LOS ANGELES — The Sparks selected Stanford’s Cameron Brink with the second overall pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft in New York City Monday night.
The 6-foot-4 forward averaged a double-double with 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks as a senior. Brink was named the 2024 Naismith’s Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2021 NCAA champion, 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 on the college level, Brink 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.
The Sparks then selected Tennesse’s Rickea Jackson with the fourth overall pick in the first round. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as a senior.
Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson (2) drives against North Carolina State’s Zoe Brooks during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
“We’re excited about these two picks,” Sparks general manager Raegen Pebley said. “When they come to town, when they show up and put that jersey on, we have to get the arena packed and filled, not just because whose coming into town but because we are your town.”
The Sparks draft party in downtown Los Angeles was attended by a host of basketball luminaries Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who is a part of the team’s ownership group, Naismith Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller and current Sparks guards Lexie Brown, Rae Burrell, Zia Cooke and Aari McDonald.
South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, a fan favorite amongst Sparks fans, was drafted third overall by the Chicago Sky.
The Indiana Fever selected Iowa’s Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick.
The Sparks were 17-23 last season and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, a franchise record, heading into the organization’s 28th season in the WNBA.
It was a mixed reaction to the Sparks selecting Stanford’s Cameron Brink with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/gKN169r5xF
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 15, 2024
Zia Cooke is excited that the Sparks selected Rickea Jackson with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/a8pOVxFuiV
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 16, 2024
General manager Raegen Pebley said the LA Sparks are excited about their two lottery picks Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/EtGs6GxerT
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 16, 2024
Magic Johnson has arrived to the Sparks Draft Party in downtown Los Angeles. Johnson was greeted by students from Morningside High School in Inglewood and Cheryl Miller. #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/WZYtxcmKjc
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 15, 2024
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