Mya Hollingshed Bio
Mya Hollingshed is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, she plays as a forward and is recognized for her shooting touch and rebounding ability. After a standout college career at the University of Colorado, she entered the WNBA in 2022 and has represented Puerto Rico on the international stage, including at the 2022 FIBA World Cup.
Early Life and Background
Mya Hollingshed was born on October 29, 1999, in Houston, Texas, in the United States. She grew up in the Houston area and developed an early interest in basketball, training through local programs and competitive circuits. Her family background includes a notable basketball connection: her grandfather, Terry Sykes, was selected in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets, giving Hollingshed a direct link to the professional game from a young age.
She attended Bellaire High School in Texas, where she became a four-year letterwinner for the Cardinals. Hollingshed served as a team captain during her high school career and earned all-state honors. She was recognized as a McDonald’s All-American nominee and also received Adidas All-American and Under Armour All-American recognition, reflecting her status as one of the top high school prospects in the country.
Path to Basketball
Beyond her high school program, Hollingshed competed on the AAU circuit with the Texas Elite Phenoms, where she sharpened her skills against top national competition. Her combination of size, perimeter shooting, and rebounding made her an attractive recruit for college programs seeking a versatile forward.
Hollingshed ultimately committed to the University of Colorado, joining a Buffaloes program looking to build around a talented young player. Her progression through high school and AAU basketball laid the foundation for the success she would later find in the Pac-12 Conference, where she would become one of the most consistent performers of her class.
Mya Hollingshed Career
Early Career (University of Colorado, 2018-2019)
Hollingshed began her college career as a reserve player during her freshman season at Colorado. She appeared in 29 games and averaged 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. Her most impressive statistical contribution came from beyond the arc, where she led the team with a 42.7 percent three-point shooting accuracy while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor overall.
Her role expanded significantly as a sophomore, when she started every game and posted career-high marks in both points per game and minutes played. Hollingshed led the Buffaloes with a .439 field goal percentage that season and recorded her first career double-double, signaling her emergence as a reliable contributor in the frontcourt.
Colorado Breakthrough (2019-2022)
As a junior, Hollingshed took another step forward, posting career-high totals in points, rebounds, and assists while recording three double-doubles. She led Colorado in scoring and rebounding and tied for the team lead in steals. Her strong play earned her a spot on the preseason All-Pac-12 team as an honorable mention.
In her senior season, Hollingshed joined the 1,000-point club at Colorado and scored in double figures in 20 of 23 games. She was selected to the All-Pac-12 First Team and received an All-America honorable mention. Under her leadership, Colorado secured its first NCAA Tournament berth in years. Across her junior and senior campaigns, she earned All-Pac-12 honors in both 2021 and 2022, cementing her legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.
WNBA Entry (2022)
Hollingshed was selected as the eighth overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA Draft, becoming the sixth University of Colorado player ever drafted and the first since 2013. Her selection reflected the strong reputation she had built through four seasons in the Pac-12.
However, her professional career had a challenging beginning. On May 2, 2022, exactly three weeks after being drafted, the Aces waived Hollingshed along with the 13th overall pick, Khayla Pointer. As of 2025, Hollingshed has yet to appear in a WNBA game and remains a free agent, though she continues to pursue her professional basketball career.
International Play
Hollingshed represents Puerto Rico in international competition, honoring her family heritage. She competed in the 2022 FIBA World Cup, where she led Puerto Rico to its first-ever quarterfinal appearance. Her performances on the international stage have reinforced her reputation as a skilled forward capable of impacting games at a high level.
Mya Hollingshed Career Wins
While Hollingshed has not yet recorded verified professional wins at the WNBA level, her college and international résumé includes notable achievements. She earned All-Pac-12 First Team honors in 2022 and All-Pac-12 recognition in 2021, and she led Puerto Rico to a historic quarterfinal finish at the 2022 FIBA World Cup.
College Highlights
Across her four seasons at the University of Colorado, Hollingshed joined the 1,000-point club and recorded multiple double-doubles, including three during her junior year alone. She helped lead the Buffaloes to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in years during her senior season, capping one of the most productive individual runs in program history.
International Highlights
Hollingshed’s most celebrated team achievement came at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, where she helped Puerto Rico reach the quarterfinals for the first time. The performance marked a milestone moment for Puerto Rican basketball and highlighted Hollingshed’s role as a leader on the national team.
Mya Hollingshed Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Hollingshed comes from a family with deep basketball roots. Her grandfather, Terry Sykes, was selected in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets, making professional basketball a part of her family heritage. This connection to the NBA helped shape her early understanding of the game and the work required to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Mya Hollingshed was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where she developed into one of the top high school basketball players in the state. She holds Puerto Rican nationality and proudly represents Puerto Rico in international competition. As of 2025, she continues to pursue her professional basketball career while maintaining ties to both her hometown and her family’s basketball legacy.
2025 Season Outlook
As of 2025, Mya Hollingshed remains a free agent and has yet to play in a WNBA game. Despite the setbacks early in her professional career, she continues to train and stay active in the basketball world. Her experience with Puerto Rico’s national team program has kept her competitive and visible to professional scouts.
Hollingshed’s combination of size, shooting ability, and rebounding skill makes her an intriguing prospect for WNBA teams in need of frontcourt depth. Her All-Pac-12 pedigree and international experience provide a strong foundation for a potential return to professional basketball in the United States.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025 and beyond, Hollingshed’s primary focus will be on securing a roster spot and translating her college and international success to the WNBA level. Her track record of leadership, including guiding Puerto Rico to a historic quarterfinal finish, suggests she has the character and talent to make an impact when given the opportunity.