Naz Hillmon Bio
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon (born April 5, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Laces of Unrivaled. Standing 6-foot-2, she plays the forward position and is recognized as one of the most productive rebounders in Michigan Wolverines history.
A Cleveland, Ohio native, Hillmon became Michigan’s all-time leader in rebounds, double-doubles, and free throws made during her four-year college career. As a junior she was named a first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year. She also represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup and won a gold medal.
Early Life and Background
Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon was born on April 5, 2000, in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up in the Cleveland area and attended Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio, where she played four varsity seasons of basketball. She started in all 116 career games and amassed 2,057 points and 1,607 rebounds to become the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
As a senior at Gilmour Academy, Hillmon averaged 21 points, 14 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.0 steals per game. She led the Lancers to their first OHSAA Division III state championship, after winning back-to-back district and regional titles. Following that season she was named the Division III Northeast Lakes All-District Player of the Year for a second straight season, the All-Ohio Co-Player of the Year, and was a finalist for Ms. Basketball. She became the fourth girls basketball player in Ohio high school history to score 2,000 points in a career.
Hillmon verbally committed to play basketball at the University of Michigan on July 4, 2017, following her graduation from Gilmour Academy. Her mother, NaSheema Hillmon, had played college basketball at Vanderbilt and professionally for the Nashville Noise of the American Basketball League, which gave Hillmon an early foundation in the sport.
Path to Basketball
Hillmon entered the University of Michigan as part of the 2018 recruiting class and quickly emerged as a foundational piece of the Wolverines program. During the 2018–19 season, she appeared in all 34 games off the bench and averaged a team-high 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting .628 from the field. She finished sixth nationally in field goal percentage, the only freshman in the top 50, and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, and Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
As a sophomore during the 2019–20 season, Hillmon started all 32 games and scored in double figures 28 times with 11 double-doubles. She ranked in the top five in Big Ten scoring in points per game (17.4), rebounds per game (8.7), and field-goal percentage (.567), and was again a unanimous All-Big Ten first team selection.
Her rise to national prominence came during the 2020–21 junior season, when she was named Big Ten Preseason Co-Player of the Year and appeared on watch lists for the Katrina McClain Award, the Wade Trophy, and the Naismith College Player of the Year. On January 21, 2021, Hillmon recorded a career-high 50 points and 16 rebounds, setting the all-time single-game scoring record in Michigan basketball history, man or woman. She surpassed the previous women’s record of 45 points set by Diane Dietz in 1982 and the men’s record of 48 points set by Rudy Tomjanovich in 1969, becoming only the third woman with a 50-point game in Big Ten history.
Naz Hillmon Career
Senior Season at Michigan (2021–22)
Hillmon entered her senior season as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year and again appeared on watch lists for the Katrina McClain Award and the Wade Trophy. On January 27, 2022, she recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds to become Michigan’s all-time leading rebounder, passing the previous record of 928 set by Trish Andrew in 1993. She was named USBWA National Player of the Week following the performance.
On February 27, 2022, Hillmon recorded 18 points and 15 rebounds to become the first player in Michigan program history, man or woman, to score 2,000 points and record 1,000 rebounds. During the 2022 NCAA tournament, she helped Michigan advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history, recording a double-double in all four games. She finished the season as a unanimous All-Big Ten first team selection and an All-Big Ten Defensive Team pick, and was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, becoming the first player in program history to earn that honor.
WNBA Rookie Season with Atlanta Dream (2022)
On April 11, 2022, Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon was drafted in the second round, 15th overall, by the Atlanta Dream in the 2022 WNBA draft. She became Michigan’s highest WNBA draft pick ever and the first Wolverine drafted since Tabitha Pool in 2005. During her rookie season with the Dream, Hillmon averaged 4.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games. She set Atlanta’s franchise rookie rebounding record with 172 total boards and ranked fifth in the league in rookie rebounding.
