Rae Burrell Bio
Rae Burrell (born June 21, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) tall, she plays as a guard and is also a member of Vinyl BC of Unrivaled, a women’s three-on-three basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She began her professional career in 2022 after a standout college career with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Burrell rose to prominence as a top recruit out of Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. She was named the Las Vegas Review-Journal Best of Nevada Preps Female Athlete of the Year in 2018. After four seasons in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with Tennessee, she declared for the 2022 WNBA Draft and has since built a steady role with the Sparks.
Early Life and Background
Rae Burrell was born on June 21, 2000, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She grew up in the Las Vegas area and attended Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada, where she developed into one of the top high school basketball prospects in the state. Her height of 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) gave her a natural advantage on the wing, and she used her length and athleticism to dominate at the prep level.
During her high school years, Burrell earned statewide recognition for her play, culminating in her selection as the Las Vegas Review-Journal Best of Nevada Preps Female Athlete of the Year in 2018. That same year, she was ranked as the 43rd overall recruit by ESPN’s HoopGurlz rankings. Her success at Liberty High School positioned her as one of the most sought-after college recruits in the country.
Path to Basketball
After a decorated high school career, Burrell committed to play college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC. She was rated as the 43rd overall recruit by ESPN HoopGurlz and joined a program with a rich tradition of developing WNBA talent. The move to Knoxville marked her transition from a regional star to a nationally recognized prospect.
At Tennessee, Burrell steadily improved over four seasons, evolving from a role player as a freshman into one of the team’s most reliable contributors by her junior year. Her development within the SEC prepared her for the professional ranks, and on March 29, 2022, she announced on Instagram that she would forgo her extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and enter the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Rae Burrell Career
Early Career (2022)
Burrell was selected 9th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, becoming one of the team’s first selections of her draft class. Her rookie season, however, was disrupted by a foot injury that limited her to just three games. Despite the setback, the Sparks remained committed to her development, and she used the recovery period to prepare for the following season.
Alongside her rookie WNBA year, Burrell gained international experience by playing with the UC Capitals of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) during the 2022–23 season. The overseas stint allowed her to log meaningful minutes and continue her growth as a professional.
Los Angeles Sparks Era (2023–Present)
Following the 2023 WNBA training camp, Burrell did not make the Sparks roster but was signed to a hardship contract in May 2023. After a brief release, she returned on a second hardship deal on June 17, 2023, and ultimately stayed with the team for the remainder of the season, appearing in 29 games while averaging 11.1 minutes per game.
On February 1, 2024, Burrell signed a multi-year contract with the Sparks, signaling the organization’s long-term belief in her potential. She played sporadically at the beginning of the 2024 season but gradually earned more playing time. She appeared in 37 games, starting the final seven games of the year, and averaged 15.6 minutes per contest. Her progression into a starting role reflected her growing importance to the franchise.
Overseas and Off-Season Experience
In addition to her time with the UC Capitals in Australia, Burrell joined Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen of Belgium for the winter of 2023, expanding her international resume. She also played in the 2024 edition of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball, further sharpening her skills during the WNBA off-season.
Unrivaled (2025)
On November 18, 2024, it was announced that Burrell would join the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women’s three-on-three basketball league co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She was named to Vinyl BC, adding another competitive platform to her off-season schedule alongside her WNBA commitments with the Sparks.
Playing Style and Strengths
Burrell is known for her length, athleticism, and versatility on the wing. At 188 cm, she can defend multiple positions and contributes as a rebounder and scorer in transition. Her development has emphasized consistency on both ends of the floor, and her increased minutes with the Sparks reflect a growing comfort in a larger offensive role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burrell’s selection 9th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft stands as a defining early-career milestone. Signing a multi-year deal with the Sparks in February 2024 and earning starts late in the 2024 season marked a clear turning point in her professional trajectory.
Rae Burrell Career Wins
Rae Burrell’s professional résumé continues to build through consistent opportunities rather than headline championships. Her WNBA journey with the Los Angeles Sparks has been defined by perseverance, from a rookie year cut short by injury to a multi-year contract and starting assignments by her third season. Her international stints and participation in Unrivaled have added to her competitive portfolio.
WNBA Highlights
Burrell has yet to record a verified WNBA regular-season or playoff win headline at the time of her career summary, though her role with the Sparks has expanded significantly since her 2022 debut. She has appeared in 69 WNBA regular-season games across 2022, 2023, and 2024, with her playing time rising each year she has been healthy.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Burrell was named to the SEC All-Second Team in 2021 and the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2020. During her junior year at Tennessee, she was the only Volunteer to start every game and averaged 16.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. She led Tennessee back to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament that season, scoring 22 points in the loss to the Louisville Cardinals to close her college career.
Rae Burrell Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Publicly verified details about Burrell’s parents and immediate family are limited. She grew up in the Las Vegas area and built her basketball foundation in that region before moving on to Liberty High School in nearby Henderson, Nevada.
Personal Life
Burrell keeps her personal life largely private. No verified public information is available regarding a spouse, partner, or children.
2025 Season Performance
Burrell entered the 2025 WNBA season continuing her role with the Los Angeles Sparks under the multi-year contract she signed in February 2024. After starting the final seven games of the 2024 campaign, she carried momentum into the new year as a contributing member of the Sparks’ rotation.
During the 2025 WNBA off-season, Burrell joined Vinyl BC for the inaugural season of Unrivaled, where she competed in a three-on-three format designed to keep top WNBA players sharp during the league’s winter break. The experience offered additional high-level reps alongside some of the top players in the world.
Burrell’s 2025 outlook centers on expanding her role with the Sparks, building on her late-2024 surge, and continuing her development as a versatile wing. With health on her side and a stable contract, she remains a player to watch in the WNBA’s evolving landscape.