NEW YORK – The NBA announced today that Jontay Porter, a two-way player recently under contract with the Toronto Raptors, has been banned from the NBA.  A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.

The league’s investigation found that prior to the Raptors’ March 20 game, Porter disclosed confidential information about his own health status to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor.  Another individual with whom Porter associated and knew to be an NBA bettor subsequently placed an $80,000 parlay proposition bet with an online sports book, to win $1.1 million, wagering that Porter would underperform in the March 20 game.

The league’s investigation also found that Porter limited his own game participation to influence the outcome of one or more bets on his performance in at least one Raptors game.  In the March 20 game, Porter played only three minutes, claiming that he felt ill.  Due to the unusual betting activity and actions of the player, the $80,000 proposition bet was frozen and was not paid out.

In addition, from January through March 2024, while traveling with the Raptors or Raptors 905, the Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s online betting account.  These bets ranged in size from $15 to $22,000, for a total of $54,094.  The total payout from these bets was $76,059, resulting in net winnings of $21,965.  None of the bets involved any game in which Porter played.  Three of the bets were multi-game parlay bets that included one Raptors game, in which Porter bet that the Raptors would lose.  All three bets lost.

The suspicious bets involving Porter’s performance in the Raptors’ March 20 game were brought to the NBA’s attention by licensed sports betting operators and an organization that monitors legal betting markets.

These findings are based on the information available to league investigators at this time.  The league’s investigation remains open and may result in further findings.  The NBA has shared and will continue to share information with federal prosecutors about this matter.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment.  While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players.  Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the industry, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game.”

NEW YORK – The NBA today announced Chicago Bulls guard-forward DeMar DeRozan as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of March.  DeRozan is being recognized for his efforts in mental health advocacy and supporting youth in Chicago.  DeRozan will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health, a mental health advocacy group in Chicago.

Throughout February and March, DeRozan released “Dinners with DeMar” – a new video series where he hosts current and former players to have impactful conversations focusing on mental health at the dinner table.  Since the series launched, DeRozan has hosted three full-length episodes featuring Draymond Green, Damian Lillard and Dwyane Wade.  Each episode features more than 45 minutes of meaningful dialogue and transparent conversations on mental health for athletes and society.  To date, the series has garnered more than 425,000 views on YouTube and serves as an effort to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.  Additionally, DeRozan hosted a premiere for the series at his alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC), where DeRozan and student-athletes from the men’s and women’s basketball teams discussed how they manage their mental health.  Full episodes and short clips are available on DeRozan’s YouTube channel with additional episodes to be released in the future.

Throughout the season, DeRozan has partnered with Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH), a Chicago non-profit that provides free therapy to those facing financial barriers to break the stigma around mental health.  In March, CHHAMH launched a DeMar DeRozan-inspired coffee drink and hoodie with proceeds benefiting the local coffee shop and their weekly men’s group therapy meetings for an entire year.  DeRozan amplified the impact by inviting Bulls teammates, Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, to join him in a few sessions with the men’s therapy group.

“As a Bulls and NBA player, I’m grateful for the opportunity to build a platform I can use to make real change and work to break the stigma around mental health,” said DeRozan.  “Throughout the years, I’ve seen what can happen when people have honest conversations about mental health and understand that everyone faces challenges, including professional athletes. I look forward to creating more forums for difficult but necessary conversations and providing more resources to support mental health for those who most need it.”

In addition to his work around mental health advocacy, DeRozan has been engaged in the Chicago community supporting youth.  In March, DeRozan partnered with Make-A-Wish to provide a VIP experience for a child and his family that included a meet and greet with the Bulls team, watching practice and courtside seats to a Bulls game.  Earlier this year, DeRozan also hosted a young Bulls fan and cancer survivor along with his family on the team plane for an away game.

DeRozan will be recognized in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during pre-game of the Apr. 17 Hawks-Bulls NBA Play-In Tournament game.  Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas will present DeRozan with the award.

The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years.  He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity.  The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season.  Each monthly winner receives the David Robinson trophy and the NBA makes a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice.  To learn more, please visit https://communityassist.nba.com/.

NEW YORK – The NBA today debuted its new campaign, “Playoff Mode. It’s a Thing,” which is now streaming across all @NBA social platforms and on the NBA App.  The campaign premieres tonight on TNT during the 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, which tips off with the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the New Orleans Pelicans at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Golden State Warriors visiting the Sacramento Kings at 10:00 p.m. ET, as each team competes to secure a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.

Narrated by actor, filmmaker and comedy icon Chris Rock, “Playoff Mode. It’s a Thing” highlights NBA players as they prepare to compete for postseason glory and earn a spot in the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.

Two-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player and 2023 NBA champion Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) and five-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) headline a cast of NBA stars that includes Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jalen Williams (Thunder). The players are joined by ESPN’s Malika Andrews, TNT Sports analyst and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Latin music superstar Anuel AA, celebrity chef Guy Fieri and five-time GRAMMY Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne.

