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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mitchell Northam

Kamilia Cardoso’s delayed WNBA debut was worth the wait in stellar performance against the Indiana Fever

Heading into the WNBA Draft in April, a lot of folks who paid close attention to women’s college basketball tabbed South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso as one of the most pro-ready prospects in the class.

Much of that was due to Cardoso’s size – skilled 6-foot-7 posts don’t just grow on trees in the WNBA – and her prowess as a defender and rebounder. The Brazilian was an All-American, named Defensive Player of the Year by the SEC and WBCA, and was voted Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four as she powered the Gamecocks to their third national championship.

But fans had to wait for Cardoso’s WNBA debut. She missed the first six games of the Chicago Sky’s regular season after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason.

When Cardoso finally took the court Saturday afternoon against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, she showed everyone why the Chicago Sky selected her third overall. Simply put: Cardoso’s delayed debut was worth the wait.

 

Cardoso finished her first WNBA game – a narrow 71-70 loss to the Fever – with 11 points and six rebounds in 17 crucial minutes off the bench.

Cardoso vs. Boston

While Cardoso had a good game offensively – making 5-of-7 shots and having just two turnovers – her exceptional defense was on full display too, often against her former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston.

Fans love Cardoso

Ultimately, Cardoso’s debut left fans, media and all folks around the WNBA incredibly impressed and wanting more.

Cardoso will take the court for the Sky again on Tuesday against the New York Liberty.

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