The most anticipated WNBA draft in history wrought a party-like atmosphere of high fashion and higher nerves, say nothing of twerking elephants, before a delirious Brooklyn crowd
Indiana select Clark at head of ‘generational’ draft class
It was the biggest night in women’s basketball – but if you were judging by the dress code, you’d be forgiven for being a little confused. The 2024 WNBA draft was held in New York City on Monday night, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in a weird area of the borough that is really the confluence of two or three different neighborhoods, and the line of fans waiting to get into the venue wrapped around the block. The mood was frantic; those who didn’t have tickets waited on the side of barricades, perhaps hoping to get within earshot of a beloved player or coach and find just the right moment to shout “I love you!”.
Those lucky enough to have scored a ticket to the night’s sold-out event – only the second time the WNBA opened the draft to the public and the first since 2016 – jostled in line waiting for entry. Some arrived looking ready for the red carpet: clad in dreamy ballgowns and sparkly heels, or in snazzy suits and dress shoes. Others dressed, for a lack of a better word, regular – or boasted their favorite team’s gear. (One fan wore a T-shirt that simply said: EVERYONE WATCHES WOMEN’S SPORTS.)