The film opens with Tatum in a press conference as Andrews poses a simple question: “Is Playoff Jayson a thing?”  Although he denies it, the highlights speak for themselves.  Rock then asks each player the same question, to which all repeatedly insist, “It’s not a thing” over a string of highlights that prove otherwise.  Ultimately, Rock arrives at the only acceptable conclusion – it’s clearly a thing.

Click here to view “Playoff Mode. It’s a Thing”

“The campaign plays on the idea that the playoffs unlock an elevated version of all of us, from passionate fans to the unrivaled competitors across the league,” said NBA Chief Marketing Officer Tammy Henault. “We are also thrilled to unveil a new original sound that captures the spirit of the game, and over time, will build association with our fans around the world, instantly igniting their excitement for the NBA.”

“Playoff Mode. It’s a Thing”, which was directed by Felix Brady and created in collaboration with Translation.  A corresponding print, digital and audio campaign will also be featured in high-impact placements such as out-of-home across more than ten U.S. cities and at major events.

Ahead of the NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, the league is also debuting its first signature sonic brand identity which captures the authentic sounds of the game – the bounce of the ball, the squeak of a sneaker on hardwood, the growing anticipation of the crowd and the scoring swish of the net.  The sound is synchronized with a dynamic animation of the NBA logo, creating a sensory association for fans and connecting them to premium, authentic content across the league’s digital portfolio.  Fans will see and hear the new identity in the NBA Original all-access postseason docuseries “Chasing History,” which debuted on April 15 on the NBA App, as well as other content within the NBA’s digital platforms. The next episode of “Chasing History,” which will recap the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, will be available on Saturday, April 20.

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament tips off tonight on TNT with Lakers vs. Pelicans at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Warriors vs. Kings at 10:00 p.m. ET.  It continues Wednesday on ESPN when the Miami Heat visit the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 p.m. ET and the Chicago Bulls host the Atlanta Hawks at 9:30 p.m. ET.  The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will conclude on Friday, April 19.  The NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel will begin on Saturday, April 20.

NEW YORK – Two-time Naismith College Player of the Year Caitlin Clark tonight was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick of WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm^®, which was held at the at the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for the first time.

A three-time unanimous first-team All-American, Clark led Iowa to its second straight appearance in the NCAA Division I women’s basketball championship game earlier this month.  The 6-0 guard averaged 31.6 points, 8.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game, leading all of Division I in scoring and assists.  Clark finished her four-year career as the all-time leader in NCAA Division I history in total points (3,951 points) and three-pointers made (548).  The Des Moines, Iowa native was the leading scorer in Division I for three of her four seasons with the Hawkeyes, becoming the only player in NCAA history with 1,000 points in back-to-back seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24).  Clark is the second-straight No. 1 overall selection for the Fever, joining 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston.

With the No. 2 overall pick, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Cameron Brink of Stanford.  The 6-4 center-forward averaged 17.4 points and 11.9 rebounds while leading the nation with 3.74 blocks per game.  Brink was voted as the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and won the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award as the nation’s best center.  A two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year and three-time AP All America selection, Brink won a national title with Stanford in 2021.

The Chicago Sky selected Kamilla Cardoso of South Carolina with the third overall pick.  The 6-7 center helped led South Carolina to the 2024 national championship, winning Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four and her second championship.  Cardoso, who is from Brazil, was named to the All-SEC First Team and AP All-America Second Team.  She also participated in the NBA Academy Women’s Program in Mexico in 2018 (NBA Academy Latin America) and the 2019 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global camp in Charlotte.

With its second pick of the first round, the Sparks selected Rickea Jackson of Tennessee.  The Michigan native was a two time First-Team All-SEC selection (2023, 2024) and led the SEC in scoring (20.2 ppg) this past season.  The Dallas Wings used the No. 5 overall pick to select Jacy Sheldon of Ohio State.  The 5-10 guard was an AP All-America Second Team pick after averaging 17.8 points per game this season and helped lead the Buckeyes to the Elite Eight for the first time in three decades in 2023.

With the sixth overall pick, the Washington Mystics selected Aaliyah Edwards of Connecticut.  Edwards, a two-time All-Big East First Team selection, helped lead the Huskies to three NCAA Final Four appearances in her career.  The Ontario, Canada native participated in the NBA Academy Women’s Program at the Next Generation Showcase at 2019 Women’s Final Four and was MVP of the 2019 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global camp.

The Sky used the seventh overall selection to select Angel Reese of LSU.  The 6-3 forward helped lead LSU to the national title in 2023.  During that championship season, she posted an NCAA-record 34 double-doubles and won the Most Outstanding Player award at the Final Four.  Reese led the SEC in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounds (13.4 rpg) for the 2023-24 season, becoming the first player to do so in back-to-back years since 1990.

With the No. 8 overall pick, the Minnesota Lynx selected Alyssa Pili of Utah.  Pili averaged a career-best 21.4 points per game this past season as an All-Pac-12 selection and a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s best power forward.  The ninth and tenth overall picks of the first round – Carla Leite (No. 9, Dallas Wings) and Leïla Lacan (No. 10, Connecticut Sun) each hail from France.  Leite previously played for Tarbes GB while Lacan played for Angers Basket 49 Women’s Union, both in Ligue Féminine de Basketball, the top women’s professional basketball league in France.

