As part of a live Instagram session on Sunday evening, Kamilla Cardoso, a newcomer to the WNBA, disclosed that she is a sponsored athlete of Nike. The sportswear giant later verified this association with ShoesClub on Monday.
Cardoso, just 23 years old, was chosen by the Chicago Sky as their third overall selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft. While playing for the University of South Carolina, where she led her team to two NCAA titles, Cardoso opted for Under Armour footwear during her games.
The Chicago team is off to a 4-6 start this season. Cardoso, a rookie, missed early games due to a shoulder injury, but has since come back and in her four appearances so far, she's putting up 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in only 16.8 minutes per game.
This season, Cardoso has been wearing the Nike KD 16 basketball shoe, particularly the vibrant "All-Star" version. This model, priced at $160, can be purchased from Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, and the resale platform StockX. Additionally, Nike.com offers other color options of the same shoe.
Cardoso is one of several impressive newcomers to the 2024 WNBA season who have joined the Nike family. Caitlin Clark, a promising young talent, is also a Nike athlete. Furthermore, Nike recently welcomed Alissa Pili as their latest N7 athlete, a program dedicated to supporting and working with Native American and Indigenous populations.
Cardoso and the Sky welcome the Connecticut Sun for a matchup on Wednesday, with the action set to be broadcast live on WNBA League Pass at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.