Ezi Magbegor Bio
Eziyoda “Ezi” Magbegor (born 13 August 1999) is an Australian professional basketball player who competes for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and represents the Hive BC in Unrivaled. Standing 193 cm tall, she plays as a forward and is widely regarded as one of the premier defensive players of her generation. A 2020 WNBA champion with the Storm, Magbegor has also represented the Australian Opals at multiple Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Since being selected 12th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, Magbegor has developed into a cornerstone of the Storm and a key contributor on the international stage. Her combination of size, mobility, and basketball IQ has drawn frequent comparisons to Australian great Lauren Jackson.
Early Life and Background
Eziyoda Magbegor was born on 13 August 1999 in Wellington, New Zealand, to Nigerian parents. She moved to Australia with her family at age six and subsequently grew up in the Canberra region. Her multicultural upbringing and early exposure to basketball through Australian club programs helped shape her development as a young athlete.
Magbegor attended Lake Ginninderra College in Canberra, where she began attracting attention for her rare combination of size and skill. As a teenager, she joined Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence program and competed in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), sharpening her game against older competition and laying the foundation for her professional career.
Beyond basketball, Magbegor has pursued higher education, enrolling at Deakin University, where she initially studied a Bachelor of Commerce in 2019 before switching to a Bachelor of Psychology. In 2021, she was recognized as Deakin University’s Female Sportsperson of the Year.
Path to Basketball
Magbegor’s path to elite basketball accelerated through Basketball Australia’s development pathway. After debuting for the Centre of Excellence in the SEABL, she was signed by the Canberra Capitals of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in July 2017 for the 2017–18 season. Her strong play in Canberra caught the eye of league observers and national team selectors.
In March 2018, the Melbourne Boomers signed Magbegor to a three-year WNBL deal. Despite reported interest from several U.S. college programs, she chose to remain in Australia, where she developed alongside established stars such as Jenna O’Hea and Lauren Jackson under head coach Guy Molloy.
Her international resume grew rapidly during this period. In 2015, she represented Australia at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Russia as a 16-year-old. The following year, she led the U17 Sapphires to a gold medal at the inaugural FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain, earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award, and was named to the All-Tournament Team after helping Australia snap the United States’ 28-game U17 winning streak.
Ezi Magbegor Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Magbegor’s professional career began with the Canberra Capitals during the 2017–18 WNBL season, where she quickly established herself as a promising young forward. After one season in Canberra, she signed a three-year deal with the Melbourne Boomers and contributed to the program’s rise in the WNBL.
Her performances in the WNBL and at international youth tournaments convinced the Seattle Storm to select her 12th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft. Rather than join the Storm immediately, both Magbegor and the franchise agreed that she would remain in Australia to continue her development during the 2019 season.
WNBA Breakthrough (2020–Present)
Magbegor joined the Seattle Storm for the 2020 WNBA season, which was played inside the league’s bubble environment. In her rookie year, she served in a limited role, averaging 13.3 minutes, 6.5 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor, the ninth-best mark in the league. She became the second-youngest player in WNBA history to win a championship as the Storm captured the 2020 title.
During her second season in 2021, Magbegor started three games and helped the Storm win the inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. She earned her first career playoff start against the Phoenix Mercury after Breanna Stewart was sidelined by injury. By her third season, she had become a regular starter, appearing in 23 games and earning her first WNBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, even as the Storm fell to the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
The 2023 season marked a defining chapter. After signing a two-year contract extension and with the departure of Stewart, Tina Charles, and Sue Bird, Magbegor started all 40 games, averaged 32.6 minutes per game, posted career highs across the major statistical categories, and earned her first WNBA All-Star selection along with a second consecutive All-Defensive Second Team nod. In 2024, she was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the first time and formed part of Seattle’s marketed “Core Four” alongside Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Jewell Loyd.
Driving Style and Strengths
Magbegor’s game is built on her length, shot-blocking instincts, and ability to defend multiple positions. She uses her 193 cm frame to protect the rim and disrupt passing lanes, while her developing offensive game features efficient finishing around the basket and an emerging perimeter shot. Her conditioning and defensive communication have made her a reliable anchor for the Storm’s interior defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her standout achievements, Magbegor delivered a historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring 30 points on 71 percent shooting with 13 rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and two steals in Australia’s bronze-medal win over Belgium. She also became the second-youngest player ever to win a WNBA title in 2020.
Ezi Magbegor Career Wins
Ezi Magbegor has compiled an impressive collection of team and individual accolades across the WNBA, WNBL, and international competition. Her championship resume includes a WNBA title in 2020 with the Seattle Storm, a Commissioner’s Cup championship in 2021, a WNBL championship with the Melbourne Boomers in 2022, and a EuroLeague Women championship in 2025 with USK Prague.
WNBA Highlights
Magbegor’s WNBA achievements include a 2020 WNBA Championship, a 2021 Commissioner’s Cup title, a 2023 WNBA All-Star selection, and multiple All-Defensive honors. She earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team recognition in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and was elevated to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
On the international stage, Magbegor won bronze with the Opals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was named FIBA U17 MVP in 2016 after leading Australia to gold in Spain. In the WNBL, she was part of the Melbourne Boomers’ 2022 championship squad and was a three-time WNBL Youth Player of the Year in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
Ezi Magbegor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ezi Magbegor was born to Nigerian parents who relocated the family from Wellington, New Zealand, to Australia when she was six years old. Her family’s support has been credited as a foundation for her athletic development and academic pursuits.
Personal Life
Outside basketball, Magbegor has studied at Deakin University, initially pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce before switching to a Bachelor of Psychology. She was recognized as Deakin University’s Female Sportsperson of the Year in 2021.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Magbegor continue her role as a central figure for the Seattle Storm while also competing overseas for USK Prague in the EuroLeague Women, where she won a championship. Her international success underscored her continued growth as one of the league’s most impactful two-way forwards.
With the Storm, Magbegor remained a defensive anchor, earning selection to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team for the third time in her career. Her consistent rim protection and perimeter defense continued to set the tone for a Seattle roster aiming to return to championship contention.
Looking ahead, Magbegor’s selection by Hive BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season, announced in November 2025, signals another prominent platform to showcase her game during the WNBA offseason. Her combination of accolades, experience, and upside keeps her firmly in the conversation among the WNBA’s elite forwards.