South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso is an NBA Academy alum hoping to shine on the NCAA Tournament stage.

The global game is not only surging but is here to stay.

Four of five candidates on Michael C. Wright’s latest Kia MVP Ladder hail from outside the United States, with France’s Victor Wembanyama leading the Kia Rookie Ladder since the start of 2024. 

With NCAA Tournament play beginning on Wednesday, we see a similar pattern for this year’s games. Here are four names to know.

Kamilla Cardoso (South Carolina) 

2018 NBA Academy Women’s Camp (Latin America) 

Cardoso owns the second-most offensive rebounds ever in a single season for South Carolina (134 in 2022-23). She currently has 99.

South Carolina is the only undefeated team in the men’s or women’s NCAA Tournament and it is hungry to keep its streak going. Cardoso has been at the helm leading the Gamecocks in points (14), rebounds (9.5) and blocks (2.6) per game. 

• Projected No. 4 pick in latest ESPN Mock WNBA Mock Draft 2024
• Produced one of the most viral moments of the season, securing this buzzer-beating 3-pointer in South Carolina’s SEC Tournament win over Tennessee. It was her first and only 3-pointer of the season. 

Aliyah Edwards (UConn) 

2019 Next Generation Showcase Tampa Final Four

No. 3 Uconn hosts No. 14 Jackson State at home in Round 1 of Tournament Play on Saturday (1 ET).

Keep an eye on Edwards’ status after a broken nose prevented the 6-foot-3 forward from participating in the Big East championship. However, once she’s back on the court, Edwards’ strength and leadership buoys the Huskies’ roster. 

• Projected No. 5 pick in latest ESPN Mock WNBA Mock Draft 2024
• The 2023 Big East Most Improved Player is on pace for her most efficient season yet — averaging a near-double double (17.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg) in nearly three less minutes per game — and leads the Huskies with a 59% FG%. 

Georgia Amoore (Virginia Tech) 

2019 Next Generation Showcase Tampa Final Four

Amoore ranks No. 5 in NCAA in total assists this season (208), No. 4 for teams competing in the Tournament.

More than 10,000 miles separate Australia from Virginia, but Hokies fans are grateful Amoore made the trip. The crafty 5-foot-6 guard puts viewers in awe with her ability to finish from everywhere on the court. 

• Projected No. 9 pick in latest ESPN Mock WNBA Mock Draft 2024
• Broke single-game records for Virginia Tech in points (39 on March 3) and assists (16 on Nov. 16) this season, and became the first Hokies player to record a triple-double during her four-year tenure (Dec. 1, 2022)

Nika Muhl (UConn) 

2019 Next Generation Showcase Tampa Final Four

Muhl dropped season highs in points (14), steals (4) and 3PM (4) vs. Georgetown on Jan. 7.

The two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 23) from Croatia has a dominant presence in UConn’s backcourt, which is sure to be a driving force in the Portland Regional. 

• Named to the Big East all-tournament team after averaging 7 points and 6.3 assists in UConn’s pursuit to their fourth tournament title since 2021.
• Owns both a single-season (284) and single-game (15) assist record for the Huskies and currently ranks No. 4 in the NCAA in total assists this season (218)

Find the full list of NBA Academy alumni participating in the 2024 women’s NCAA Tournament below: