Canada’s Laeticia Amihere was selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Draft on Monday night in New York.
The 21-year-old forward declared for the draft on Tuesday after completing her fourth season with the University of South Carolina, winning a national championship in 2022.
WATCH | Amihere selected by Dream:
The native of Mississauga, Ontario, played her college ball at South Carolina and is a member of the Canadian national team.
The Mississauga, Ont., native averaged 15.9 minutes across 36 games this season, recording per-game averages of 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.
The Dream also selected guard Haley Jones out of Stanford with the No. 6 pick.
WATCH | Amihere prepares for draft:
Amihere’s viral dunk at 15 drew global attention, but she has since become a vital player for Canada in basketball, with a range of impressive skills.
Amihere was one of three South Carolina players taken in the first round. Aliyah Boston went first to Atlanta and Zia Cooke 10th to Los Angeles.
“It’s amazing experience really, because this group of girls have been through life together,” Amihere said. “These four years haven’t been only about basketball. Being able to be with them on one of our biggest nights is an amazing experience.”
It’s the 10th time that three players from the same team were drafted in the opening round, and the first since Oregon had three in 2020.
Boston goes No. 1
The new Indiana star Boston had a stellar college career, leading the Gamecocks to a national championship her junior year and losing only nine games total. She was a three-time Associated Press All-American and also the Player of the Year as a junior.
“It’s really special, I’m thankful to God for putting me in this position,” said the 21-year-old Boston, from the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Everyone in Indiana, they saw something in me, I’m ready to get there and get to work.”
“Aliyah Boston will have an immediate impact on our franchise on and off the court,” Fever GM Lin Dunn said. ‘We are excited to pair her with Kelsey [Mitchell] and NaLyssa [Smith] as we reload the Indiana Fever. We are very impressed with Aliyah’s…
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