Aaliyah Edwards
Aaliyah Edwards (born July 9, 2002) is a Canadian professional basketball player. She is a Forward for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Edwards was a 2023 Associated Press and USBWA Third Team All-American, 2024 USBWA Second-team All-American, and 2024 WBCA Coaches' All-American.
 Edwards playing for the UConn Huskies in the 2022 NCAA Final Four | |
| No. 3 – Washington Mystics | |
|---|---|
| Forward | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 9 July 2002
(aged 23) Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| High school | Frontenac Secondary School (Kingston, Ontario) Crestwood Prep (Toronto) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 173 lb (78 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UConn (2020–present) |
| NBA Draft | 2024 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall |
| Selected by the Washington Mystics | |
| Pro career | 2024–present |
| League | WNBA |
| Career history | |
| 2024–present | Washington Mystics |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Edwards dyes her braids purple and yellow as a tribute to Kobe Bryant and his "Mamba Mentality".[1]
Career
College
Edwards played basketball first at Frontenac Secondary School before moving to Crestwood Preparatory College for the last two years.[2] She would be recruited to UConn as a five-star recruit.[3]
During her first year at UConn, Edwards would average around 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. She would also be named the Big East Sixth-Woman of the Year and would be named to the Big East All-Freshman Team.[4]
Edwards would breakout and find success during her third year. She would average around 9.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 16.6 points per game. She would named a 2023 Associated Press and USBWA Third Team All-American,[5][6] a member of the 2023 All-Big East First Team,[7] and the Big East Most Improved Player of the Year.[8]
On March 21, 2024, Edwards announced that she would not play her final year at UConn and would instead enter the 2024 WNBA draft.[9]
WNBA
On April 15, 2024, Edwards was selected 6th overall in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft by the Washington Mystics.[10]
Aaliyah Edwards Media
Edwards with the UConn Huskies in 2023
References
- ↑ Canada's Aaliyah Edwards carries 'Mamba Mentality' into freshman season at UConnCBC Sports. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Meet Aaliyah Edwards. She is striving to be Canada’s next WNBA starGlobal News. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Canadian prospect Aaliyah Edwards commits to UConnConnecticut Post. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Bueckers Sweeps BIG EAST Player, Freshman of the Year HonorsBig East Conference. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Boston, Clark headline women's AP All-America teamAssociated Press. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ USBWA unveils 2022-23 women's All-America TeamUnited States Basketball Writers Association. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Huskies Earn Big East End-of-Season HonorsUConn Huskies. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Kingston’s Aaliyah Edwards looks to build on breakout season by winning NCAA titleThe Kingston Whig-Standard. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ UConn's Aaliyah Edwards to bypass final year, enter WNBA draftESPN. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ↑ Mystics Select Aaliyah Edwards with Sixth Pick in 2024 WNBA DraftWashington Mystics. Retrieved April 6, 2024.