The New York Liberty selected Marquesha Davis of Mississippi with the 11th overall pick.  Davis averaged a career-best 14.0 points per game and was an All-SEC First Team selection this past season.  With the final selection of the first round, the Atlanta Dream selected Nyadiew Puoch of Australia with the No. 12 overall pick.  Puoch is an alumna of the NBA Academy Women’s Program in Australia (NBA Global Academy) and previously played for the Southside Flyers the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).

The Chicago Sky opened the second round with its third selection of the draft, picking Brynna Maxwell of Gonzaga with the 13th overall pick.  Maxwell averaged 14.2 points per game in her final season with the Bulldogs and was an All-WCC First Team selection.  With its first selection of the night, the Seattle Storm drafted Nika Mühl of Connecticut with the No. 14 pick.  Mühl helped the Huskies reach the Final Four three times in her career and was twice named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023).  Mühl, who is from Croatia, participated in the NBA Academy Women’s Program at the Next Generation Showcase at 2019 Women’s Final Four.  Mühl also participated in the 2019 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global camp in Charlotte.

With the No. 15 overall pick, the Fever selected Celeste Taylor of Ohio State.  Taylor was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year with the Buckeyes and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in steals (2.5 spg).

The two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces made three selections in the second round, drafting Dyaisha Fair of Syracuse at No. 16, Kate Martin of Iowa at No. 18 and Elizabeth Kitley of Virginia Tech at No. 24.  Fair finished her career third all-time in scoring in NCAA Division I women’s history (3,403) behind only Caitlin Clark (3,951) and Kelsey Plum (3,527).  Martin was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection this past season, while Kitley led the ACC this season in scoring (22.8 ppg) and rebounding (11.4 rpg).

The New York Liberty used the No. 17 and No. 23 overall picks on Esmery Martinez of Arizona and Jessika Carter of Mississippi State.  Martinez was a 2024 All-Pac-12 selection after leading the team in rebounding for the second straight year, while Carter averaged a career best 14.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this season.

The Phoenix Mercury opened the third round with its first pick of the draft, selecting Charisma Osborne of UCLA at No. 25 overall.  Two more international players were selected in the round, with the Mystics selecting Nastja Claessens of Belgium at No. 30 overall and the Atlanta Dream selecting Matilde Villa of Italy at No. 32 overall.

For complete coverage of WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm^®, visit WNBA.com and the WNBA App as well as @WNBA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.

Complete results for WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm^® are below.

First Round
Pick	Team	Player	School/Country	Position
1	Indiana Fever	Caitlin Clark	Iowa	G
2	Los Angeles Sparks	Cameron Brink	Stanford	C-F
3	Chicago Sky	Kamilla Cardoso	South Carolina	C
4	Los Angeles Sparks	Rickea Jackson	Tennessee	F
5	Dallas Wings	Jacy Sheldon	Ohio State	G
6	Washington Mystics	Aaliyah Edwards	Connecticut	F
7	Chicago Sky	Angel Reese	LSU	F
8	Minnesota Lynx	Alissa Pili	Utah	F
9	Dallas Wings	Carla Leite	France	G
10	Connecticut Sun	Leïla Lacan	France	G
11	New York Liberty	Marquesha Davis	Mississippi	G
12	Atlanta Dream	Nyadiew Puoch	Australia	F-C
Second Round
Pick	Team	Player	School/Country	Position
13	Chicago Sky	Brynna Maxwell	Gonzaga	G
14	Seattle Storm	Nika Mühl	Connecticut	G
15	Indiana Fever	Celeste Taylor	Ohio State	G
16	Las Vegas Aces	Dyaisha Fair	Syracuse	G
17	New York Liberty	Esmery Martinez	Arizona	F
18	Las Vegas Aces	Kate Martin	Iowa	G
19	Connecticut Sun	Taiyanna Jackson	Kansas	C
20	Atlanta Dream	Isobel Borlase	Australia	G
21	Washington Mystics	Kaylynne Truong	Gonzaga	G
22	Connecticut Sun	Helena Pueyo	Arizona	G
23	New York Liberty	Jessika Carter	Mississippi State	C
24	Las Vegas Aces	Elizabeth Kitley	Virginia Tech	C
Third Round
Pick	Team	Player	School/Country	Position
25	Phoenix Mercury	Charisma Osborne	UCLA	G
26	Seattle Storm	Mackenzie Holmes	Indiana	F
27	Indiana Fever	Leilani Correa	Florida	G
28	Los Angeles Sparks	McKenzie Forbes	USC	G-F
29	Phoenix Mercury	Jaz Shelley	Nebraska	G
30	Washington Mystics	Nastja Claessens	Belgium	F
31	Minnesota Lynx	Kiki Jefferson	Louisville	G
32	Atlanta Dream	Matilde Villa	Italy	G
33	Dallas Wings	Ashley Owusu	Penn State	G
34	Connecticut Sun	Abbey Hsu	Columbia	G
35	New York Liberty	Kaitlyn Davis	USC	F
36	Las Vegas Aces	Angel Jackson	Jackson State	C

NEW YORK – The NBA set all-time records for regular-season total attendance, average attendance, percentage of capacity and sellouts for the second season in a row.

