Aaliyah Edwards Bio
Aaliyah Mckenzie Edwards, born on July 9, 2002, is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Connecticut Sun of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Lunar Owls of Unrivaled. A versatile forward standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), she played college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn) before being selected sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 WNBA draft. Edwards has represented the Canadian national team since 2018, including appearances at the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games.
Known for her interior scoring, rebounding, and growing perimeter game, Edwards has built a reputation as a hard-working post player with a high motor. Her combination of size, footwork, and competitive drive has translated into success at every level she has played.
Early Life and Background
Aaliyah Mckenzie Edwards was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, to Jacqueline and Stanford Edwards. She is of Jamaican descent, and her family provided a strong support system that nurtured her early interest in basketball. Edwards grew up playing the sport in a region of Canada with a deep tradition of producing high-level women’s basketball talent.
She attended Crestwood Preparatory College in Toronto, where she led her school to three championships. Her dominance at the high school level made her one of the most sought-after recruits in her class and set the stage for her move to the United States for college basketball. Outside of basketball, Edwards is a vegetarian and is known for wearing purple and yellow braids as a tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, and her late brother Jermaine.
Path to Basketball
Edwards first gained international attention as a teenager, representing Canada at the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Women’s Americas Championship in Argentina, where she won a silver medal. She then joined the Canadian junior national team for the 2018 U17 FIBA World Cup and the 2019 U19 FIBA World Cup, serving as the youngest player on both squads.
Her rapid development continued with a senior national team debut in 2019 at an exhibition tournament in Belgium, when she was just 16 years old. Later that year, she helped Canada secure a silver medal at the 2019 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. These experiences positioned Edwards as one of the most promising young frontcourt players in the Canadian program and helped attract top NCAA programs to recruit her.
Aaliyah Edwards Career
Early Career (2020-2022)
Edwards began her college career at UConn in 2020, joining one of the most storied programs in women’s college basketball. As a freshman during the 2020-21 season, she earned a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team and was named the Big East Sixth Woman of the Year, signaling her potential as an impact player off the bench.
During her early years, Edwards focused on developing her strength, post moves, and conditioning while adjusting to the speed of the college game. Her dedication to improvement laid the foundation for the breakout that would follow in her junior and senior seasons, as she absorbed the program’s championship-level expectations.
UConn Breakthrough (2022-2024)
As a junior in 2022-23, Edwards elevated her game dramatically, averaging a double-double of 18.3 points and 11 rebounds per game. That season, she became the first UConn player to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game since Maya Moore in 2010. She was named Big East Most Improved Player of the Year, earned first-team All-Big East honors, and was selected as the Big East tournament Most Outstanding Player.
In her senior season of 2023-24, Edwards was again a first-team All-Big East selection and earned second-team All-American recognition from the USBWA, as well as WBCA Coaches’ All-American honors. She helped lead UConn to the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament, cementing her legacy as one of the most productive post players in program history.
Washington Mystics Era (2024-2025)
On April 15, 2024, Edwards was selected in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft as the sixth overall pick by the Washington Mystics. She signed her rookie scale contract three days later and made her professional debut on May 15 against the New York Liberty, recording 6 points and 2 rebounds off the bench. Her first career start came on May 19 against the Seattle Storm, where she posted 9 points and 11 rebounds.
Edwards’ best performance of her rookie season came on June 6, 2024, against the Chicago Sky, when she recorded career highs of 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks. She finished the year having played in 34 games with 17 starts, averaging 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game. In 2025, a back injury cost her the start of the season and limited her role, and on July 1, 2025, it was reported that the Mystics were working to trade her.
Connecticut Sun Era (2025-Present)
On August 7, 2025, Edwards was traded to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Jacy Sheldon and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. She made her Sun debut on August 11 against the Las Vegas Aces, recording 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 17 minutes off the bench. The move offered Edwards a fresh opportunity to expand her role within a new system and roster.
On November 5, 2025, Edwards was drafted by Lunar Owls BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season, adding another platform to showcase her skills during the WNBA offseason. Her transition to Connecticut marks a new chapter focused on continued growth and a more prominent role.
Playing Style and Strengths
Edwards is widely regarded as a physical, rebounding-oriented forward who thrives in the paint. Her strengths include finishing through contact, controlling the defensive glass, and protecting the rim with active shot-blocking. Coaches have praised her footwork in the post and her willingness to battle against larger opponents, and her offensive game has continued to expand with a more reliable mid-range jumper.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Edwards’ career are her 20-20 game at UConn in 2023, her sixth overall selection in the 2024 WNBA draft, and her selection to Canada’s Olympic rosters for both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Her silver medal at the 2019 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup and her bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup further highlight her sustained impact on the international stage.
Aaliyah Edwards Career Highlights
Aaliyah Edwards has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments across college, professional, and international basketball. From her All-American recognition at UConn to her WNBA draft selection and her appearances at two Olympic Games, her career has been marked by consistent progression and high-level production.
College Highlights
Edwards wrapped up her UConn career as a two-time first-team All-Big East selection (2023, 2024), a USBWA second-team All-American in 2024, and a third-team All-American in 2023. She was also a WBCA Coaches’ All-American, the Big East Most Improved Player of the Year in 2023, and the Big East Sixth Woman of the Year in 2021, finishing her senior year with a Final Four appearance.
Other Wins and Performances
In her rookie WNBA season, Edwards posted a season-high 23 points against the Chicago Sky, and in the inaugural 2025 Unrivaled season, she advanced to the 1v1 finals before falling to league co-founder Napheesa Collier. Internationally, she helped Canada win silver at the 2019 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, bronze at the 2023 edition, and an Americas pre-qualifying title for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Aaliyah Edwards Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Edwards was raised in Kingston, Ontario, by her parents, Jacqueline and Stanford Edwards, in a family of Jamaican descent. Her late brother, Jermaine, remains a meaningful presence in her life, and she honors him by wearing purple and yellow braids during games as a tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant.
Personal Life
Off the court, Edwards is known for her close relationship with her family and her commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle. She has used her growing platform to engage with fans and young players, and she continues to be a prominent representative of Canadian women’s basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 WNBA season was a transitional year for Aaliyah Edwards. She missed the start of the campaign due to a back injury and lost her spot in the Washington Mystics’ rotation to rookie Kiki Iriafen. In 21 appearances for the Mystics, she averaged 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game, struggling to find a consistent rhythm.
Her midseason trade to the Connecticut Sun on August 7 provided a fresh start, and she made her Sun debut on August 11 against the Las Vegas Aces. Although her time in Connecticut was brief in 2025, the move set the stage for a larger role heading into the following season and a clearer opportunity to showcase her development.
Looking ahead, Edwards’ selection by Lunar Owls BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season reflects her continued growth and marketability, while her new home in Connecticut positions her for a potentially significant leap in production. With her health restored and her role expanding, the outlook for the next WNBA campaign is encouraging.
