. fresh steps in a fresh environment!

But Engelbert got the night's best quote. She encapsulated the significance of this event for women, the sport, and everyone who has been saying it for years in six succinct words: "Women's basketball is not a fad."