Megan Gustafson Siblings: Get to Know Emily Gustafson

Megan Gustafson is a professional basketball player widely recognized for her exceptional talent and contributions to the sport.

Currently playing as a center for the Las Vegas Aces in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Gustafson has also made waves internationally, representing Spain at the 2024 Olympics.

Before her professional career, she rose to prominence at the University of Iowa, where she shattered records and earned a reputation as one of the most dominant players in NCAA women’s basketball history.

Hailing from a small town with a population barely reaching triple digits, Gustafson’s journey from Port Wing to global basketball stages is a testament to her skill and family support.

Siblings

Megan grew up in a close-knit family, and her older sister, Emily Gustafson, played a significant role in shaping her basketball journey.

Emily, who is a few years older than Megan, was her first role model on the court.

Emily attended South Shore High School alongside Megan and later pursued her own basketball career at Division II Upper Iowa University.

However, Emily’s playing days were cut short due to multiple concussions sustained during her sophomore season, leading her to transition into a team manager role for her final two years of college.

Megan has often spoken about how Emily’s influence and experiences motivated her.

In an ESPN article from 2018, Megan expressed her desire to honor her sister through her own success, stating, “I know that my sister also looks to me. So I kind of want to play for her as well.”

Career

Gustafson began making her mark at South Shore High School, where she became Wisconsin’s all-time leading scorer in girls’ basketball.

Her dominance continued at the University of Iowa, where she played from 2015 to 2019.

During her senior year, she scored an astonishing 1,000 points in a single season, a feat achieved by only four women in NCAA Division I history.

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After college, Gustafson was selected in the second round (17th overall) of the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings.

Since then, she has played for several WNBA teams, including the Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, and currently the Las Vegas Aces.

Beyond the WNBA, Gustafson has expanded her career internationally.

She has competed professionally in Greece with Olympiacos Piraeus and in Poland with Gorzow, showcasing her versatility and skill on a global stage.

In 2024, she became a naturalized Spanish citizen and debuted for Spain at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, later representing the country at the Paris Olympics.

Her career averages in the WNBA reflect steady improvement, with a notable 2023 season where she posted career highs of 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, ranking among the league’s top performers in field goal percentage.

Accolades

Gustafson’s trophy case is overflowing with accolades that highlight her extraordinary talent.

At Iowa, she was named the 2019 Naismith Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year, ESPNw Player of the Year, and USBWA Player of the Year, cementing her status as the nation’s top collegiate player.

She also won the 2019 Senior CLASS Award and the Lisa Leslie Award, recognizing her as the best center in college basketball.

Gustafson earned unanimous All-Big Ten First Team honors from 2017 to 2019 and was the Big Ten Player of the Year in both 2018 and 2019.

Her jersey number 10 was retired by Iowa in 2020, making her one of only two Hawkeye women’s basketball players to receive this honor.

Her high school achievements are equally impressive, as she finished her career as Wisconsin’s all-time leading scorer.

In the WNBA, she has continued to shine, ranking among the top 10 in field goal percentage and true shooting percentage during the 2023 season.

Internationally, her debut with Spain in 2024 added another chapter to her decorated career. Gustafson’s records at Iowa—including the program’s all-time leading rebounder (1,460) and a Big Ten record for career rebounds—underscore her lasting impact on the game.