South Carolina basketball alum Kamilla Cardoso at the WNBA Draft last month

On Friday night, South Carolina basketball enthusiasts were left disheartened as they discovered that the preseason showdown between the Minnesota Lynx and the Minnesota Sky was inaccessible for viewing or streaming. This meant that the highly anticipated professional debut of Kamilla Cardoso could only be savored by those fortunate enough to be in attendance at Minneapolis.

Chicago Sky: Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese finally teammates

The absence of televised or streamed coverage struck many as peculiar, especially given the significance of the occasion. Cardoso and Angel Reese were both making their pro debuts for the Sky, sporting the #10 jersey, a nostalgic nod to their collegiate rivalry. Adding to the intrigue, Teresa Weatherspoon, a revered Hall of Fame player, was coaching her inaugural WNBA game. Despite the weight of these storylines, the game remained out of reach for the broader audience.

However, one ardent Minnesota Lynx supporter, known by the Twitter/X handle @heyheyitsalli, took it upon herself to rectify the situation by initiating a live stream on her mobile device. The response from WNBA aficionados was nothing short of remarkable. Nearly 200,000 viewers flocked to the social media platform to catch a glimpse of the preseason clash.

Angel Reese catches Kamilla Cardoso off guard during Chicago Sky's intense practice session | Marca

While the Lynx ultimately clinched the preseason victory with a score of 92-81, the staggering streaming figures served as a testament to the burgeoning popularity of women’s basketball, shining a spotlight on the pivotal role played by South Carolina basketball luminaries such as Kamilla Cardoso.

Despite logging just 13 minutes on the court due to injury, Cardoso left an indelible mark on the game, tallying 6 points on 3-5 shooting, snatching 4 rebounds, swatting away 2 shots, distributing an assist, and nabbing a steal. Coach Weatherspoon moved swiftly to allay any concerns, assuring fans that Cardoso’s injury was minor and her removal from the game was merely a precautionary measure following a tough fall.

Looking ahead, anticipation mounts for the rematch between the Sky and the Lynx, slated to kick off their regular-season campaign on May 19th in Minneapolis.