The 2024 WNBA Draft class has already been compared to the NBA’s iconic 2003 draft class and finally, the ladies got the chance to prove their worth. After Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese sizzled in their respective games the previous night, it was time for the No.2 overall draft pick Cameron Brink to display her prowess on the professional court. Her performance to Reese showing her delight at the early success of WNBA rookies.

While Clark ended up being the top scorer for Indiana Fever with 21 points, 3x All-American Reese almost secured a double-double for her Chicago Sky (13 points, 9 rebounds), tonight was the turn for Cameron Brink. She had 11 points along with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks as LA Sparks secured a five-point victory over the Seattle Storm. Not only this, but Reese’s teammate and another lottery pick, Kamilla Cardoso also made good use of her 13 minutes by contributing with six points in her team’s 81-92 loss against the Minnesota Lynx.

Consequently, this tremendous display by her contemporaries pleased Reese as she shared her elation on her official X account. Reese posted, “so happy for all the rooks!!!.” Reese’s message was not limited only to those rookies who made the starting line-up.

The No.4 overall draft pick Rickea Jackson also made her mark for the Los Angeles Sparks. Jackson displayed her sharp skills in her debut performance. She came off the bench and shot 4 of 9 from the field, which garnered her 10 points in just 20 minutes.  In addition to this, one of Clark’s NCAA adversaries Jacy Sheldon shined in the Dallas Wings’ victory over Clark’s Indiana Fever by registering 6 points and 2 assists, while draining both her three-point attempts.

So Reese’s message and the performances of the rookies in their pre-season debuts suggest that it’s not just the big names like Clark and Reese who can make an impact in the pro league. Apart from the on-court success of these rookies, they are also proving their star power when it came to attracting viewers.

The WNBA Draft which featured Clark, Reese, and others, had a record 2.45 million viewers. This was way more than the 2023 draft, which drew 572,000. Coming to the pre-season, the College Park Center in Arlington was sold out to see Clark’s debut against the Dallas Wings. Moreover, Reese’s debut, which was not featured as a live broadcast, garnered over 800,000 views and was shared more than 2,300 times on X via a fan’s live stream.

Notably, there is still some time left for fans to witness Reese’s Chicago Sky battling Clark’s Fever as the two teams face off at the end of the month during the regular season. Before that fans will get to see the matchup between the top two draft picks, Clark and Brink on May 24.

Given the performances on their pre-season debuts, there is a good chance these stars prove to be as good, if not better, than their NBA counterparts from 2003.

Can the 2024 WNBA Draft class make an impact similar to that of the 2003 NBA Draft class?

The 2003 NBA Draft class introduced the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and more stars to the league. They not only had major individual success but created an impact far beyond the court. Led by LeBron James’ 4 titles, this Draft class includes 15 players who combined for 26 championships. This is the only Draft class this century in which four of the top 5 picks became perennial All-Stars. And the one who didn’t become an All-Star, Darko Milicic, won the Larry O’Brien title in his rookie year.

The 2024 WNBA draft class has the chance to repeat the heroics of this iconic NBA draft class. As The Athletic’s senior writer, Chris Vanninin, put it in a tweet last month, “2024 WNBA Draft feels a lot like the 2003 NBA Draft going in, with so much star power and a class that will change everything.”

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With fans calling for the telecast of pre-season games for the women, it shows how in-demand they are. Ticket and jersey sales have gone through the roof and there is every chance this becomes the turning point in the WNBA’s journey to becoming a must-watch league. And it’s not just in the hands of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, but each and every draft pick from 2024.