Lorela Cubaj Bio
Lorela Cubaj (born January 8, 1999) is an Italian professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for Umana Reyer Venezia of the Lega Basket Femminile. She is a 6-foot-4 forward who has built her career across top European leagues and American basketball. Known for her rebounding and defensive presence, Cubaj has represented Italy at multiple youth levels and earned All-ACC honors during her college career at Georgia Tech.
Early Life and Background
Lorela Cubaj was born on January 8, 1999, in Terni, Italy. She grew up in Italy and began playing basketball at the age of eight, developing her skills through local youth programs. Her early introduction to the sport laid the foundation for a career that would eventually take her to some of the most competitive basketball stages in the world.
Cubaj attended Istituto Paritario Giuseppe Parini for her high school education, where she continued to refine her game. Her height and athleticism made her a natural fit for the forward position, and she quickly became a standout in Italian youth basketball circles. By her mid-teens, she was already competing in national-level competitions, showcasing the rebounding and defensive instincts that would later define her professional career.
Path to Basketball
Cubaj’s journey into professional basketball began with Umana Reyer Venezia, where she joined the club’s youth system and rose through the ranks. During the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, she developed her game in Italian basketball, winning the Italian U18 championship with Umana Reyer Venezia in 2016–17. This early success established her as one of the top young prospects in Italian women’s basketball.
At the international youth level, Cubaj represented Italy in several major tournaments. In 2015, she helped Italy win a bronze medal at the U16 European Championship, averaging 11 points and 6.6 rebounds while earning a spot on the tournament All-Star Five. The following year, she won a silver medal with Italy at the U17 World Championship in Spain, and later that summer, she competed at the U18 European Championship in Hungary. These experiences on the international stage prepared her for the next major step in her career.
Lorela Cubaj Career
College Career at Georgia Tech (2017–2022)
During the summer of 2017, Cubaj signed with Georgia Tech to play college basketball in the United States. She spent five seasons with the Yellow Jackets, becoming a key contributor and one of the most dominant forwards in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Her development in the NCAA helped transform her into an elite defensive player and a reliable scorer around the basket.
In 2021, Cubaj helped lead Georgia Tech to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, where the Yellow Jackets faced South Carolina. Although Georgia Tech was defeated in that matchup, Cubaj delivered a strong performance with 15 points and 7 rebounds. She was recognized for her outstanding defensive play, earning the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2021 and 2022. She was also named First-team All-ACC in both seasons, cementing her legacy as one of the top players in program history.
WNBA Debut and Early Professional Years (2022)
Cubaj entered the 2022 WNBA Draft and was selected 18th overall by the Seattle Storm. Her draft rights were immediately traded to the New York Liberty, where she began her rookie season. During her time with the Liberty, she appeared in 11 games before being waived on July 1, 2022, as part of the team’s roster adjustments.
Despite the short stint in the WNBA, Cubaj quickly transitioned back to European basketball. On June 15, 2022, she signed with Umana Reyer Venezia for the 2022–23 Lega Basket Femminile (LBF) season. The move allowed her to continue developing her game at a high level while maintaining her connection to the Italian basketball system that had nurtured her early career.
Umana Reyer Venezia Era (2022–Present)
Cubaj’s return to Umana Reyer Venezia marked a new chapter in her professional career. She became a central figure for the team, contributing as a versatile forward capable of scoring, rebounding, and defending at a high level. Her experience in American college basketball, combined with her international background, made her a valuable asset in the Lega Basket Femminile.
In 2024, Cubaj helped Umana Reyer Venezia capture the Lega Basket Femminile championship, one of the most significant achievements of her professional career. Her continued presence in Venice has solidified her reputation as a reliable and impactful player in European women’s basketball.
Atlanta Dream Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Lorela Cubaj joined the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA, where she continues to play. Her move to Atlanta represented a fresh opportunity to establish herself in the WNBA after her brief initial stint with the New York Liberty. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing approximately 200 pounds, she brings size, defensive intensity, and international experience to the Dream’s roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cubaj is widely recognized for her defensive versatility and rebounding ability. Her size and wingspan make her a formidable presence in the paint, and her basketball IQ allows her to anticipate plays before they develop. Offensively, she is effective around the basket and has shown the ability to step out and face up defenders. Her international experience and time in the ACC have made her a well-rounded player capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Cubaj’s career are her 2021 and 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year awards, which underscored her status as one of the top defenders in college basketball. Her 15-point, 7-rebound performance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen remains one of her most memorable college moments. In 2024, she added a Lega Basket Femminile championship with Umana Reyer Venezia to her list of accomplishments.
Lorela Cubaj Career Wins
Throughout her career, Lorela Cubaj has compiled a strong resume of team and individual achievements across multiple levels of basketball. From her early days in Italian youth basketball to her current role in the WNBA and Lega Basket Femminile, she has consistently contributed to winning teams.
Lega Basket Femminile Highlights
Cubaj won the Lega Basket Femminile championship with Umana Reyer Venezia in 2024. She has been a key contributor for the club across multiple stints, including her time with the team from 2015 to 2017 as a youth player and her return in 2022. Her championship in 2024 stands as the most significant team accomplishment of her professional career.
Other Wins and Performances
At the youth level, Cubaj won the Italian U18 championship with Umana Reyer Venezia in the 2016–17 season. She also won a bronze medal with Italy at the 2015 U16 European Championship and a silver medal at the 2016 U17 World Championship in Spain. These early international medals highlighted her potential and helped pave the way for her move to the United States.
Lorela Cubaj Family
Family Background and Basketball Origins
Lorela Cubaj was born and raised in Terni, Italy. While specific details about her family are not widely documented, her early introduction to basketball at the age of eight suggests a supportive environment that encouraged her athletic development. Her progression through Italian youth basketball and onto the international stage reflects a strong foundation built during her formative years.
2025 Season Performance
As Lorela Cubaj enters the 2025 WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream, she aims to build on her recent championship success with Umana Reyer Venezia. Her experience in both American and European basketball provides her with a unique perspective and a versatile skill set that the Dream value in their frontcourt rotation.
With Umana Reyer Venezia, Cubaj continues to be a central figure in the Lega Basket Femminile, where she will look to defend the club’s 2024 championship. Her dual commitments in the WNBA and LBF keep her among the most active Italian professional players on the international stage.
Looking ahead, Cubaj’s combination of size, defensive ability, and international experience positions her as a player to watch in both leagues. As she continues to develop and refine her game, she remains a prominent representative of Italian women’s basketball on the global stage.