Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon Bio
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Laces of Unrivaled. She played college basketball at the University of Michigan, where she is the all-time leader in rebounds, double-doubles, and free throws made. As a junior, she was named a first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year. Hillmon also represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, winning a gold medal.
Early Life and Background
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon was born on April 5, 2000, in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio, where she played four varsity seasons of basketball. Hillmon started in all 116 career games and amassed 2,057 points and 1,607 rebounds, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. During her senior year, she averaged 21 points, 14 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game, leading her team to their first OHSAA Division III state championship. Her outstanding performance earned her multiple accolades, including the Division III Northeast Lakes All-District Player of the Year and All-Ohio Co-Player of the Year. Following her high school career, Hillmon committed to play basketball at the University of Michigan on July 4, 2017.
Path to Basketball
Hillmon’s college career began during the 2018–19 season when she played for the Michigan Wolverines. She appeared in all 34 games, averaging a team-high 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Her performance earned her several honors, including Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year. In her sophomore season, Hillmon started all 32 games and scored in double figures 28 times, solidifying her reputation as a key player for the Wolverines. By her junior year, she had become a dominant force in college basketball, recording a career-high 50 points in a single game, which set the all-time scoring record for the Michigan program. Hillmon’s senior season further showcased her talent, as she became the first player in Michigan history to score 2,000 points and record 1,000 rebounds.
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon Career
Early Career (2022–Present)
In April 2022, Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon was drafted in the second round as the 15th overall pick by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA draft, marking her as Michigan’s highest WNBA draft pick ever. During her rookie season, she averaged 4.4 points and 5.1 rebounds over 34 games, setting a franchise rookie rebounding record with 172 rebounds. Hillmon continued to develop her skills and became a significant contributor to the Dream’s roster.
Breakthrough (2025)
Hillmon’s breakthrough came during the 2025 WNBA season, where she averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. She made 53 three-pointers, a significant improvement from her previous seasons. Coming off the bench in 27 of the Dream’s 44 games, she set a franchise record by appearing in 150 consecutive games. Her performance earned her the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award, highlighting her impact on the team’s success.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout her career, Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon has achieved numerous accolades, including being named to the All-WNBL First Team and the All-WNBL Second Team. She has also been recognized as a two-time First-team All-American and has received multiple honors from the Big Ten Conference, including Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team selections.
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Hillmon has received several nominations for prestigious awards, reflecting her outstanding performance on the court and her contributions to the sport.
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon Awards Won
Hillmon has won multiple awards during her basketball career, including the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year and several All-American honors. Her achievements in college basketball have solidified her status as one of the top players in the sport.
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon Family
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon’s family background includes a strong connection to basketball. Her mother, NaSheema Hillmon, played college basketball at Vanderbilt and professionally for the Nashville Noise in the American Basketball League. Hillmon is also the niece of professional basketball player Jawad Williams.
Personal Life
While details about her personal life are limited, Hillmon’s family background in basketball has undoubtedly influenced her career. She continues to focus on her professional journey in the WNBA and beyond.