The total attendance of 22,538,518 in the 2023-24 regular season surpasses the previous record of 22,234,502 set last season.  The other records include 873 sellouts (up from the previous record 791 in 2022-23), 71% of games sold out (up from 63% in 2022-23) and an average attendance of 18,324 (up from 18,077 in 2022-23).  Additionally, NBA arenas were filled to an all-time-high 98% capacity.

Twelve teams sold out every true home game: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz.  The record-setting season also saw fans from more than 150 countries and territories attend regular-season games.

In conjunction with the start of the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup – formerly known as the NBA In-Season Tournament – the NBA recorded its highest-ever average attendance for November (18,208).               

Highest NBA Regular-Season Total Attendance

1. 2023-24 22,538,518
2. 2022-23 22,234,502
3. 2017-18 22,124,559
4. 2016-17 21,997,412
5. 2015-16 21,972,129

Highest NBA Regular-Season Average Attendance

1. 2023-24 18,324
2. 2022-23 18,077
3. 2017-18 17,987
4. 2016-17 17,884
5. 2015-16 17,864

The 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will tip off on Tuesday, April 16 ahead of the 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, which will begin on Saturday, April 20.

The most-viewed play across NBA social and digital media platforms during the 2023-24 NBA regular season was an exciting steal-turned-dunk involving the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. in their game against the Utah Jazz on March 21 (250M views).  No. 2 on the list was San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama’s dunk vs. the Boston Celtics on Dec. 31, which generated 247M views.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (1.9B views), Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (1.7B views) and Spurs’ Wembanyama (1.3B views) topped the list of the most-viewed players on NBA social and digital platforms during the regular season.  The Mavericks’ Doncic (1.2B views) and Irving (662M views) rounded out the top five.  The Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic more than doubled his video view count from last season (618M views), while the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards (569M views) appears on the list for the first time.

TOP FIVE MOST-VIEWED PLAYS:

1. The Dallas Mavericks convert a steal into an alley-oop on the other side of the floor (250M views)
2. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama finishes a dunk at the rim (247M views)
3. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards throws it off the backboard to himself (140M views)
4. Golden State’s Stephen Curry shows off his handles and finishes at the rim (128M views)
5. Golden State’s Stephen Curry pump fakes and takes a step-back three-pointer (96M views)

TOP 10 MOST-VIEWED PLAYERS:

1. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): 1.9B views
2. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): 1.7B views
3. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs): 1.3B views
4. Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks): 1.2B views
5. Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks): 662M views
6. Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets): 618M views
7. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves): 569M views
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): 558M views
9. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics): 504M views
10. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns): 476M views

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament begins Tuesday, April 16 with Lakers-Pelicans at 7:30 p.m. ET and Warriors-Kings at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.  The tournament continues Wednesday, April 17 with the Heat-76ers at 7 p.m. ET and Hawks-Bulls at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

LONDON – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Lids, a Fanatics company and global leader in licensed sports merchandise, today announced that the NBA Store in London has relocated from its original location at Foubert’s Place in London’s Soho district to a larger location on the capital’s iconic Oxford Street. The new flagship store, located at 267-269 Oxford Street opens today.

The three-floor, nearly 9,000 square foot interactive retail and community space features the most extensive range of officially licensed NBA merchandise for youth and adults ever available in the UK. This includes current and former player jerseys, apparel, headwear, footwear, sporting goods, toys, memorabilia and collectibles from major brands such as Nike, Mitchell & Ness, New Era and Wilson.  The store also offers advanced on-site customization services for fans to personalize jerseys – a signature feature available at multiple NBA retail locations.

As part of the innovative design, the store features several interactive elements, including LED screens showing NBA highlights, interviews, analysis and social media content as well as measure-ups and handprints of notable NBA players and legends.  The store also features a dedicated activation space complete with a 200-inch-wide LED screen and gaming facilities that will host product launches, fan events, special appearances and more.

“We are committed to providing our consumers with a one-of-a-kind retail experience,” said Bob Durda, President at Lids. “This new, expanded Oxford Street location seamlessly merges licensed NBA merchandise and memorabilia with interactive games and opportunities that will bring the community together. The NBA has been great to work with and we look forward to continuing our partnership to bring state-of-the-art retail locations to fans across the globe.”

“London’s iconic Oxford Street is the ideal location to open a dynamic, expanded retail space and reflects the success of our licensing and merchandise business in the UK,” said NBA Europe and Middle East Associate Vice President, Global Partnerships, Steve Griffiths. “With a diverse range of NBA products, apparel and footwear, this new flagship store will be a destination for casual and devoted fans not only in the UK but visiting from around the world.”

NBA fans in the UK can continue to shop online at NBAStore.eu for a wide range of NBA products featuring all 30 NBA teams.  Fans in the UK can follow the NBA on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, and download the official NBA App on iOS and Android for the latest news, updates, scores, stats, schedules, videos and more.  Fans in the UK can also watch live NBA games and programming throughout the season on TNT Sports, BBC and NBA League Pass.

