Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is detailed information about Alissa Pili:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Alissa Pili
  • Nationality: American (of Samoan descent)
  • Date of Birth: June 8, 2001
  • Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 3 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: Wears #35 (Minnesota Lynx)
  • Position: Forward
  • High School: Dimond High School (Anchorage, Alaska)
  • College:
    • University of Southern California (2019–2022)
    • University of Utah (2022–Present)
  • WNBA Draft: Eighth overall, 2024 WNBA Draft by Minnesota Lynx
  • Teams Played For: None (college athlete)
  • Championship Rings: None (as of now)
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Comes from a large family; has multiple siblings, including Brandon Pili, who plays football at the collegiate level.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Alissa Pili projects as a scoring-first combo forward whose game is built on power, touch, and efficiency rather than pure length or vertical pop. Defensively, she has typically been asked to hold her ground in the frontcourt, battle on the glass, and survive with positioning and strength, though some evaluators have questioned how smoothly that end of the floor will translate against faster pro matchups. Offensively, her value comes from being a versatile bucket-getter: she can score on the block, face up from mid-range, draw fouls, and stretch defenses when her three-point shot is falling, which made her one of the most productive and efficient forwards in college basketball. Physically, Pili stands 6-foot-2 with a strong, sturdy frame and the kind of balance that lets her dislodge defenders and finish through contact. In full, her style is that of a skilled, physical forward who pressures defenses with shot-making and mismatch scoring, while relying on toughness and feel more than traditional center size or wing quickness. (Deseret News)

Deseret News — What kind of learning curve awaits Alissa Pili in the WNBA?
ESPN — Who are the top 25 players in women’s March Madness?
ESPN — WNBA draft 2024: Grading the Fever’s and every team’s night
ESPN — Indiana Fever select Iowa’s Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA draft