Atlanta Dream Breakthrough (2023–Present)
Hillmon continued her development with the Atlanta Dream through the 2023 and 2024 WNBA seasons, building on her rebounding foundation while gradually expanding her offensive game. During the 2025 WNBA season, she averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Dream and made 53 three-pointers after hitting just one during her first three WNBA seasons. She came off the bench in 27 of the Dream’s 44 games and set a franchise record by appearing in 150 consecutive games. She ranked second in the league with a +7.6 plus-minus per game. Following the 2025 season she was named the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year.
Australian League Stints (WNBL)
On October 4, 2023, Hillmon signed a one-year contract with the Melbourne Boomers for the 2023–24 WNBL season. During her first year with the Boomers she averaged 15.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-WNBL Second Team. On October 3, 2024, Hillmon signed a contract with the Southside Flyers for the 2024–25 WNBL season and earned All-WNBL First Team honors in 2025.
Unrivaled League
In March 2025, Hillmon was signed by Unrivaled to a relief player contract due to multiple lingering injuries within the league at the end of the 2025 season. On November 5, 2025, it was announced that Hillmon will play for Laces BC in the 2026 season.
National Team Career
Hillmon represented the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Americas Championship, where she averaged 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game and shot 67 percent in 18.2 minutes per game, winning a gold medal. She captained the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, starting all seven games and averaging 7.4 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds to win another gold medal. On June 6, 2021, Hillmon was named to Team USA for the 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, averaging 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists to help the United States win gold.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hillmon’s career has been defined by historic statistical milestones, including the first 50-point game in Michigan basketball history and the first 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound career in Michigan program history. She also set the Atlanta Dream franchise rookie rebounding record and the franchise record for consecutive games played (150). Her selection as WNBA Sixth Player of the Year in 2025 capped her emergence as a reliable bench contributor for the Dream.
Naz Hillmon Career Wins
Across college, the WNBA, the WNBL, and international play, Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon has built a résumé anchored by rebounding, efficient scoring, and consistent production. Her honors include multiple All-American selections, Big Ten Player of the Year, WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, and All-WNBL honors in consecutive Australian seasons.
WNBA Highlights
Hillmon has been a member of the Atlanta Dream since being drafted in 2022, when she set the franchise rookie rebounding record with 172 boards. She appeared in 150 consecutive games for the Dream, a franchise record, and was named the 2025 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year after averaging 8.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 53 made three-pointers.
Other Wins and Performances
Hillmon has also excelled in the WNBL, earning All-WNBL Second Team honors with the Melbourne Boomers in 2023–24 and All-WNBL First Team honors with the Southside Flyers in 2024–25. Internationally, she helped the United States win gold medals at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Americas Championship, the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, and the 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
Naz Hillmon Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the Hillmon family. Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon’s mother, NaSheema Hillmon, played college basketball at Vanderbilt University and went on to play professionally for the Nashville Noise of the American Basketball League. Hillmon is also the niece of professional basketball player Jawad Williams.
Personal Life
Hillmon was raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area and attended Gilmour Academy in nearby Gates Mills. Her family basketball background helped shape her early development as a forward, and she has continued to credit her upbringing for her work ethic and rebounding instincts.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 WNBA season, Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon emerged as one of the league’s most impactful reserve players for the Atlanta Dream. She averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while knocking down 53 three-pointers, a dramatic jump from her first three WNBA seasons combined. She came off the bench in 27 of the Dream’s 44 games and set a franchise record by appearing in 150 consecutive games.
Her plus-minus of +7.6 ranked second in the WNBA, reflecting the Dream’s strong performance whenever she was on the floor. Following the season, she was named the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, becoming one of the most decorated reserve players in the league.
Beyond the WNBA, Hillmon also completed her 2024–25 WNBL season with the Southside Flyers, where she earned All-WNBL First Team honors, and signed with Laces BC of Unrivaled for the 2026 season. Her momentum in three leagues signals continued growth as one of the most versatile American forwards in the professional game.