With an NCAA national title and appearances at the Olympics, FIBA Women's World Cup and FIBA Women's AmeriCup already under her belt, Laeticia Amihere has already achieved more than most at the age of 21.
But the Mississauga, Ont., native is a competitor, and always looking for the next step in her basketball career. So when her name was called by the Atlanta Dream as the eighth-overall pick at the 2023 WNBA Draft, it was just another stepping stone in her already incredible journey.
It was apparent to the Dream that Amihere's wide skillset would be of use to them, especially defensively, which is why they drafted her eighth overall, making her the highest Canadian draft pick in 10 years since Kayla Alexander was drafted eighth overall in 2013.
"Wow, I did not know that! That's amazing to hear," said Amihere after learning that she was the highest pick since Alexander.
Amihere also becomes one of just four active Canadians in the WNBA, joining Natalie Achonwa, Kia Nurse and Bridget Carleton.
Being able to represent Canada from such a young age on the national level but now also being representation for Canada in the league shows that Amihere's journey is more than just her own preservation, dedication and success, but her fuel to inspire a generation behind her as well.
"Playing on a national team, playing for Canada has been something that I take pride in. Obviously, I'm wearing my Olympic necklace, because it just means so much for me. But what means the most to me is those little girls that are looking, I have a nonprofit and building up the women that are underserved, and those women that are not getting those exposures, like the powerhouses in the United States and the bigger countries that have that, is my biggest goal," said Amihere.
"All those Canadians, and all those people that are not only Canadian, but in West Africa, and in countries that are underserved, and they're overlooked. You can make it, I promise you can because I was that kid, and I'm on the biggest stage now. And I'm really trying to pave a way for all those young women. Just keep going, because, trust me, basketball is on the rise for women."
Amihere spent four seasons in Columbia, South Carolina with the Gamecocks, working under Dawn Staley mainly as a rotational player, but her impact off the bench was always necessary in the team's success which is how she became the first non-starter drafted in the first round since UConn's Azura Stevens in 2018.
She averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 48.7 per cent in 36 games this season, and the Gamecocks had an undefeated record in the SEC as conference champions.
"Coach Staley is a phenomenal coach, I mean that wholeheartedly. Not just as her coaching style, but as a person. She cares so deeply for us. When I came here, I had a vision, but she also had a vision for me," said Amihere.
"She said 'LA, don't worry.' That's what she would always say because, you know, obviously I'm not getting as many minutes as I would at a different program, she said 'LA, don't worry, I got you,' and she instilled that promise, and I'm here now because of her and because of the coaching staff that believed in me, so I'm so thankful for who she is and what she has done for my my journey."
During the 2023 NCAA Women's March Madness, where South Carolina ultimately fell to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes, Amihere recorded eight points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in just 15 minutes during that performance, showing future teams her capabilities on both sides of the ball.
Amihere will credit her success to those around her, as she was a member of "The Freshies", the South Carolina 2019 freshman class including No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston, No. 10 overall pick Zia Cooke, and No. 24 overall pick Brea Beal.
Together, the group led South Carolina to a 129-9 record, were SEC regular season champions twice and SEC Tournament champions three times and made three Final Four appearances in three years, as the 2020 tournament was cancelled.
"It's an amazing experience, really, because this group of girls have been through life together. You know, these four years haven't been only about basketball, but it's about growing as women together," said Amihere. "Being able to be with them, on one of our biggest nights, has been just an amazing experience."
Amihere won't take any credit herself, but her defensive prowess has caught eyes - she set the school record for most blocked shots in an NCAA Tournament game with nine against Texas in 2021.
The 6-foot-4 power forward is going to a Dream team that may not have the record to show, finishing 14-22 last year, but the team has a lot of potential and upside as they have had high draft picks in the last few years, and also managed to grab Stanford's Haley Jones with the sixth-overall pick in this year's draft.
"I've been in a background where winning has been my culture, I've been winning for most of my life, you know, obviously very successful at South Carolina," said Amihere.
"I want to bring that winning culture to Atlanta, and I know that that is their plan. That is what they're trying to do. They're on the rise right now, and that's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to bring a winning culture into the program."
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