Kamilla Cardoso Bio
Kamilla Soares Cardoso (born 30 April 2001) is a Brazilian professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Guangdong Vermilion Birds of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). She played college basketball at Syracuse and South Carolina. Cardoso won two national championships with South Carolina in 2022 and 2024, and was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2024. She was selected third overall in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky.
Early Life and Background
Kamilla Cardoso was born in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. She played high school basketball for Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a senior, she averaged 24.1 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 9.2 blocks per game. Cardoso was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Rated a five-star recruit and the number five player in her class by ESPN, she committed to playing college basketball for Syracuse over offers from UConn, Ohio State, Mississippi State, and South Carolina. She was the highest-rated recruit in program history.
Path to Basketball
As a freshman at Syracuse, Kamilla Cardoso was the team’s starting center, averaging 13.6 points, eight rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. She became the first player in program history to win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Year award. Cardoso shared ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named first-team All-ACC by the Blue Ribbon Panel. After her freshman season, she transferred to South Carolina, where she contributed to the team’s national championship win in 2022. In her junior season, she averaged 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game off the bench, earning accolades such as SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and second-team All-SEC.
Kamilla Cardoso Career
Early Career (2020–2024)
Kamilla Cardoso began her professional career in 2024 after being drafted by the Chicago Sky. In her rookie season, she averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, ranking second in the league in offensive rebounds per game. After suffering a shoulder injury early in the season, she made her debut on June 1, 2024, and later became a starter after an injury to her teammate. Cardoso was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team following her first season.
Breakthrough (2024–Present)
In the 2025 season, Kamilla Cardoso appeared in 40 games, starting 39. She achieved a career-high of 27 points in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Cardoso’s performance in the 2025 season included averages of 13.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, all career-highs. She also signed with the Shanghai Swordfish of the WCBA for the 2024–25 season, where she was awarded the International Player of the Year for the 2025 season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kamilla Cardoso’s signature achievements include being a two-time NCAA champion and winning the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award in 2024. She has also been recognized as the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year and has earned multiple All-American honors in 2024.
Kamilla Cardoso Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Kamilla Cardoso has received numerous nominations, including accolades for her performance in college and professional basketball.
Kamilla Cardoso Awards Won
Kamilla Cardoso has won several prestigious awards, including the WCBA International Player of the Year in 2025, the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2024, and multiple NCAA championships. Her achievements reflect her outstanding contributions to the sport of basketball.
Kamilla Cardoso Family
Information regarding Kamilla Cardoso’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Kamilla Cardoso’s personal life, including her relationships and children, are not publicly disclosed.