Kamilla Cardoso

Who Is Kamilla Cardoso?

Kamilla Cardoso is a Brazilian professional basketball player. She was born on April 30, 2001, in Montes Claros, Brazil. She plays the center position for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA and wears jersey number 10.

Standing at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). She has won two NCAA championships, earned the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award in 2024, and received the WCBA International Player of the Year award for the 2025 season. Furthermore, she is a two-time FIBA gold medalist representing Brazil.

Early Life: From Montes Claros to America

Growing Up in Brazil

Kamilla Soares Cardoso was born and raised in Montes Claros, Brazil. She grew up under the care of her mother, Janete Soares, along with her sister, Jessica.

From an early age, it was clear that Kamilla had exceptional physical gifts. However, her path to basketball greatness required courage — including leaving everything she knew behind.

Moving to America at 15

In 2016, just after turning 15 years old, Kamilla Cardoso moved to the United States. At that point, she reportedly knew only four words in English. Despite this, she adapted and pushed forward with relentless determination.

She enrolled at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, she played varsity girls’ basketball and earned recognition as a McDonald’s All-American — one of the most prestigious honors in American high school basketball.

College Career: Building a Dynasty

Syracuse University (2020–2021)

Kamilla Cardoso began her collegiate basketball career at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, where she played 24 games and scored 13.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.

Her freshman impact was immediate. She earned ACC Freshman of the Year and co-Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2020-21, along with a spot on the All-ACC First Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team.

Transferring to South Carolina (2021–2024)

After her freshman year, Kamilla made a pivotal decision. She transferred to the University of South Carolina to play for the legendary coach Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

NCAA Championship 2022

In her first season with South Carolina, Kamilla helped lead the Gamecocks to the 2022 NCAA National Championship. The team defeated the UConn Huskies to claim the title. It was her first ring — but not her last.

Growing as a Leader (2022–2023)

In 2023, she earned SEC Sixth Woman of the Year, Second-Team All-SEC, and Honorable Mention All-America recognition. Moreover, she continued developing her offensive game while remaining one of the most feared defenders in college basketball.

The Historic 2024 Championship

South Carolina finished the 2023-24 season 38-0, completing a perfect undefeated campaign. Kamilla Cardoso scored 15 points and grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds to lead the Gamecocks to their third women’s basketball national title in a dominant victory over Iowa.

On April 7, 2024, Cardoso was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player following a dominant 15-point, 17-rebound performance in the national championship win.

She then walked across the stage at graduation shortly after the draft, having majored in psychology.

College Award Summary

Her college career highlights include two NCAA Championships (2022, 2024), SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2024), First-Team All-SEC (2024), ACC Freshman of the Year (2020-21), and McDonald’s All-American (2020).

WNBA Career: Arriving as a Pro

The 2024 WNBA Draft

Kamilla Cardoso was selected 3rd overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She was the highest-drafted Brazilian player in WNBA history. Only Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever, 1st overall) and Cameron Brink (Los Angeles Sparks, 2nd overall) were picked ahead of her.

She became the 15th Brazilian woman in WNBA history.

2024 WNBA Rookie Season

Kamilla stepped into an immediate leadership role with the Sky. After the Sky starting center Elizabeth Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury, Cardoso was slotted into the starting lineup.

In 2024, she appeared in 32 games, averaging 27.4 minutes, 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and shooting 52.1% from the field. Therefore, she immediately proved she belonged at the professional level.

She earned a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2024.

2025 WNBA Season: Taking the Next Step

In the 2025 season, Cardoso appeared in 40 games, starting 39. She averaged 13.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game — significant improvements across the board from her rookie season.

On August 22, 2025, Kamilla Cardoso set her career high in efficiency rating in a WNBA game. She also grabbed 15 rebounds in Chicago’s road win against New York.

Her second WNBA season confirmed that she was one of the best young centers in the league.

2026 WNBA Season: Career Highs

On June 27, 2026, Kamilla Cardoso set her career high in points in a WNBA game. She scored 30 points in Chicago’s home win against Portland Fire, 124-94. Additionally, on June 3, 2026, she set her career high in blocks in a WNBA game, recording 6 blocks against the Washington Mystics.

WNBA Contract

Kamilla Cardoso signed a 4-year, $338,056 rookie contract with the Chicago Sky, with an average annual salary of $84,514. She will become a restricted free agent in 2028.

Overseas Career: Dominating in China

Shanghai Swordfish (2024–2025)

During the WNBA off-season, Kamilla signed with the Shanghai Swordfish of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) for the 2024-25 season.

She was awarded the WCBA International Player of the Year for the 2025 season. She guaranteed the foreign MVP prize with double-double averages and incredible performances throughout the season.

Guangdong Vermilion Birds (2025–2026)

She signed with the Guangdong Vermilion Birds of the WCBA for the 2025-26 season, continuing her dominance in the Chinese league while maintaining her status as one of the most sought-after centers in international women’s basketball.

International Career: Representing Brazil

South American Championship (2022)

Cardoso won a gold medal and earned MVP honors at the 2022 South American Basketball Championship in Argentina. This was her first major international honor — the first of many.

FIBA AmeriCup (2023)

Cardoso has proudly represented Brazil’s national team, leading her country to the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup gold medal as that tournament’s MVP.

In the AmeriCup final, she delivered a stunning 20-point, 11-rebound double-double against the USA. Because of this performance, she announced herself as one of the best centers in the entire Western Hemisphere.

2024 Paris Olympics

Cardoso led Brazil to a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. This was one of the most celebrated achievements in modern Brazilian women’s basketball. She helped end Brazil’s eight-year drought at the world level.

Career Statistics at a Glance

WNBA Regular Season Stats

Season	Team	G	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	BLK	FG%
2024	Chicago Sky	32	27.4	9.8	7.9	1.7	1.4	52.1%
2025	Chicago Sky	40	27.6	13.6	8.5	2.5	1.2	52.8%

Career Records (WNBA)

Record	Performance	Date
Career High Points	30 pts vs. Portland Fire	June 27, 2026
Career High Rebounds	15 reb vs. New York	August 22, 2025
Career High Blocks	6 blk vs. Washington Mystics	June 3, 2026
Career High Assists	6 ast vs. Washington Mystics	August 29, 2024

Personal Life

Kamilla’s mother, Janete Soares, remains in Montes Claros, Brazil. Her sister Jessica has also been part of her support system.

Her parents had never seen her play in person in the United States until her mom and sister arrived for South Carolina’s senior day early in 2024. That moment — family watching from the stands as she cut down the nets — remains one of the most emotional chapters of her story.

She is active on Instagram under the handle @kamilla_cardoso, where she shares moments from her life on and off the court.

Awards and Honors

Year	Award
2020	McDonald’s All-American
2021	ACC Freshman of the Year
2021	ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year
2022	NCAA Champion (South Carolina)
2022	South American Championship Gold Medal + MVP
2023	FIBA AmeriCup Gold Medal + MVP
2023	SEC Sixth Woman of the Year
2024	NCAA Champion (South Carolina) — undefeated season
2024	NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
2024	SEC Defensive Player of the Year
2024	First-Team All-SEC
2024	WBCA National Defensive Player of the Year
2024	WNBA All-Rookie Team
2024	2024 Paris Olympics Gold Medal (Brazil)
2025	WCBA International Player of the Year (Shanghai Swordfish)