SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
PHOTOS BY JAMES DOMBROWSKI
On April 15 in New York City, the annual WNBA draft was held, with perhaps the best top level draft class in league history. The obvious #1 pick was Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, who was taken by the Indiana Fever. Princeton native Cameron Brink from the University of Stanford was taken 2nd overall by the LA Sparks. Kamilla Cardoso, 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player for the undefeated National Champion South Carolina Gamecocks, went #3 to the Chicago Sky. Chicago also took LSU’s Angel Reese with the 7th pick. Rounding out the top five were Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, who went #4 to LA, and Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon, who was taken 5th by Dallas.
Locally, the New York Liberty selected Marquesha Davis from the University of Mississippi with the 11th pick. NY’s other selections included Arizona’s Esmery Martinez with 17th pick, Mississippi State center Jessika Carter with the 23rd pick, and USC forward Kaitlyn Davis with the 35th pick out of USC.
This draft was historic not just for the incredible players selected, but the fact that it was the WNBA selection special that had paying fans in attendance. Other notable players taken include Niki Muhl from UConn, taken 13th by the Seattle Storm. She will play along Skylar Diggins on the Seattle Storm. Celeste Taylor from the University of Ohio State was selected by the Indiana Fever to play along top pick Caitlin Clark. Abbey Hsu out of Columbia was taken #34 by the Connecticut Sun. Finally, Jackson State center Angel Jackson taken by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces with the 36th and final pick of the draft.
In other sports news, the New York Jets have announced that they will pivot back to a throwback jersey scheme similar to the ones they wore during the New York Sack Exchange era and through the mid-90s.
Finally, longtime New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling has announced his retirement, effective immediately. The Edgewater, New Jersey native had been with the club since 1989, and even shares his July 4 birthday with legendary Yankee owner George Steinbrenner.