NEW YORK – Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, Stanford forward Cameron Brink, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson and LSU forward Angel Reese headline the list of 15 prospects who will attend the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm^® on Monday, April 15 at the famed Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in New York.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN, with exclusive coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. The draft, along with a special edition of WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET), will also be available live on the ESPN App.

The top prospects will take part as the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm moves from Manhattan to the Brooklyn borough of New York City, where BAM has been the home to world-renowned productions in theatre, dance, music, opera, film and more for more than 160 years.

The other prospects who will be in attendance are guard Marquesha Davis (Mississippi), forward Aaliyah Edwards (Connecticut), guard Dyaisha Fair (Syracuse), center Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech), guard Nika Mühl (Connecticut), guard Charisma Osborne (UCLA), forward Alissa Pili (Utah), forward-center Nyadiew Puoch (Australia), guard Jacy Sheldon (Ohio State), and guard Celeste Taylor (Ohio State).

As determined by the WNBA Draft Lottery 2024 presented by State Farm on Dec. 10, 2023, the Indiana Fever owns the top pick in the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm. Indiana also made the No. 1 selection in 2023 and chose forward-center Aliyah Boston (South Carolina), the unanimous Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year last season.

The Los Angeles Sparks will select second. The Chicago Sky have the third selection, followed by the Sparks again at No. 4.

The formal tip-off of the draft-night festivities will take place when the invited prospects showcase their personalities and unique fashion styles on the WNBA’s iconic “Orange Carpet.” Earlier that day, the prospects will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the draft.

WNBA social channels, the WNBA App and WNBA.com will be the destination point for fans seeking wall-to-wall coverage leading up to and through the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm. WNBA social and digital content will feature draftee storytelling, profiles of draft prospects, breaking news and a preview of draft night, as well as an array of short-form videos, analysis, written features, stats and highlights.

“Draft Central” on WNBA.com features the return of “Phenom Files,” where WNBA experts analyze the on-court skills of key prospects. “Draft Central” also includes draft profiles on all 12 WNBA teams, including the latest news surrounding each team, their transactions and projected picks. On the day of the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm, the WNBA App, WNBA social and “Draft Central” will feature live, up-to-the-minute updates, an interactive Draft Board and coverage of all draft-related events.

Here is a closer look at the prospects who will be attending the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm.

Cameron Brink (Stanford): Brink capped her Stanford career as the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and, for the third time, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-4 Brink, who won an NCAA championship (2021) and four Pac-12 titles (2021-24), is a three-time Associated Press All-America pick, including a First Team selection this year. Brink won the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award as the NCAA Division I’s best center after twice being a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award as the top power forward. She led all Division I players this season with 3.74 blocks per game, ranked fifth with 11.9 rebounds per game and averaged 17.4 points per game. Brink, who hails from Beaverton, Ore., is the godsister of NBA players Stephen and Seth Curry and the goddaughter of Dell and Sonya Curry.

Kamilla Cardoso (South Carolina): Cardoso, a 6-7 center, won two national championships (2022 and 2024) and made three Final Four appearances (also in 2023) with South Carolina. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 Final Four after recording 22 points and 11 rebounds against North Carolina State in the semifinals and 15 points and 17 rebounds against Iowa in the championship game. A native of Montes Claros, Brazil, Cardoso was an AP All-America Second Team choice and an All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team honoree this season after leading the conference in field goal percentage (59.4) and blocks per game (2.48) and pacing the Gamecocks with 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Cardoso was a finalist for the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and Lisa Leslie awards.

Caitlin Clark (Iowa): The consensus Division I Player of the Year for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Clark joined Chamique Holdsclaw, Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart as the only players to be named the AP Player of the Year multiple times. Clark also earned her third consecutive Big Ten Player of the Year honor this season. The 6-foot guard is the NCAA men’s and women’s all-time leading scorer (3,951 points), eclipsing Pete Maravich (3,667) and Kelsey Plum (3,527), respectively. She also surpassed Lynette Woodard (3,649), the top scorer in AIAW history. In her four seasons at Iowa, Clark led Division I in scoring in all but her junior season. This season, she became the only men’s or women’s player in NCAA history to score 1,000 points in back-to-back seasons and the first Division I player to lead her conference in scoring and assists in four straight seasons.

Marquesha Davis (Mississippi): The 6-0 guard from Springdale, Ark., was an All-SEC First Team selection this season, when she led Mississippi with a career-high 14.0 points per game and contributed 4.7 rebounds per game. Davis transferred from Arkansas to Ole Miss in January 2022 and helped the Rebels to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. She scored at least 20 points in eight games this season and became the first Rebel since Shakira Austin in 2020-21 to record three straight games of at least 20 points.

