Olivia Nelson-Ododa is a rising star in professional basketball, currently playing as a forward for the Connecticut Sun in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Shanxi Flame in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA).
She comes from a family deeply rooted in basketball.
The daughter of Sebastian Ododa, a former player for Huntington University and the Kenyan national team, and Heather Nelson-Ododa, Olivia inherited a passion for the sport that has propelled her to success at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Before her professional career, she made a name for herself at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she honed her skills, and at Winder-Barrow High School, where she was named Miss Georgia Basketball.
Siblings
Olivia has two brothers, Alonzo and Isaiah Nelson-Ododa, both of whom have also pursued basketball, continuing the family’s athletic legacy.
Alonzo, the elder of Olivia’s siblings, was born on February 2, 1993, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Like his sister, he pursued basketball at a high level, playing college ball for the Richmond Spiders at the University of Richmond and later transferring to the University of Pittsburgh as a graduate student.
Alonzo played as a center and showcased his skills professionally in the Danish Superliga with Team FOG Naestved.
His last documented professional stint was in 2021, after which he appears to have stepped away from the sport.
Less is publicly known about Olivia’s younger brother, Isaiah Nelson-Ododa, compared to his high-profile siblings.
Career
Olivia’s journey began at Winder-Barrow High School, where she averaged 19 points, 16 rebounds, and six blocks per game as a senior, earning her the prestigious Miss Georgia Basketball title.
A five-star recruit, she was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, showcasing her skills on a national stage.
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At UConn, Olivia blossomed into a standout player.
As a freshman, she averaged 4.4 points and 3.8 rebounds off the bench, but her sophomore year saw her step into a bigger role, earning Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors with 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and a conference-leading 3.1 blocks per game.
By her junior year, she was named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 12 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Her senior season solidified her as a key starter, contributing to UConn’s storied program with 7.5 rebounds per game, 116 assists, and 55 blocks.
In 2022, Olivia was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in the second round (19th overall) of the WNBA Draft.
She debuted that May and was traded to the Connecticut Sun in January 2023, where she continues to grow as a professional.
Internationally, she has represented the United States, winning gold medals at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship, the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2019 Pan American Games in 3×3 basketball, along with a bronze at the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.
Accolades
Olivia’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight her prowess on the court.
In high school, she was named Miss Georgia Basketball in 2018, selected as a McDonald’s All-American in 2018, and earned three-time All-State honors in Georgia.
During her college career at UConn, she received All-BIG EAST First Team recognition in 2022, was named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, earned Second-Team All-BIG EAST honors in 2021, and Second-Team All-AAC in 2020.
She was also a two-time finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award in 2020 and 2021, recognizing the nation’s top center.
On the international stage, Olivia won gold medals at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship, the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2019 Pan American Games in 3×3 basketball, along with a bronze medal at the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.
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