Nike Basketball has announced its latest additions to the roster with seven WNBA rookies. Charli Collier, Rennia Davis, Awak Kuier, Aari McDonald, Michaela Onyenwere, DiDi Richards, and Iliana Rupert join the Swoosh as the WNBA’s 25th season is on the horizon.
“This is a pivotal year for the WNBA and an empowering time for women’s basketball,” Tanya Hvizdak, VP of Global Women’s Sports Marketing said. “We’re excited for these seven strong and influential athletes to join our extensive Nike roster, and we look forward to growing the game together.”
Read more about each rookie before the season tips off on May 13.
- Charli Collier, Dallas Wings, Center: The resilient No. 1 pick, 6-foot-5 center was drafted after her junior year at the University of Texas, where she was the only NCAA Division 1 player to average 20.0 points per game and 12.0 rebounds per game.
- Rennia Davis, Minnesota Lynx, Guard: Drafted 9th overall from the University of Tennessee, Rennia is one of only four players in Lady Vol history to rank in the career top 10 in points, points per game, rebounds and rebounds per game.
- Awak Kuier, Dallas Wings, Forward: The Egyptian-born Sudanese and No. 2 pick, Awak is joining the WNBA from Finland, where she dominated at the Helsinki Basketball Academy before turning pro in Italy, playing for Virtus Eirene Ragusa.
- Aari McDonald, Atlanta Dream, Point Guard: The No. 3 pick took center court during the NCAA tournament when she led the Arizona Wildcats on an incredible run to the Championship game.
- Michaela Onyenwere, New York Liberty, Forward: Drafted 6th overall, the two-time All-American is the fourth-highest scorer in UCLA history, averaging 19.1 points in 2020-21.
- DiDi Richards, New York Liberty, Guard: Didi acquired many awards in her four years at Baylor University, highlighted by winning the 2020 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.
- Iliana Rupert, Las Vegas Aces, Forward: Drafted 12th overall, Iliana joins the WNBA from France where she played for the Tango Bourges Basket and the French national team.