Aaliyah Edwards (UConn): Edwards, a 6-3 forward from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, helped UConn to three NCAA Final Four appearances, including the 2022 championship game. A finalist for the Katrina McClain Award in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Edwards averaged career highs of 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season. She was an AP All-America Third Team choice in 2022-23 and an All-Big East First Team selection in each of her final two seasons. The MVP of the 2019 Basketball Without Borders Global camp, Edwards was the youngest member of the Canada Women’s National Team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Dyaisha Fair (Syracuse): A 5-5 guard from Rochester, N.Y., Fair scored the third-most points in NCAA Division I women’s history (3,403), behind only Caitlin Clark (3,951) and Kelsey Plum (3,527). Fair was an AP All-America Third Team choice this season, when she ranked eighth in Division I with 22.3 points per game and contributed 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. She finished second in ACC Player of the Year voting and earned her second straight selection to the All-ACC First Team. Prior to her two-year stint at Syracuse, Fair excelled over three seasons at Buffalo.

Rickea Jackson (Tennessee): Jackson was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as Division I’s best small forward, an All-SEC First Team selection by coaches and an AP All-America Honorable Mention pick at Tennessee in both 2022-23 and 2023-24 after transferring from Mississippi State. The 6-2 forward from Detroit averaged 19.6 points per game over her two seasons with the Lady Vols, good for fourth in program history behind third-ranked Chamique Holdsclaw (20.4) and just ahead of Candace Parker (19.4). This season, Jackson paced the SEC in scoring (20.2 ppg) and registered a career-best 8.2 rebounds per game.

Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech): Kitley, who led the ACC this season in points per game (22.8) and rebounds per game (11.4), earned three ACC Player of the Year awards (2022-24), four All-ACC First Team selections (2021-24) and three ACC All-Defensive Team honors (2022-24). The 6-6 center from Greensboro, N.C., was a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award in each of her last four seasons and a semifinalist for both the Naismith Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in her final two. She led the Hokies to the 2023 NCAA Final Four and finished as the career program leader in points, rebounds, blocks and double-doubles.

Nika Mühl (UConn): A 5-11 guard, Mühl was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22 and 2022-23. In her four-year career, she helped UConn reach the Final Four three times, including the 2021-22 season when the Huskies met South Carolina in the National Championship Game. Mühl led the BIG EAST in assists per game in 2022-23 (7.9) and 2023-24 (6.5), earning All-BIG EAST Second Team honors both times. A native of Zagreb, Croatia, she set UConn records for assists in a season (284 in 2022-23) and in a game (15 vs. N.C. State on Nov. 20, 2022).

Charisma Osborne (UCLA): Osborne was a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard this season, when she averaged 13.9 points per game and helped UCLA reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. After leading the Bruins in scoring in 2021-22 (16.4 ppg) and 2022-23 (15.9 ppg), the 5-9 guard from Moreno Valley, Calif., recorded career bests of 4.0 assists per game and 58 total steals this season. Osborne is UCLA’s career points leader in the NCAA era (2,276) and holds the program mark for three-point shots made (282). A four-time All-Pac-12 selection, Osborne followed Sabrina Ionescu as the second guard in the conference’s history to record at least 2,000 points and 800 rebounds.

Alissa Pili (Utah): Pili, a 6-2 forward from Anchorage, Alaska, registered a breakout season in 2022-23 – her first at Utah after three seasons with USC – when she was an AP All-America Second Team choice and earned Pac-12 Player of the Year and Most Improved Player honors after leading the conference in points per game (20.7) and field goal percentage (59.0). This season, Pili was an AP All-America Third Team honoree, an All-Pac-12 selection and a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award when she ranked second in the Pac-12 with 21.2 points per game and shot 55.0 percent from the field.

Nyadiew Puoch (Australia): A 6-3 forward-center from Cranbourne East, Australia, Puoch has excelled in the Australian professional women’s basketball league, the WNBL. In 2023, her debut season in that league, Puoch was nominated for the WNBL’s Sixth Woman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year awards. In her second season with the Southside Flyers, she helped that team win the league’s 2024 Grand Final while playing alongside former WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson. Puoch averaged 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. She also was part of the Australian Under 19 team that won the silver medal at the 2021 World Cup in Hungary.

Angel Reese (LSU): Reese led the Tigers to the 2023 national title as the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player and was named the 2023 Sporting News Athlete of Year, BET Sportswoman of Year and ESPN Breakthrough Athlete of Year. This season, the 6-3 forward from Baltimore paced the SEC in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (13.4 rpg) for the second straight year, becoming the first player to do so since 1990. She led the nation with 5.5 offensive rebounds per game and ranked second with 13.4 rebounds per game. The 2024 SEC Player of the Year is a three-time AP All-America selection, including First Team honors in 2023 and Second Team recognition this season. Reese, who posted an NCAA-record 34 double-doubles in 2022-23, was a three-time finalist for the Katrina McClain Award.

