The 2024 WNBA Draft gives the league momentum both on and off the court

This yr, we saw women’s college basketball enter territory that forced sports fans to acknowledge its presence. From skyrocketing viewership throughout the season, with the NCAA Championship Game peaking at 24.1 million viewers in last quarter-hour of the matchwomen’s basketball has develop into a moment.

The numbers don’t lie, and the current buzz surrounding women’s basketball is the work of pioneering players who’ve been underrated since the WNBA’s inception in 1996. Stars like Angel Reese, Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink and Caitlin Clark are amongst the all-star forged which might be at the forefront of the current movement powering the sport. With their on-court skills and popularity, this game-changing class of rookies hopes to keep up the momentum and buzz around women’s basketball because it moves into the league.

“Being a part of this draft class means everything to me, like I said, on and off the court,” Reese said after being chosen seventh overall in the first round of the WNBA draft to the Chicago Sky. “We are amazing, we should not just basketball players, we’ve a big impact on the community, the people around us and the little kids who look as much as us. Because we will operate across the country, everyone knows us wherever we go, our lives should not normal and possibly we will now experience a little bit of normality before the league. I’m just excited to be a pioneer, I’m excited to be a component of history and I just keep trying to the future, I realize it’s brilliant.

What’s unique about this yr’s draft class is that they’ll bring not only their talents to the league, but additionally their loyal fans and supporters. Because social media and NIL opportunities are an enormous a part of the collegiate experience of this draft class, the women attracted fans who weren’t necessarily there to play basketball. Twenty-year-olds heading to the league seamlessly mix the fashion, beauty and culture they know and love.

These athletes’ ability to perform at the highest level in basketball, fashion and beauty was evident throughout their careers and was showcased on the most vital night of their lives. They showcased their partnerships with designer brands and they even modified their uniforms mid-draft once they felt prefer it.

The popularity of the 2024 rookies was clearly demonstrated when the draft set a record for the most viewership in WNBA history with 2.45 million viewers. As expected, Clark was the No. 1 pick and was chosen by the Indiana Fever. She made a press release on the orange carpet by being the first female athlete or athlete to wear Prada during the draft.

Clark entered the draft after appearing on , where she made fun of host Michael Che for using women’s sports as a punchline.

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

Reese, nicknamed “Bayou Barbie,” arrived in a striking Bronx and Banco dress with a bedazzled hood and custom white and gold diamond plaid. This look comes just a couple of weeks after she became the first player to announce her plans to enter the draft via .

Reese hasn’t apologized since entering into the highlight, and draft night was no exception. The desire to boldly use beauty and fashion reaches a wider audience.

Former Tennessee forward Jackson, who was chosen fourth overall in the draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, wore two jumpsuits, one in red and the other in shiny silver.

“I just desired to create something edgy, cute, but with a bit statement. I even have 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 yr’s draft is undeniable. Star power combined with basketball talent continues to extend the visibility of girls in sports and drive interest in the WNBA.

“So many people contact me from so many different places; Understanding our impact is not just at our school in the U.S., but its impact across the world is incredible,” Reese said. “Going abroad – when we go abroad with my team, with LSU – was a lot of fun because everyone recognized us, knew us and made us feel at home.”

“Women don’t usually get as much recognition around the world as we do, and it’s not even about basketball, it’s about the impact we’ve had on people’s lives.”

As these stars move into the league, they convey with them a newfound attraction. Many of those athletes will proceed their love of beauty and fashion of their latest cities, offering unique opportunities to cosmetologists and cosmetics suppliers across the country. These ladies take “look good, have fun” to a complete latest level and they’re just getting began.