Taking a look at what Kamilla Cardoso had to say after being selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the Chicago Sky on Monday evening.
Now former South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso became yet another player to be drafted from Dawn Staley‘s program on Monday evening as the Chicago Sky used the No. 3 overall pick to select Cardoso.
In three years with the Gamecocks after starting her collegiate career at Syracuse, Cardoso won two National Championships and improved each season in Columbia. In 2023-24, Cardoso averaged 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while also blocking 82 shots. For her performance this season, Cardoso was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a second team All-American selection by the AP. Cardoso was also named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player after helping the Gamecocks secure the title.
In a press conference after being drafted by the Sky, Cardoso detailed just how proud she is to be in the position she is in as her professional career gets underway.
“Yeah, I feel like that was the dream, but honestly, no, I didn’t really expect this,” Cardoso said. “I’m just so proud that I am here right now. I know little Kamilla, when I was 13 years old, is also proud. I’m just excited to be here and happy.”
Below, we will look at the rest of what Cardoso had to say after being selected by the Sky with the No. 3 overall pick.
On being able to be coached by Teresa Weatherspoon
“It means the most to me. Just tells me that I’m going to be in good hands, and I’m just excited to get there and get to work with her.”
On her experience on Monday in New York City for the WNBA Draft
“It’s been an amazing day. It was my first time over there. Just a nice view. Getting my hair done and my makeup done was also amazing. Getting here, getting drafted was amazing. It’s just been a really special moment for me, and everything is going just like I dreamt of.”
“I would say just getting in the league and bringing my winning leadership, my winning mentality. We won two national championships, so.”
On what she is looking forward to about playing in the WNBA
“Just getting better, being more physical, more competition. I’m just excited to get out there and play with some of the big names of women’s basketball.”
On going from winning the National Championship to being drafted No. 3 overall
“It’s been a crazy couple of days. I’m just so proud of my teammates for winning the national championship. I’m just so happy to be here. I got really emotional because the main goal was to get here and being able to give my family a better life, and just by looking at them and seeing them at my table was amazing. I obviously get emotional when I talk about my family because I’m so proud of everything I was able to accomplish and do for them.”
On how her game complements Angel Reese’s
“I think it’s going to be great. She’s a great player. I’m a great player. So two great players together. Nobody is going to get any rebounds on us.”
On what she knows about Chicago
“This is actually going to be my first time in Chicago. I’m really excited. I’ve heard really good things about it. You have some of the best pizzas. I’m excited to get there.”
On if she plans to play overseas some day
“Yeah, I would like to go play overseas somewhere. I think that gets you better. Every time I played for my national team, it got me better somehow. So I’m excited to go to the WNBA and be able to play overseas somewhere.”
On how South Carolina gets its players ready for the WNBA
“Yeah, I feel like that tells you a lot about Coach Staley. She gets you ready for this level. She gets you prepared for whenever you step to the next level, and like I said, that just tells you everything about her. She gets you super prepared for the league.”
On her main goal in the WNBA
“My main goal as a WNBA player is just to step my game, being a sponge, soaking in everything from everybody, learn each and every day, and be a better version of myself each and every day. Be open to learning new stuff and stay ready.”