 Jacy Sheldon (Ohio State): A 5-10 guard from Dublin, Ohio, Sheldon was an AP All-America Second Team pick this season after ranking third in the Big Ten with a team-leading 17.8 points per game. She also was a finalist for the 2024 Nancy Lieberman Award as Division I’s top point guard and a semifinalist for the Naismith Player of the Year honor and the Dawn Staley Award as the nation’s top guard. An All-Big Ten First Team choice in her final two seasons, Sheldon paced the Buckeyes in scoring in 2020-21 (16.7 ppg) and 2021-22 (19.7 ppg). A year ago, Sheldon vaulted the Buckeyes into the NCAA Sweet 16 with a last-second shot to beat North Carolina and then helped Ohio State reach the Elite Eight for the first time in 30 years.

Celeste Taylor (Ohio State): Taylor was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honor this season with Ohio State and in 2022-23 with Duke. The 5-11 guard also was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year this season by the conference’s coaches, a year after earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. The 5-11 guard from Valley Stream, N.Y., led the Big Ten in steals per game (2.5) this season and averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. In 2023, she set a Duke NCAA Tournament record with 10 steals against Colorado.

Below summarizes the players invited to attend the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm.

Name	School	Position	Height
Cameron Brink	Stanford	F	6-4
Kamilla Cardoso	South Carolina	C	6-7
Caitlin Clark	Iowa	G	6-0
Marquesha Davis	Mississippi	G	6-0
Aaliyah Edwards	Connecticut	F	6-3
Dyaisha Fair	Syracuse	G	5-5
Rickea Jackson	Tennessee	F	6-2
Elizabeth Kitley	Virginia Tech	C	6-6
Nika Mühl	Connecticut	G	5-11
Charisma Osborne	UCLA	G	5-9
Alissa Pili	Utah	F	6-2
Nyadiew Puoch	Australia	F-C	6-3
Angel Reese	LSU	F	6-3
Jacy Sheldon	Ohio State	G	5-10
Celeste Taylor	Ohio State	G	5-11

NEW YORK AND SÃO PAULO – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today announced that the 13^th edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Americas will be held Friday, May 17 – Monday, May 20 at Clube Alto dos Pinheiros in São Paulo, Brazil.  This year’s camp will mark the fourth time the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in Brazil and first since 2011.

BWB Americas 2024 will bring together 60 of the top male and female players ages 18 and under from across Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America to participate in athletic testing, movement efficiency, skill development stations, shooting and skills competitions, life skills seminars and 5-on-5 games under the guidance of current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches.  The campers and coaches, who will be announced prior to the camp, will also take part in life skills, leadership development and NBA Cares programming.

“We’re thrilled to bring Basketball Without Borders back to Brazil at a time when the momentum around basketball in the country is at an all-time high,” said NBA Latin America Senior Vice President and Managing Director Arnon de Mello.  “This year’s camp will build on the NBA’s commitment to helping the next generation of prospects develop as players and leaders as they compete alongside their peers from across the region.”

“It’s great to see this fruitful collaboration between FIBA and the NBA continuing to provide a platform to showcase top young talent in the Americas region, with the latest edition set to take place in Brazil,” said FIBA Executive Director Americas Carlos Alves.  “This Basketball Without Borders camp in São Paulo will provide players with great opportunities to learn from the best, on and off the court, and I am sure there will be invaluable experiences for all 60 participants.”

Forty-one former BWB campers were among the record 125 international players on opening-night rosters for the 2023-24 NBA season (active and inactive).  Former BWB Americas campers on NBA rosters include Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers; Canada; BWB Americas 2019/BWB Global 2020), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Dallas Mavericks; Canada; BWB Americas 2019/BWB Global 2020), Kelly Olynyk (Toronto Raptors; Canada; BWB Americas 2009), and Gui Santos (Golden State Warriors; Brazil; BWB Americas 2019).

BWB Americas 2024 will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp.

BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, has reached more than 4,300 participants from 140 countries and territories since 2001, with 116 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA.  There have been 73 BWB camps in 49 cities across 33 countries on six continents.

Fans can follow the camp using the hashtag #BWBAmericas on Facebook, Instagram and X, and find out more about BWB at BasketballWithoutBorders.com, on YouTube (Basketball Without Borders) and on Instagram (@basketballwithoutborders).  Fans in Brazil can find more information about the NBA on the NBA App, Facebook (Facebook.com/NBABrasil), Instagram (@NBABrasil), TikTok (@NBA_Brasil), X (@NBABrasil) and YouTube (@NBABrasil).

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.

TORONTO – Ahead of the second Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Canada Game presented by Tangerine, which will feature the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm playing a preseason game on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB, the WNBA today announced the second group of Canadian female entrepreneurs whose products will be featured through “WNBA Goods presented by Amex,” a retail platform designed to promote and empower Canadian female entrepreneurs.

As part the program, a limited-edition collection of WNBA-themed merchandise from nine women-founded or owned Canadian independent businesses are now available for purchase. More details about the entrepreneurs and their WNBA merchandise, which can be purchased directly through each retailer’s website, are available at WNBACanadaGame.com.

A portion of proceeds from the sales of all items, which range from $16 to $950 CAD, will be donated to the Canada Basketball Foundation (CBF) to support the growth and development of girls and women through basketball programming.

The 2023 WNBA Goods platform, which launched ahead of the first WNBA game in Canada last year, showcased products and companies from Canadian entrepreneurs who collectively sold more than 90% of their WNBA merchandise offerings. Three retailers from the 2023 collection are returning for the 2024 program: Makeway, Scents by Fay and The Give & Grow.

