Explosive WNBA scorer and Olympic gold medallist whose athleticism and relentless play have made her one of the league's most versatile weapons.
Kahleah Copper was born on 28 August 1994 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Prep Charter and Girard College before starring collegiately at Rutgers University. The Washington Mystics selected her seventh overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft, though she was traded to the Chicago Sky the following year, where she would spend three seasons largely as a bench player before earning a starting role in 2020. Copper broke out as a star in 2021, earning her first WNBA All-Star selection and helping the Chicago Sky win the franchise's first-ever WNBA championship, delivering a standout performance in the Finals that earned her Finals MVP honours. She also excelled overseas, winning EuroLeague Regular Season MVP in 2022 while playing in the Spanish league. Copper represented the United States at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Australia, helping the team win gold with an unbeaten 8-0 record despite missing two games through injury, and added an Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games, contributing key fourth-quarter scoring in the tense final against host nation France. Copper was traded to the Phoenix Mercury in February 2024, continuing her career as one of the WNBA's most athletic and clutch perimeter scorers, and has remained a key contributor for both her WNBA franchise and the U.S. national team across a career built on speed, scoring instinct, and big-game performance.
WNBA Finals MVP performance and Olympic gold medal
She won the WNBA Finals MVP in 2021, leading the Chicago Sky to their first-ever championship and delivering the defining performance of her career on the league's biggest stage.
Did You Know?How They Played
Athletic wing with strong driving ability and improved outside shooting
Lasting Impact
Dynamic scorer who led Chicago Sky to first WNBA championship
Career Honours
- WNBA Champion 2021
- Finals MVP 2021
- Olympic Gold 2020
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Sky | 2018–2024 | — | #2 |
| Washington Mystics | 2016–2017 | — | — |
| Phoenix Mercury | 2024–2024 | — | — |