Laeticia Amihere Bio
Laeticia Amihere (born July 10, 2001) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Golden State Valkyries of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for Uni Girona CB of the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto. A versatile forward with size and athleticism, she played college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) before launching her professional career.
Standing 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) and playing with a confident, physical style, Amihere was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2023 WNBA draft. Since then, she has built a career that spans the WNBA, Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League, and Spain’s top women’s league, while also representing Canada on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
Laeticia Amihere was born in Mississauga, Ontario, to a Ghanaian father and a mother from Ivory Coast. Growing up in a multicultural household in the Greater Toronto Area, she was introduced to basketball at a young age and developed quickly alongside her school peers. Her dual West African heritage has remained a meaningful part of her identity throughout her career.
Amihere attended King’s Christian Collegiate in Oakville, Ontario, where she emerged as one of the top high school prospects in Canada. At just 15 years old, she became the first Canadian female player to dunk in a game, a milestone that announced her arrival on the national basketball scene and set the stage for her move into the NCAA ranks.
Path to Basketball
Amihere’s path to elite basketball began with Canada’s junior national team program. She won gold at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship for Women as part of the junior team, and followed that with a bronze medal at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup. Those early international experiences helped her gain visibility among top college recruiters.
Her high school performances, including the historic dunk, drew attention from major NCAA programs. Ultimately, she chose the University of South Carolina, where she joined a Gamecocks program known for producing WNBA talent. That decision launched her into one of the most competitive pipelines in women’s college basketball.
Laeticia Amihere Career
College Career (2019–2023)
Amihere made her debut with the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team in the 2019–20 NCAA season. She quickly developed into an interior presence known for shot-blocking and rebounding, contributing off the bench in her earliest college seasons.
On March 30, 2021, Amihere delivered one of the defining performances of her college career, recording 10 points, eight rebounds, and nine blocks against Texas in the NCAA Elite Eight, setting a program record for blocks in an NCAA Tournament game. She later scored a career-high 18 points against the Oregon Ducks on November 11, 2021, and helped South Carolina win the 2021–22 NCAA championship. Her final college season came in 2022–23, when she continued to serve as a key frontcourt player for the Gamecocks.
Atlanta Dream Era (2023–2024)
Amihere entered the WNBA as the eighth overall pick of the 2023 WNBA draft, selected by the Atlanta Dream. She made her WNBA debut on May 30, 2023, against the Chicago Sky, and went on to average 2.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 7.0 minutes across 21 games in her rookie season.
In the 2024 season, Amihere averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 5.2 minutes across 16 games for the Dream, working to carve out a consistent role in the rotation. Her time in Atlanta came to an end on February 1, 2025, when she was waived by the team.
Golden State Valkyries Era (2025–Present)
On February 6, 2025, Amihere was acquired by the Golden State Valkyries on a waiver claim, joining the league’s newest expansion franchise. She was waived by the Valkyries on May 14, 2025, but was signed back by the team on June 8, 2025, after a roster spot opened, allowing her to resume her WNBA career with the expansion club.
Overseas Career
On September 18, 2024, Amihere signed with the Perth Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) for the 2024–25 season, gaining additional professional experience in Australia. She later signed a short-term contract with Uni Girona CB of the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto for the 2025–26 season, continuing her international development in Spain.
Driving Style and Strengths
Amihere is a forward whose game is built on length, mobility, and shot-blocking instincts developed during her years at South Carolina. She uses her 191 cm frame to finish around the rim, contest shots defensively, and rebound on both ends, with continued growth in her perimeter game shaping her long-term upside.
Notable Events and Milestones
Amihere became the first Canadian female to dunk in a game at age 15, a moment that marked her as a generational Canadian talent. She also set a South Carolina program record for blocks in an NCAA Tournament game, won an NCAA championship in 2021–22, and represented Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Laeticia Amihere Career Wins
Amihere’s career win résumé centers on team accomplishments and international medals. Her most prominent title came at the college level, where she helped South Carolina win the 2021–22 NCAA championship, and she has also collected notable hardware representing Canada on the junior international stage.
NCAA and International Highlights
At the NCAA level, Amihere contributed to South Carolina’s 2021–22 NCAA championship run, one of the signature achievements of her career. Internationally, she won gold at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship for Women and later earned a bronze medal at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Other Performances
Amihere has also represented Canada at senior events, including the 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, and the 2024 Summer Olympics, establishing herself as a consistent presence in the national team setup.
Laeticia Amihere Family
Family Background and Lineage
Laeticia Amihere was raised in Mississauga, Ontario, by a Ghanaian father and a mother from Ivory Coast. Her West African heritage has shaped her upbringing and remains a meaningful part of her personal story as she represents Canada internationally.
Personal Life
Amihere focuses much of her public life on her basketball career and international commitments. Beyond her professional journey, she is widely recognized for her historic milestone as the first Canadian female to dunk in a game, a feat she accomplished as a teenager.
2025 Season Performance
Amihere’s 2025 season has been defined by a major team change, as she was waived by the Atlanta Dream in early February before being claimed by the Golden State Valkyries on February 6. After being waived again by the Valkyries in mid-May, she returned to the roster on June 8 following a roster opening, giving her a second chance to contribute for the expansion franchise during its debut WNBA campaign.
In parallel with her WNBA duties, Amihere signed a short-term contract with Uni Girona CB of the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto for the 2025–26 season, continuing her pattern of supplementing her American schedule with overseas basketball. She has also continued to be a part of the Canadian national team setup following her appearance at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Looking ahead, Amihere’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on stabilizing her role with the Golden State Valkyries, making the most of her stint in Spain, and remaining available for Canada’s senior national team. With size, athleticism, and championship experience from South Carolina, she has the tools to grow into a larger role as her professional career progresses.