Below is an overview of the nine women-owned Canadian businesses and their products that are part of this year’s program:

• Callia Flowers: WNBA-inspired bouquet and modern vase with WNBA League Pass subscription

Callia Flowers delivers exceptional floral experiences to celebrate loved ones, weddings and corporate events across Canada. Originating in Winnipeg, MB and founded by Catherine Metrycki, Callia has been featured on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

• Crave Cupcakes: Slam Dunks! Basketball-shaped sugar cookies and classic vanilla confetti buttercream

Crave Cupcakes co-founders Jodi Willoughby and Carolyne McIntyre Jackson are sisters from High River, AB, who sell irresistible cupcakes, cakes and other baked goods from tried-and-true family recipes. Crave bakeries are in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon.

 Justine Ma: Four-pack of basketball-inspired greeting cards and card with WNBA pin

Justine Ma is an Edmonton-based creative, specializing in hand lettering and custom decals, prints and home decor. Justine thrives with bright colours, her family and her community, and is committed to helping build a community of inclusivity, equity and authenticity.

• Makeway: “It’s Just Basketball” unisex hoodie and water bottle

Co-founded by Shelby Weaver and Abby Albino, both long-standing members of Toronto’s basketball community, Makeway is North America’s first standalone sneaker and streetwear boutique for women, by women.

• Mallory Tolcher: Laser-cut acrylic backboards with blossom motif and floral basketball rim fine art prints

Mallory Tolcher is a Guelph, ON-based interdisciplinary artist specializing in sculpture and installation. Her art explores the nuances of sport through a female lens, balancing softness and strength through a mix of mediums. Her work has been exhibited around the world.

• Scents by Fay: Candles featuring the WNBA logo crafted out of solid cement and glass

Founded by Toronto-based Furhana Glass-Smith, Scents by Fay is a hobby-turned-business born out of the pandemic, using clean, natural ingredients to create unique candles and handcrafted home décor pieces.

• Small Town Boys: Bespoke handbags constructed out of WNBA jerseys and basketballs

Small Town Boys is the brainchild of Rebecca-jo Dunham-Baruchel and Rashelle Campbell from Toronto and Edmonton, respectively, two best friends who design one-of-a-kind, handmade accessories. Founded in 2022, Small Town Boys represents individuality through bold colours, playful prints, and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour.

 STUDIO S: WNBA concrete court tray, four-pack of concrete coasters and concrete sneaker

Influenced by urban landscapes, STUDIO S is a Toronto-based brand founded by Sylvia Hoang that specializes in creating art from unconventional and industrial materials. Sylvia integrates a passion for fashion, pop and sports culture into her creations.

• The Give & Grow: Plush basketball pillow featuring the WNBA logo in two exclusive colorways

The Give & Grow is a Toronto-based, women-led community centered around growth. Founder Olivia Ho’s vision is to help positively impact the next generation of young girls and women through sport-inspired home decor, in-house wellness workshops, and female mentorship.

“We are thrilled to once again spotlight an incredible group of Canadian entrepreneurs and their products ahead of what promises to be another amazing WNBA Canada Game in Edmonton next month,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Coming off of last year’s historic game in Toronto, there is incredible momentum around women’s basketball in Canada, and thanks to the hard work of these women and their companies, as well as the support of American Express, these products will allow fans across the country to showcase their passion for the WNBA in creative ways.”

“After benefitting from the success of WNBA Goods last year, I’m so grateful to return to the program and join the talented roster of female entrepreneurs participating ahead of the upcoming WNBA game in Edmonton,” said Furhana Glass-Smith, founder, Scents by Fay.  “In a banner year for women’s professional sports, I’m excited to be part of a unique platform designed to empower women through basketball and beyond, thanks to the WNBA and American Express.”

“A top priority at Amex is to work with organizations that spark interest and bring value to our Card Members,” said Vanessa Crooker, Vice President of Brand, Partnerships and Lifestyle Benefits at American Express Canada. “WNBA Goods presented by Amex is a unique opportunity to bring together a Card Member passion point for live sporting events while spotlighting female entrepreneurs looking to grow their small businesses, and we are proud to be part of it.”

Tickets for the 2024 WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine are on sale now at WNBACanadaGame.com. The first WNBA game in Canada on May 13, 2023, in Toronto, set records for attendance, viewership and merchandise sales.

For more information, fans in Canada can follow the WNBA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, and the NBA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. Official WNBA merchandise is available at the NBA Store in Canada at NBAStore.ca. 

About American Express Canada
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. American Express was established in Canada in 1853 and offers a variety of consumer and business products. Learn more at americanexpress.ca and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.

About the WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams and entering its 28^th season in 2024, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content, and community and youth outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it. In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that has charted a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s partnership platform, the WNBA Changemakers Collective, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and NIKE, Inc., and subsequent additions Google, U.S. Bank and CarMax. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing work regarding women’s and maternal health and voting rights, among other important societal issues.