Tèmítọ́pẹ́ Títílọlá Olúwatóbilọ́ba Fagbenle, known as Temi Fagbenle, is a British-Nigerian professional basketball player currently playing as a center for the Golden State Valkyries of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Born on September 8, 1992, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Nigerian parents, Fagbenle’s early life was marked by a transatlantic upbringing.
Her family relocated to London, England, when she was two years old, where she spent much of her childhood before returning to the United States at age fifteen to pursue her education and basketball career.
A multi-talented athlete with a global presence, Fagbenle has represented Great Britain in international competitions, including the 2012 London Olympics, and has built a remarkable career in professional basketball, complemented by her academic achievements, including degrees from Harvard University and the University of Southern California (USC).
Siblings
Temi comes from a large and accomplished family, being one of twelve siblings born to her father, Tunde Fagbenle, a former journalist, and six different mothers.
Her siblings span a 39-year age gap and are spread across multiple continents, yet they remain connected through modern technology and a shared drive for success.
Among her eleven siblings are several notable figures, including O.T. Fagbenle, a Hollywood actor known for his role in The Handmaid’s Tale and his upcoming appearance in Marvel’s Black Widow.
Her brother Luti Fagbenle is a film producer, while Oladapo “Daps” Fagbenle is a renowned video producer and director who has worked with artists like Beyoncé, Drake, and Nicki Minaj.
Another sibling, Dapo Fagbenle, played college basketball at Campbell University and Bellarmine University, sharing Temi’s athletic inclinations.
The family also includes Kunle, Dokun, Banke, Tito, Pekun, Torera, Tife, and Tani, though less is publicly known about their individual pursuits.
Career
Fagbenle’s basketball journey began in London with the Haringey Angels club, where her talent quickly emerged despite her initial focus on tennis.
At fifteen, she earned a scholarship to Blair Academy in New Jersey, a prestigious prep school, where she led the team to a state title and was named to the McDonald’s All-American team.
Also Read: Jewell Loyd Siblings: Getting to Know Jarryd Loyd
She then attended Harvard University, playing for the Crimson and earning accolades such as the 2013 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a 2014 First-Team All-Ivy League selection.
After three seasons at Harvard, where she averaged 14.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in her final year, she transferred to USC for her senior season, earning All-Pac-12 honors in 2016 with averages of 13.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
She completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology at Harvard and later earned a master’s degree in strategic public relations from USC.
Fagbenle was selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the third round (35th overall) of the 2016 WNBA Draft.
After taking a year to complete her master’s degree, she debuted in the WNBA in 2017, contributing to the Lynx’s championship win that season despite limited playing time.
She played three seasons with Minnesota before signing with the Indiana Fever in 2024 on a training camp contract, earning a spot on the final roster.
In her first eight games with the Fever, she averaged 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24 minutes per game before a foot injury sidelined her.
On December 6, 2024, she was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Expansion Draft, marking her latest chapter in the league.
Internationally, Fagbenle has been a cornerstone for Great Britain, competing at the 2012 London Olympics and leading the team to a fourth-place finish at EuroBasket 2019.
Accolades
Fagbenle’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that reflect her excellence on and off the court.
In high school, she was named to the McDonald’s All-American team, recognizing her as one of the top high school players in the United States.
At Harvard, she earned the 2013 Ivy League Rookie of the Year award and was selected to the First-Team All-Ivy League in 2014.
Her transfer to USC resulted in an All-Pac-12 team honor in 2016.
In the WNBA, she won a championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017, becoming the first British player to achieve this feat.
Internationally, she was named to the EuroBasket All-Star Five in 2019 after leading Great Britain to their best-ever finish at the tournament.
Her overseas achievements include consecutive Polish league championships and MVP honors with CCC Polkowice, a Spanish league title with Perfumerías Avenida, and the 2024 EuroCup and Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL) titles with the London Lions.
Additionally, she was named the 2019 WKBL Import Player of the Year during her time in South Korea.