Isabelle “Izzy” Harrison is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Chicago Sky in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and USK Praha in the Czech Women’s Basketball League.
A standout athlete from the University of Tennessee, she has carved out a notable career in the WNBA despite overcoming significant challenges, including a torn ACL, an autoimmune disorder, and personal loss.
Harrison comes from a large, athletic family, being the 10th of 12 children born to Dennis Harrison, a former NFL defensive lineman who played for 10 seasons, and his wife, Ida.
Her upbringing in a bustling household filled with sports and sibling rivalry shaped her into the resilient and driven player she is today.
Siblings
Isabelle grew up in a family that was practically its own sports team, with 11 siblings who shared a love for athletics.
The Harrison siblings—seven girls and five boys—are Idette, Dennis Jr. (D.J.), Danielle, David, Dianne, Daniel, Della, DeeDee, Isaiah, Ian, and Dorie.
This large brood filled their Nashville home with constant activity, from pickup basketball games to impromptu outdoor sports.
Isabelle has often credited her siblings for igniting her passion for basketball, noting that as a younger sibling, she was always eager to emulate and compete against them.
Several of her siblings have made their own marks in the world of sports. Dennis Jr. (D.J.), one of Isabelle’s older brothers, played professional basketball overseas, showcasing the family’s athletic genes.
David, another brother, also pursued basketball overseas and was a first-round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, standing at an impressive 7 feet tall.
DeeDee, Isabelle’s older sister, was a standout volleyball player at the University of Tennessee, earning Honorable Mention All-America honors as a middle blocker from 2008 to 2012.
She ranks eighth on the Lady Vols’ career blocks list and later played professionally.
Dorie, the youngest sibling, followed in Isabelle’s footsteps by playing college basketball at Lipscomb and Kentucky.
She also joined the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball roster in 2024, further extending the family’s athletic legacy.
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Career
Harrison’s basketball journey began at Hillsboro High School in Nashville, where she also played volleyball, honing skills that would later enhance her vertical leap and blocking ability.
She went on to excel at the University of Tennessee, where she played from 2011 to 2015.
Despite tearing her ACL in her senior year against Kentucky in February 2015, Harrison’s college performance earned her a spot in the 2015 WNBA Draft, where she was selected 12th overall by the Phoenix Mercury.
Harrison’s professional career has spanned multiple teams and leagues.
With the Phoenix Mercury in 2016, after sitting out the 2015 season due to her ACL injury, Harrison debuted, averaging 3.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 26 games as a reserve.
Traded to the San Antonio Stars in 2017, she had a breakout season, starting 33 of 34 games and averaging a career-high 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Over four seasons with the Dallas Wings from 2019 to 2022, Harrison solidified her reputation as a versatile forward, averaging 9.0 points and 5.2 rebounds.
In 2021, she became the third player in WNBA history to record 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 4+ steals off the bench in a single game.
Joining the Chicago Sky in 2023, Harrison continued to showcase her skills, though she missed time due to a knee injury requiring surgery.
In Athletes Unlimited from 2022 to 2024, Harrison has excelled, earning the inaugural Defensive Player of the Year title in 2022 and posting multiple 40-point games, a league record.
Overseas, she has competed with teams like USK Praha in the Czech Republic, Passalacqua Ragusa in Italy, and others, broadening her experience.
Accolades
Harrison’s career is decorated with numerous honors reflecting her talent and impact.
In the WNBA, she was named the 2019 Associated Press WNBA Comeback Player of the Year and became the third player in WNBA history to achieve 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 4+ steals off the bench in 2021.
In Athletes Unlimited, she received the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award as its inaugural recipient, was named to the 2022 All-Defensive Team, and holds a league record for multiple 40-point games.
At the University of Tennessee, she earned two-time Honorable Mention All-American status in 2014 and 2015, All-SEC First Team in 2015, and was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll from 2011 to 2015.
She also appeared on the Naismith Trophy Women’s 50 Watch List in 2015, the Wade Trophy Watch List in 2015, and the John Wooden Midseason Top-20 in 2015, and ranks sixth in program history with 31 double-doubles.
In high school, she was recognized as All-District and Second-Team All-State in 2011.
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