Alissa Pili Bio
Alissa Katelina Pili, born on June 8, 2001, in Anchorage, Alaska, is an American professional basketball player who currently competes for the Geelong Venom in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia. Standing 180 cm tall, she plays primarily as a small forward and is recognized for her scoring ability, athleticism, and cultural pride. A member of the Nike N7 ambassador program, Pili has emerged as a prominent role model for Indigenous and Polynesian communities across the United States and the Pacific.
After a distinguished college career split between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes, Alissa Katelina Pili was selected eighth overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She has since played for the Los Angeles Sparks and currently represents the Geelong Venom, continuing to build her professional resume in multiple international leagues.
Early Life and Background
Alissa Katelina Pili was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, by her parents, Heather Pili and Billy Pili. She is of Samoan and Inupiaq descent, a heritage that has shaped her identity both on and off the court. Growing up in a family with a strong athletic tradition, Pili was introduced to sports at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her future success in basketball.
Before focusing on basketball, Pili played football as a lineman from third to eighth grade, often serving as the only girl in her league. She began playing organized basketball at age eight and quickly distinguished herself as a multi-sport athlete. Her brother, Brandon Pili, also pursued athletics at a high level, playing football as a defensive lineman for USC and later joining the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.
Pili attended Dimond High School in Anchorage, where she became one of the most decorated athletes in the school’s history. She led Dimond to two state basketball championships, set the Class 4A all-time scoring record, and was a three-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year. Across all sports, Pili won 13 state titles at Dimond, including four in volleyball, four in shot put, two in discus, and one in wrestling. She was twice named MaxPreps Female High School Athlete of the Year, joining Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin as the only two-time recipients of the award.
Path to Basketball
Rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN, Alissa Katelina Pili committed to playing college basketball for the USC Trojans. Her path to the sport was shaped by a combination of family support, community encouragement, and personal determination. Despite facing limited opportunities in girls’ tackle football, Pili’s athletic foundation from multi-sport competition gave her a unique physical edge once she concentrated on basketball.
At USC, Pili immediately made an impact as a freshman starter, averaging 16.3 points and eight rebounds per game during the 2019-20 season. She was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and earned a place on the All-Pac-12 Team, signaling her arrival as one of the conference’s brightest young talents. Her subsequent seasons at USC were affected by injury and roster changes, leading her to enter the transfer portal after her junior year.
Alissa Pili Career
Early Career (2019-2022)
Alissa Katelina Pili began her collegiate career with the USC Trojans in 2019, quickly becoming a focal point of the team’s offense. As a freshman, she recorded a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds in a 66-60 win over Washington State on February 23, 2020, establishing herself as a dominant post presence. Her play earned her Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Pac-12 Team.
Her sophomore and junior seasons at USC were marked by an ankle injury that sidelined her for the first 10 games of her sophomore year, but she continued to contribute when healthy, averaging 11 points and 3.8 rebounds as a sophomore and 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds as a junior. Following her junior campaign, Pili entered the transfer portal seeking a fresh opportunity to lead a program.
Utah Utes Breakthrough (2023-2024)
For her final season of college eligibility, Alissa Katelina Pili transferred to the Utah Utes for the 2023-24 campaign. She delivered one of the most impressive individual seasons in program history, leading Utah to a share of the Pac-12 regular-season title. Pili was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, earned All-Pac-12 honors, and was selected as a second-team All-American by both the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association, while also making the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Coaches’ All-America team.
Averaging 20.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, Pili was a consistent offensive engine for the Utes. She scored 37 points in a December 10, 2023, Hall of Fame showcase game against South Carolina, prompting Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley to remark, “We can’t stop her.” Utah earned an at-large bid to the 2024 NCAA tournament and advanced to the second round before being eliminated.
Minnesota Lynx Era (2024-2025)
Selected eighth overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Alissa Katelina Pili was welcomed to the organization with a community event celebrating her Indigenous and Polynesian heritage. More than 100 people of Samoan heritage attended her first home game at Target Center to support her. She made her WNBA debut on May 14, 2024, against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena, playing 10 minutes and recording one rebound, and scored her first WNBA points three days later at Target Center with five points and two rebounds.
