Dazzled in red, ready for the windy city. Kamilla Cardoso’s dream became a reality.

Cardoso, selected as the No. 3 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, celebrated her accomplishment just a day after winning the 2024 championship title with the South Carolina women’s basketball team in Columbia; moments after her announcement at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, she tearfully glanced back at her table, smiling at her mother and sister who had flown in from Brazil to show their support.

“I had a goal to be here tonight and give my family a better life,” Cardoso told ESPN’s Holly Rowe.

At the age of 15, Cardoso relocated to Tennessee to pursue high-level basketball, a journey that has seen her claim two national titles with the Gamecocks and now prepares her for the transition to a professional career.

“That was the dream but I didn’t expect it, I am so proud that I am here right now and I know little Kamilla is also proud,” Cardoso said.

The Chicago Sky

Leaded by basketball legend Teresa Weatherspoon, the Sky concluded the 2023 season with an 18-22 record, securing fifth place in the WNBA Eastern Conference. Weatherspoon, a former player for Louisiana Tech with a national title win in 1988, and a career spanning two WNBA teams, was honored with induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

“It means the most to me,” Cardoso said of Weatherspoon. “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.”

Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a team release he was excited about Cardoso’s arrival and added “she has everything we want at 6-foot-7. She is athletic, a great person, a great teammate, she comes from a winning program and we cannot wait to get her here to Chicago.”

Familiar faces heading to Chicago

With the third and seventh picks in the 2024 draft, the Sky bolstered their lineup with two formidable forwards, selecting Cardoso and LSU’s Angel Reese.

“Two great players together, nobody is going to get any rebounds on us,” Cardoso remarked with laughter.

The rookie duo share a rich history, notably from their seasons in the SEC. Their most recent encounter was in the SEC championship game, where Cardoso faced a one-game suspension following an altercation, and Reese received a foul for an intentional elbow on Cardoso.

Cardoso boasted averages of 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds, while Reese averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds this season.

Despite attending high school nine hours apart, Reese and Cardoso first crossed paths on the court in high school before reuniting in college. Reese transferred from Maryland to LSU, while Cardoso made the move from Syracuse to South Carolina.

“Now being able to be teammates is going to be amazing,” Reese expressed.