Canadian Laeticia Amihere drafted 8th overall in 2023 WNBA draft
Posted April 10, 2023 8:31 pm.
Last Updated April 10, 2023 8:58 pm.
It’s a moment basketball players dream of from a young age — hearing their name called during the WNBA draft.
On Monday night the draft was held in New York City where Mississauga’s Laeticia Amihere heard her name called 8th overall. The six-foot-four power forward was picked by the Atlanta Dream.
Welcome to the Dream @_Theblackqueen_ ! ???? pic.twitter.com/r7G0VO8ECX
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 10, 2023
“We went through so much this year,” Amihere said on the ESPN broadcast after being drafted on being able to share the moment with her family. “Just to be able to check a win off of that column, I am just so excited to be here.”
Amihere, who is in her last year of college at South Carolina, averaged a career-best 7.1 points, along with 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 15.9 minutes across 36 games this season. Her team lost in the Final Four this year but last season she came off the bench for South Carolina and helped them win the national title.
“You come to a great program like South Carolina you are expected to be around greatest, compete around greatest,” Amihere added on how playing for South Caroline helped improve her game to get to the WNBA level. “Just that environment and being able to get better everyday served me well and I am glad to be here.”
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Last season there were three Canadians in the WNBA: Bridget Carleton and Natalie Achonwa (Minnesota Lynx) and Kia Nurse (Phoenix Mercury).
Amihere is familiar with all three of the athletes who are also part of Team Canada’s National Senior Women’s Basketball program. Amihere has represented Canada on the international stage a number of times including the 2020 Olympic qualifying tournament, 2021 FIBA AmeriCup and the 2022 FIBA World Cup for Canada.
After being drafted Amihere was asked how playing for Team Canada and playing against some of tough USA teams has prepared her for the moment. “I have no fear. I go out there I compete hard and playing against those players has prepped me for this moment and I’m just so excited.”
The Atlanta Dreams first regular season game is May 20th when they visit the Dallas Wings who drafted Maddy Siegrist third overall at this year’s draft.
