Elissa Cunane Bio
Elissa Cunane is an American professional basketball player who plays for BK Žabiny Brno of the Czech Women’s Basketball League. A 6 ft 5 in center and power forward, she began her professional career after a decorated tenure at NC State, where she earned multiple All-American honors. She was selected by the Seattle Storm in the second round of the 2022 WNBA draft and has since represented the United States in international competition.
Early Life and Background
Elissa Cunane was born on September 25, 2000, in Summerfield, North Carolina. She grew up in a close-knit family and is the daughter of Dan Cunane and Sharon Cunane. She has an older brother named William Paul. Her father is a former Greensboro police sergeant whose life changed dramatically when Elissa was two years old. A bicycle accident left him initially paralyzed from the neck down.
Despite the challenges surrounding the family, Elissa found stability and motivation through athletics. She attended Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she developed into a highly recruited post prospect. During her high school years, she suffered a foot fracture, an injury she later had to manage when she arrived at the college level.
Path to Basketball
Cunane joined the NC State Wolfpack women’s basketball program in 2018, joining an ACC conference that has produced many elite post players. In her freshman season, she came off the bench for the majority of games, gradually earning late-game minutes after an injury to starter Erika Cassell. Her composure on the floor and ability to play through lingering effects of her high school foot fracture marked her as a player to watch.
By her sophomore year, Cunane had taken over as a regular starter. She started 31 of 32 games, posted a near double-double average, set an NC State single-season record with 159 made free throws, and earned Third-team All-American recognition. Her rapid rise positioned her among the top post players in college basketball and set the stage for a dominant junior and senior campaign.
Elissa Cunane Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Cunane’s early college years were defined by steady growth and milestone achievements. As a freshman, she contributed as a reserve and earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2019. She became a more central piece of the Wolfpack rotation in her sophomore year, anchoring the frontcourt with her size, footwork, and touch from the free-throw line. Her 159 made free throws that season remain the school’s single-season record, reflecting her discipline and consistency at the line.
By the end of her sophomore season, she had already earned Third-team All-American honors from the AP and USBWA, along with First-team All-ACC recognition. These early accomplishments signaled that she was on track to become one of the premier centers in the ACC.
NC State Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Cunane’s junior and senior seasons represented the peak of her college career. As a junior, she started all 23 games she appeared in, even after missing roughly a month while recovering from COVID-19. In her return to the floor, she delivered 16 points and 6 rebounds in a 74–60 victory over No. 1 Louisville, announcing herself as a difference-maker against top competition. She added Second-team All-American honors and another First-team All-ACC selection to her growing résumé.
In her senior season, Cunane entered the year as one of the top prospects in the 2022 WNBA draft. She continued to produce at a high level, was named a WBCA Coaches’ All-American, captured her second ACC tournament MVP award, and was recognized as a Second-team All-American for the second consecutive year. She finished her career as a three-time First-team All-ACC pick and one of the most decorated post players in NC State history.
International Career (2021)
Cunane represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup, where the team won the gold medal. She was named to the AmeriCup All-Star team after averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds across the tournament, showcasing her ability to perform on an international stage.
WNBA and BK Žabiny Brno Era (2022–Present)
Cunane was selected by the Seattle Storm in the second round, 17th overall, of the 2022 WNBA draft. She appeared in two preseason games before being released by the Storm. On May 31, 2022, she signed a hardship contract with the Minnesota Lynx, making her WNBA debut the following day against the Atlanta Dream. She played in three games for the Lynx before being released on June 21, 2022.
She signed with BK Žabiny Brno of the Czech Women’s Basketball League, where she has continued her professional career and developed into a featured post player. On February 6, 2025, Cunane signed a training camp contract with the Golden State Valkyries, opening a new chapter in her WNBA journey. She remains active with Brno while pursuing another opportunity stateside.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cunane plays a modern, skill-oriented style for a 6 ft 5 in post. She is a reliable shooter from the free-throw line, a strong finisher around the rim, and a capable passer out of double teams. Her size allows her to rebound on both ends, while her footwork and patience in the post help her score efficiently against bigger international defenders.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature accomplishments are her 2021 FIBA AmeriCup gold medal and All-Star selection, her NC State single-season free-throw record of 159 makes, and her recognition as a two-time Second-team All-American. Her debut for the Minnesota Lynx on June 1, 2022, marked her first regular-season WNBA appearance.
Elissa Cunane Career Highlights
Cunane’s professional record is still in its early chapters, but she has already built a strong résumé at both the collegiate and international levels. Her combination of All-American selections, ACC tournament MVP awards, and a senior international gold medal underscores her consistent excellence from her first college start through her European professional career.
NC State Highlights
At NC State, Cunane was a three-time First-team All-ACC selection, a two-time ACC tournament MVP, a one-time Third-team All-American, a two-time Second-team All-American, a WBCA Coaches’ All-American, and a member of the ACC All-Freshman Team. Her banner moment came in her junior year, when she posted 16 points and 6 rebounds in a win over No. 1 Louisville shortly after returning from a month-long COVID-19 absence.
Other Wins and Performances
Cunane’s standout non-college win came at the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup, where she helped the United States capture gold and was named to the All-Star team after averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds per game.
Elissa Cunane Family
Family Background
Elissa Cunane is the daughter of Dan and Sharon Cunane and the younger sibling of William Paul. Her father, Dan, is a former Greensboro police sergeant whose life was altered by a serious bicycle accident when Elissa was two years old, an injury that initially left him paralyzed from the neck down. He has since regained some use of his lower body and arms, though he continues to use a wheelchair for mobility.
Personal Life
Cunane has spoken about how her father’s perseverance shaped her own approach to basketball and to adversity. She has built her professional life around her playing career, dividing her time between BK Žabiny Brno in the Czech Republic and her pursuits in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks an important transition for Cunane. On February 6, 2025, she signed a training camp contract with the Golden State Valkyries, giving her a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot in the WNBA. At the same time, she continues her role with BK Žabiny Brno, where she is a central figure in the frontcourt and a key contributor in the Czech Women’s Basketball League.
Her 2025 outlook is shaped by her international experience with the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup champions and her continued development in Europe. If she secures a place on the Valkyries roster, she would add WNBA regular-season experience to go along with her brief 2022 stint with the Minnesota Lynx.
Across both leagues, Cunane enters 2025 with momentum, a refined post game, and the discipline of a multi-year professional. Her combination of size, footwork, and free-throw shooting gives her a clear path to contributing wherever her 2025 opportunities take her.