Alissa Pili Bio
Alissa Katelina Pili, born on June 8, 2001, in Anchorage, Alaska, is an American professional basketball player who competes as a small forward for the Geelong Venom in Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). She is of Samoan and Inupiaq heritage, and her Indigenous and Polynesian background has become a defining part of her public identity. Pili rose to national attention as a two-time college All-American before being selected eighth overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Early Life and Background
Alissa Katelina Pili was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Heather and Billy Pili. She grew up in a family with strong athletic roots and is of Samoan and Inupiaq descent, a heritage she has consistently highlighted throughout her career. Before ever picking up a basketball, Pili played football as a lineman from third through eighth grade, often as the only girl in her league, which helped build her toughness and physical style of play.
She began playing organized basketball at the age of eight and quickly excelled. Pili attended Dimond High School in Anchorage, where she led the program to two state championships and set the Class 4A all-time scoring record. She was a three-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year and won 13 state titles across multiple sports, including basketball, volleyball, shot put, discus, and wrestling. In her final two high school seasons, she was named MaxPreps Female High School Athlete of the Year, joining swimmer Missy Franklin as the only two-time recipients of that award. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, Pili committed to play college basketball at USC.
Path to Basketball
Even before college, Pili’s path to basketball was unusual. Her early years as a football lineman gave her a physical edge uncommon for young female players, and her multi-sport dominance in high school demonstrated exceptional hand-eye coordination and competitive drive. The combination of size, strength, and skill made her one of the most highly recruited women’s basketball prospects in the country.
Her decision to attend USC marked the beginning of her climb through the collegiate ranks. Surrounded by elite coaching and competition in the Pac-12 Conference, Pili was given an immediate opportunity to contribute as a freshman. Her rapid development at USC, followed by a transfer to Utah for her senior season, reflected her drive to keep pushing her game to a higher level and positioned her for a successful professional career.
Alissa Pili Career
Early Career at USC (2019–2022)
Alissa Katelina Pili entered USC as the team’s starting forward and made an instant impact. On February 23, 2020, she recorded a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds in a 66–60 win over Washington State. As a freshman, she averaged 16.3 points and eight rebounds per game, earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors and a place on the All-Pac-12 Team.
Her sophomore season was disrupted by an ankle injury that kept her out of the first 10 games. Despite the setback, she averaged 11 points and 3.8 rebounds per game and received All-Pac-12 honorable mention. In her junior year, Pili averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game before deciding to enter the transfer portal, opening the door to a fresh start at Utah.
Utah Utes Breakthrough (2022–2024)
For her final season of college eligibility, Pili transferred to the Utah Utes and delivered the best year of her career. She was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and earned All-Pac-12 honors after helping her team secure a share of the Pac-12 regular-season title. Pili was a second-team All-American selection by both the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association, and was also named to the WBCA Coaches’ All-American team.
In her lone season at Utah, Pili averaged 20.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, and led the Utes to an at-large bid in the 2024 NCAA tournament, where they reached the second round. Her 37-point performance against South Carolina on December 10, 2023, drew praise from Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley, who said, “We can’t stop her,” after the game.
Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks Era (2024–2025)
Pili was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. The team welcomed her with an event that introduced her to local Indigenous and Polynesian communities, including Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and former NFL player Esera Tuaolo. She made her WNBA debut on May 14, 2024, against the Seattle Storm, playing 10 minutes and grabbing one rebound, and scored her first professional points three days later at Target Center.
On May 31, 2024, Pili scored 20 points off the bench against the Phoenix Mercury, becoming the 10th WNBA rookie to score 20 or more points while shooting perfectly from three-point range on four or more attempts. She was the fourth rookie in league history to record 20-plus points and four or more three-pointers while shooting 75 percent or better from the field and 100 percent from beyond the arc, and the only one of that group to do so as a reserve. On July 12, 2025, Pili was waived by the Lynx, and on August 3, 2025, she signed with the Los Angeles Sparks on a 7-day contract.
Geelong Venom Era (2025–Present)
On September 2, 2025, Pili signed with the Geelong Venom of Australia’s WNBL for the 2025–26 season, expanding her professional career internationally. The move represented an opportunity to continue developing her game in a new league and on a different stage, further building on her rookie WNBA experience with the Lynx and Sparks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Alissa Katelina Pili is a physical, versatile forward whose game was shaped by her early years as a football lineman. She combines strength in the post with an effective outside shot, allowing her to score from multiple spots on the floor. Her rebounding, shot-blocking, and ability to stretch defenses with her three-point shooting make her a difficult matchup for opposing teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key career milestones include her 32-point, 12-rebound performance against Washington State as a freshman, her 37-point game against South Carolina during the 2023-24 season, and her 20-point debut-style performance off the bench for the Lynx. She was part of the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship run with the Lynx and signed an endorsement deal with Nike for its Indigenous-focused N7 collection on June 7, 2024.
Alissa Pili Career Wins
Alissa Katelina Pili’s most significant team accomplishment came as a member of the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champion Minnesota Lynx. She has also won two high school state championships with Dimond and claimed 13 state titles across multiple sports. Her collegiate accolades include Pac-12 Player of the Year, two All-American selections, and three All-Pac-12 Team honors.
WNBA Highlights
Pili’s rookie season with the Minnesota Lynx included a signature 20-point performance off the bench against the Phoenix Mercury, placing her name in the WNBA record book for efficient scoring by a rookie. She was part of the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup winning squad with the Lynx and later joined the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her professional career, Pili has competed in Athletes Unlimited during the 2025 season, playing on behalf of the Arctic Education Foundation. At the high school level, she was a two-time state champion in basketball and a three-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year.
Alissa Pili Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alissa Katelina Pili is the daughter of Billy Pili and Heather Pili, and she is of Samoan and Inupiaq descent. Her older brother, Brandon Pili, played football at USC as a defensive lineman and currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League, giving the family a strong athletic pedigree across multiple sports.
Personal Life
Pili has embraced her role as a representative of Indigenous and Polynesian communities. More than 100 people of Samoan heritage attended her first home game with the Minnesota Lynx to show their support, and her mother, Heather Pili, has spoken publicly about the inspiration her daughter provides to Native communities. For the WNBA Draft, Pili worked with designer Jason Vu on a dress that showcased her Samoan culture, with traditional designs on the skirt and cutouts to highlight her tribal tattoos.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Alissa Katelina Pili. After being waived by the Minnesota Lynx on July 12, 2025, she signed with the Los Angeles Sparks on August 3, 2025, on a 7-day contract, giving her a brief but valuable WNBA opportunity. Her time with the Sparks allowed her to continue gaining professional experience on one of the league’s biggest stages.
On September 2, 2025, Pili signed with the Geelong Venom of Australia’s WNBL for the 2025–26 season, marking her first full professional campaign outside the United States. Playing in the WNBL gives Pili a chance to log significant minutes, develop her offensive game, and build momentum heading into future WNBA seasons.
Looking beyond the current WNBL season, Pili remains a young and physically gifted forward with a strong professional résumé. Her combination of post strength, perimeter shooting, and high-level college experience makes her an attractive prospect for WNBA teams in future seasons, and her international stint with Geelong is expected to sharpen her overall game.
