Kamilla Soares Cardoso’s journey from Montes Claros, Brazil, to the pinnacle of college basketball in the United States is a testament to her incredible talent and determination. Born on April 30, 2001, Cardoso honed her skills at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she dominated the court with averages of 24.1 points, 15.8 rebounds, and an astonishing 9.2 blocks per game during her senior year. This outstanding performance secured her spots in prestigious high school showcases such as the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Rated a five-star recruit and the fifth overall player in her class by ESPN, Cardoso made history as the highest-rated recruit to commit to Syracuse, choosing them over other top programs.
Cardoso’s impact was immediate at Syracuse, where she started as the center and quickly became the first player in program history to win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Year award. Her remarkable freshman season averages of 13.6 points, eight rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game also earned her shared ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and a first-team All-ACC selection. Her sophomore year saw a new chapter at South Carolina, where she played a key role off the bench in helping the team clinch the national championship. By her junior season, Cardoso’s contributions were further recognized with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Sixth Woman of the Year and second-team All-SEC honors, reflecting her vital presence in the Gamecocks’ lineup.
On the international stage, Cardoso has been a proud representative of Brazil, contributing significantly to her national team’s successes. She showcased her talents at the 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, leading Brazil to a bronze medal. Her dominance continued at the 2022 South American Basketball Championship in Argentina, where she clinched a gold medal and MVP honors. Cardoso’s remarkable performances culminated at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Mexico, where she again led Brazil to gold, earning MVP honors and making a decisive impact in the final against the United States.