DiJonai Carrington Bio
DiJonai Victoria Carrington (born January 8, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for Stanford and Baylor before being drafted 20th overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2021 WNBA draft. Carrington has earned recognition as one of the league’s top defenders, highlighted by her 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player award and selection to the All-Defensive First Team.
Standing 6 feet tall, the San Diego native is known for her versatility, perimeter defense, and competitive intensity. She is also a Reebok-endorsed athlete, joining a small group of signature WNBA players with the brand.
Early Life and Background
DiJonai Victoria Carrington was born on January 8, 1998, in San Diego, California. She is the daughter of Darren Carrington, a former NFL player, and Victoria Carrington. She grew up alongside her older brother, Darren Carrington II, who later played wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks.
Carrington attended Horizon Christian Academy in San Diego, California, where she developed into one of the top high school basketball prospects in the country. She scored more than 2,000 career points for the Horizon program, averaging 18.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game across her high school career.
Her outstanding play at Horizon earned her selection as a McDonald’s All-American and a Jordan Brand Classic All-American. Following her prep career, she committed to play college basketball at Stanford University, where she ultimately earned undergraduate degrees in psychology and African and African American studies.
Path to Basketball
Carrington arrived at Stanford in 2016 as one of the most decorated high school players in the program’s history. She spent four seasons with the Cardinal, helping the team capture two Pac-12 Tournament championships in 2017 and 2019. Her development as a two-way wing helped her earn All-Pac-12 honors from both the coaches and the media in 2019, along with Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention recognition in 2018 and 2019.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Carrington grad-transferred to Baylor for the 2020–2021 season. With the Lady Bears, she averaged 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year honors. Her strong senior season positioned her as a first-round prospect for the 2021 WNBA Draft.
DiJonai Carrington Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Carrington was selected 20th overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2021 WNBA Draft. She attended the Sun’s training camp and earned one of the team’s 11 roster spots, beginning her professional career as a defensive specialist off the bench.
During her first three seasons in Connecticut, she continued to refine her perimeter defense and three-point shooting, gradually earning a more consistent role within the Sun’s rotation. Her work ethic and on-court growth laid the foundation for a breakout 2024 campaign.
Connecticut Sun Breakthrough (2024)
The 2024 season marked Carrington’s emergence as one of the league’s most improved players. She elevated her scoring, efficiency, and defensive impact, becoming a key piece of the Sun’s rotation and one of the top wing defenders in the WNBA.
On September 25, 2024, the WNBA named Carrington the 2024 Most Improved Player. Days later, on September 29, 2024, she was selected to the 2024 WNBA All-Defensive First Team, cementing her reputation as an elite two-way player.
Minnesota Lynx Era (2025–Present)
On February 2, 2025, Carrington was traded to the Dallas Wings as part of a larger four-team deal. Her time in Dallas was brief, and on August 3, 2025, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, and Minnesota’s 2027 second-round draft pick.
With the Lynx, Carrington joined a contending roster and continued to contribute as a versatile wing and perimeter defender before a foot injury cut her 2025 campaign short. Her ongoing recovery from the foot injury will keep her off the court for the 2026 Unrivaled season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carrington is widely recognized for her perimeter defense, positional length, and ability to guard multiple positions at 6 feet tall. She pairs her defensive intensity with reliable three-point shooting and intelligent off-ball movement, allowing her to fit seamlessly into modern up-tempo systems. Her competitive edge and willingness to take on the opponent’s best scorer have made her a valued piece of every roster she has joined.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Carrington’s signature achievements are her 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player award and her selection to the 2024 WNBA All-Defensive First Team. She also became the second Reebok-endorsed WNBA player in 2025, joining Angel Reese as a brand ambassador. Earlier in her career, she was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2016 and a Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year in 2021.
DiJonai Carrington Career Wins
DiJonai Victoria Carrington has built her reputation largely on individual recognition and team championships rather than on a high volume of confirmed individual game-by-game victories across her professional career. Her verified highlights include two Pac-12 Tournament championships at Stanford and a 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player award.
Stanford Highlights
During her four seasons at Stanford, Carrington helped the Cardinal win Pac-12 Tournament championships in 2017 and 2019. She was also named to the All-Pac-12 Team from both the coaches and the media in 2019, marking her as one of the conference’s premier players.
Other Wins and Performances
At Baylor, Carrington was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year in 2021. She was also selected to the Academic Honor Roll in 2020 and earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2018 and 2019. Her high school accolades include McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American honors in 2016.
DiJonai Carrington Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Carrington is the daughter of former NFL player Darren Carrington and Victoria Carrington. She is the younger sister of Darren Carrington II, a former wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks football program. Growing up in an athletic household gave her an early foundation in competitive sports and shaped her drive to reach the professional level.
Personal Life
DiJonai Carrington is in a relationship with her former Baylor teammate, NaLyssa Smith, a fellow WNBA player. She earned undergraduate degrees in psychology and African and African American studies from Stanford University. In 2025, she became the second Reebok-endorsed WNBA player, signing with the brand alongside Angel Reese.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 WNBA season was eventful for DiJonai Carrington, beginning with her February 2, 2025 trade from the Connecticut Sun to the Dallas Wings as part of a four-team deal. Her tenure in Dallas provided a fresh opportunity before another move reshaped her season.
On August 3, 2025, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, joining a championship-caliber roster. With the Lynx, she contributed as a wing defender and three-point shooter before a foot injury ended her on-court contribution for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
Looking ahead, Carrington’s recovery from the foot injury will keep her out of the 2026 Unrivaled season. Her long-term outlook with the Lynx remains positive, given her defensive versatility, perimeter shooting, and proven trajectory of improvement since entering the WNBA in 2021.