Crystal Dangerfield Bio
Crystal Simone Dangerfield is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. After a high school career that made her the nation’s top-ranked point guard, she played college basketball for the UConn Huskies. Dangerfield was drafted in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, where she was named WNBA Rookie of the Year after leading the team in scoring. At 5’5″, for the 2024 season, she is the shortest player in the WNBA.
Early Life and Background
Crystal Dangerfield was born on May 11, 1998, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is the youngest daughter of Christopher and Davonna Dangerfield, both of whom served in the U.S. Army. Crystal has an older brother, Komar, and a sister, Brooke. She began playing basketball at the age of five, showing early promise in the sport.
Dangerfield attended Blackman High School, where she was an honor roll student and part of the collegiate academy. As the starting point guard for four years, she led her team to state championships in 2015 and 2016. Her exceptional performance earned her numerous accolades, including being named Miss Basketball Tennessee in her junior and senior years.
Path to Basketball
During her high school career, Crystal Dangerfield was recognized as the best point guard in the women’s class of 2016 by ESPNW. She was a finalist for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award and received the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year title. After high school, she was recruited by the University of Connecticut, where she played from 2016 to 2020.
At UConn, Dangerfield faced challenges, including offseason surgeries and injuries, but she emerged as a key player. She was named an Honorable Mention All-American and earned multiple All-Conference selections throughout her college career, ranking sixth in assists and ninth in three-pointers made among UConn women’s basketball players.
Crystal Dangerfield Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Crystal Dangerfield was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Initially expected to serve as a backup, she quickly became the starting point guard due to injuries on the team. In her rookie season, she averaged 16.2 points per game and was recognized as the WNBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the lowest draft pick ever to receive this honor.
During her time with the Lynx, Dangerfield also received multiple Rookie of the Month awards, showcasing her scoring ability and playmaking skills. She was a vital contributor to the team’s success, leading them in scoring during her rookie year.
Breakthrough (2022–2024)
After her successful rookie season, Dangerfield signed hardship contracts with the Indiana Fever and later the New York Liberty in 2022. She continued to showcase her talent, contributing to her teams despite the challenges of frequent team changes. In 2023, she was traded to the Dallas Wings, where she continued to develop her skills.
In 2024, Dangerfield was traded to the Atlanta Dream but was waived after appearing in fifteen games. Later that year, she signed a hardship contract with the Los Angeles Sparks, demonstrating her resilience and determination to succeed in the league.
Notable Works and Milestones
Crystal Dangerfield’s signature achievements include being named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team. She has also been recognized as a two-time First-Team All-American Athletic Conference player and won the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year award in 2016.
Crystal Dangerfield Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Crystal Dangerfield has received several nominations and accolades, including being named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team and earning multiple All-Conference selections during her college career.
Crystal Dangerfield Awards Won
Crystal Dangerfield has won notable awards, including the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year in 2016. She has also been recognized as a two-time First-Team All-American Athletic Conference player.
Crystal Dangerfield Family
Crystal Dangerfield is the youngest child of Christopher and Davonna Dangerfield. She has two siblings, an older brother named Komar and a sister named Brooke. Her family has been supportive of her basketball career from a young age.
Personal Life
In addition to her basketball career, Dangerfield is actively involved in charitable work, supporting organizations that assist children and families in need. She is also openly a lesbian, contributing to discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in sports.