On May 31, 2024, Pili became the 10th WNBA rookie to score 20 or more points while shooting perfectly from three-point range with four or more made threes, doing so against the Phoenix Mercury. She also became only the fourth WNBA rookie to score 20 or more points with four or more threes while shooting 75 percent or better from the field and perfect from deep, and the only one of those four to accomplish the feat off the bench. The Lynx won the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup during her rookie campaign. On July 12, 2025, Pili was waived by the Lynx, and she later signed a seven-day contract with the Los Angeles Sparks on August 3, 2025.
Geelong Venom and International Play (2025-Present)
On September 2, 2025, Alissa Katelina Pili signed with the Geelong Venom of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League for the 2025-26 season, expanding her professional career to the international stage. She also played the 2025 Athletes Unlimited season, choosing to compete on behalf of the Arctic Education Foundation, a non-profit supporting Indigenous communities.
Pili’s global journey reflects her commitment to growing the game and representing her cultural background wherever she plays. Her move to Australia allows her to continue developing her game against high-level competition during the WNBA offseason.
Driving Style and Strengths
Alissa Katelina Pili is recognized for her scoring versatility, footwork in the post, and ability to stretch the floor as a three-point shooter. Her background in football and track-and-field events has contributed to her physicality, balance, and finishing ability around the rim. She pairs interior scoring instincts with the range to punish defenses from beyond the arc.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Alissa Katelina Pili’s most notable achievements are her Pac-12 Player of the Year award in 2023-24, her 37-point performance against South Carolina, and her historic rookie shooting display against the Phoenix Mercury. She is also a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champion with the Minnesota Lynx and a two-time MaxPreps Female High School Athlete of the Year, joining Missy Franklin as the only two-time recipient of that honor.
Alissa Pili Career Wins
Alissa Katelina Pili has compiled a decorated list of accomplishments across high school, college, and professional basketball. Her high school success included two state championships and a Class 4A all-time scoring record, while her college career featured a Pac-12 Player of the Year award and multiple All-America selections. In the WNBA, she won the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup as a member of the Minnesota Lynx.
WNBA Highlights
Alissa Katelina Pili’s rookie season with the Minnesota Lynx in 2024 was highlighted by her record-setting shooting performance against the Phoenix Mercury and her role in the team’s Commissioner’s Cup title. After being waived in July 2025, she joined the Los Angeles Sparks on a seven-day contract in August 2025, continuing her presence in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to her WNBA achievements, Pili won 13 state titles across multiple sports at Dimond High School in Anchorage, including championships in basketball, volleyball, shot put, discus, and wrestling. She is also a two-time MaxPreps Female High School Athlete of the Year, a three-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year, and a second-team All-American at the collegiate level.
Alissa Pili Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alissa Katelina Pili was born to Heather Pili and Billy Pili and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, where she is of Samoan and Inupiaq descent. Her family has been central to her athletic development and cultural identity. Her older brother, Brandon Pili, played football as a defensive lineman for USC and currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League, continuing the family’s tradition of competitive sports.
Personal Life
Alissa Katelina Pili has used her platform to advocate for Indigenous and Polynesian representation in sports. For the 2024 WNBA Draft, she worked with designer Jason Vu to create a dress featuring Samoan designs that highlighted her tribal tattoos, a gesture she described as a way to represent her community with pride. Her mother, Heather Pili, has spoken publicly about the emotional impact of seeing her daughter draw large crowds of Native and Pacific Islander fans to her games. Pili is not publicly known to be married and has no publicly confirmed children.
2025 Season Performance
Alissa Katelina Pili’s 2025 campaign has featured significant movement across multiple professional leagues. After being waived by the Minnesota Lynx on July 12, 2025, she quickly caught on with the Los Angeles Sparks on a seven-day contract on August 3, 2025, providing depth for the team during the second half of the WNBA season. Her veteran presence and shooting touch made her a valuable addition during a competitive stretch for the Sparks.
Beyond the WNBA, Pili joined the Geelong Venom of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League for the 2025-26 season, giving her the opportunity to extend her playing year and compete internationally. She also suited up for Athletes Unlimited in 2025, playing on behalf of the Arctic Education Foundation, a non-profit supporting Indigenous youth.
Looking ahead, Pili’s combination of WNBA experience, international play, and growing endorsement portfolio, including her ongoing partnership with Nike’s N7 collection, positions her for continued visibility in 2025 and beyond. Her ability to contribute immediately as a scorer and her role as a cultural ambassador remain central to her identity as a professional athlete.