Position: Center

Current Team: Minnesota Lynx | #5

Draft: 2014 | Notre Dame | 1st round (9th overall)

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If you've seen Chiney Ogwumike's incredible documentary "144" on the 2020 Wubble season, you are likely already a fan of Natalie Achonwa. Her thoughtful and vulnerable interviews about life as a player and a black woman were among the highlights of the film.

Natalie's intelligence shines on the court as well. When coach Cheryl Reeve signed her before the 2021 season, she had heard about Natalie: "Not that she's a pretty smart player, but that she's the smartest player I've ever been around." Her basketball IQ shows up in big and small ways, from being able to find the rebound to setting the right screen.

Natalie chose to come to the Lynx to play for Reeve, but also to be a part of the larger community: “I can’t wait to embed myself in Minnesota and see how I can get involved with the community.” I'm sure it doesn't hurt that she's now as close as possible to her home country of Canada, too.

Natalie wrote for Canada Basketball's Mad Love campaign on International Women’s Day:

With all apologies to Natalie, this photo needs to be seen:

• Q&A: Natalie Achonwa on Team Canada, the WNBA grind and fighting for equality (Steven Loung, SportsNet)