Natalie Achonwa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Natalie Achonwa

Achonwa with the Indiana Fever in 2019
Michigan Wolverines
Assistant coach for player development
Personal information
Born	(1992-11-22) November 22, 1992 (age 32) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
High school	St. Mary's Catholic (Hamilton, Ontario)
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
College	Notre Dame (2010–2014)
NBA Draft	2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th overall
Selected by the Indiana Fever
Pro career	2015–2024
Coaching career	2024–present
League	Big Ten Conference
Career history
As player:
2015–2020	Indiana Fever
2015–2016	Dike Napoli
2016–2017	Bucheon KEB Hana Bank
2017–2018	Asan Woori Bank Wibee
2018–2019	Jiangsu Phoenix
2019–2020	Tango Bourges Basket
2020–2021	Famila Schio
2021–2023	Minnesota Lynx
As coach:
2024–present	Michigan (asst.)
Career highlights and awards
Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award (2020) WNBA Season-Long Community Assist Award (2019) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2015) Third-team All-American – AP (2015) Second-team All-ACC (2015) 2× First-team All-Big East (2013, 2014) Big East All-Freshman Team (2012)
Medals Women's basketball Representing  Canada FIBA AmeriCup Gold 2015 Canada Silver 2013 Mexico Pan American Games Gold 2015 Toronto Team

Natalie Chioma Achonwa, born on November 22, 1992, is a Canadian basketball star. She used to play professionally and represented Canada in four Olympic Games. Natalie played for the Minnesota Lynx in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She also played college basketball at Notre Dame. Natalie was born in Toronto, Ontario, and started playing basketball in Guelph, Ontario. She is about 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall. Today, she is an assistant coach for player development at Michigan.

Early Life and Basketball Beginnings

Natalie Achonwa went to Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute in Guelph, Ontario, for grade 9. Later, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario. There, she joined Canada Basketball's NEDA program at St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School. This helped her develop her basketball skills.

College Basketball Journey

Natalie Achonwa made history at Notre Dame. She was the first international player to join their women's basketball team. In 2011, she was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team. She also won the Big East Freshman of the Week award.

In 2012, Natalie was part of the NCAA Raleigh Regional All-Tournament Team. During her junior year, she received an Honorable Mention for the Associated Press All-America Team. Throughout her time at Notre Dame, her team reached the Final Four four times. They also played in the National Championship game three times.

In her last home game, on March 31, 2014, Natalie suffered a knee injury. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This happened with about five minutes left in Notre Dame's big win over Baylor. That victory helped her team reach the NCAA Final Four.

In 2015, Natalie was honored as the Notre Dame Representative. She was part of the 2015 Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Legends Class.

College Statistics Overview

Here's a look at Natalie Achonwa's performance during her college career:

Professional Basketball Career

Playing in the WNBA

Indiana Fever (2015–2020)

The Indiana Fever picked Natalie Achonwa ninth overall in the 2014 WNBA draft. She could not play in the 2014 WNBA season. This was because of the knee injury she got during college. While recovering, Natalie worked as an interim Director of Operations for Notre Dame's women's basketball program.

Natalie signed her first WNBA contract in February 2015. She was ready to play for the 2015 WNBA season. As a backup center for the Fever, she played 28 games. She started 17 of those games. She averaged 8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The Fever finished third in their conference.

Natalie was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team that year. The Fever, led by stars Tamika Catchings and Marissa Coleman, reached the WNBA Finals. They played against the Minnesota Lynx but lost the series 3–2.

In the 2016 WNBA season, Natalie played in 24 games. She came off the bench with limited playing time. The Fever made the playoffs again. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Mercury.

During the 2017 season, Natalie played all 34 games. She started in 17 of them. She averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Despite her efforts, the Fever had a tough season. They finished with a 9–25 record.

In 2018, Natalie became a full-time starter for the Fever. She played all 34 games. She achieved her career-high scores and rebounds in this new role. Still, the Fever continued to struggle. They finished with a 6–28 record, the worst in the league.

In 2019, Natalie re-signed with the Fever. She played 30 games and started 18. The Fever improved their record but missed the playoffs. They finished with a 13–21 record.

The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Games were played in a "bubble" at IMG Academy. Natalie played 18 games and started 11. The Fever again missed the playoffs. They finished with a 6–16 record.

Minnesota Lynx (2021–2023)

On January 28, 2021, Natalie Achonwa signed a multi-year deal. She joined the Minnesota Lynx as a free agent.

Playing Overseas

During the WNBA off-season, Natalie played for teams around the world.

• In 2015–16, she played in Italy for Dike Napoli.
• In November 2016, she joined Bucheon KEB Hana Bank in South Korea.
• In 2017, she played for Asan Woori Bank Wibee, also in South Korea.
• In 2018, she signed with Jiangsu Phoenix in China.
• In 2019, she played for Tango Bourges Basket in France.
• In 2020, she joined Famila Schio in Italy.

International Career with Canada

Natalie Achonwa made her debut on the Canadian national team in 2009. She was only 16 years old, making her the youngest player ever on the team. She competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women.

In 2013, Natalie played in the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Mexico. She averaged 7.5 points per game. She helped Canada win a silver medal, finishing second. Canada beat Cuba in a preliminary game. However, Cuba won the championship game 79–71.

She missed the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women due to her injury.

Natalie was invited to play for Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics. This was her second time at the Olympics. She also played for Canada at the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

Natalie was part of the Canadian team at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She made her fourth and final Olympic appearance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This is the most by any Canadian basketball player. She played in 79 career games for Canada's national team. This is the second-highest number in team history.

Pan American Games 2015

Natalie was a key player for the Canadian women's basketball team. They competed in the Pan American Games in Toronto, Ontario, in July 2015. Canada started strong, winning against Venezuela 101–38. They then beat Argentina 73–58. In their final preliminary game, Canada narrowly won against Cuba 71–68.

Canada then faced Brazil in the semifinal. They won 91–63, earning a spot in the gold-medal game against the USA.

The gold-medal game was held in a sold-out arena. Fans cheered loudly for the home team, Canada. The Canadian team sang "Oh Canada" together before the game. The USA took an early lead. But Canada, boosted by the home crowd, fought back. They tied the game at halftime.

In the third quarter, Canada played amazingly. They outscored the US 26–15. Their lead grew to as much as 18 points. The USA tried to catch up, but Canada held on. Canada won the game 81–73, earning their first gold medal in basketball at the Pan Am Games. Natalie contributed 13 points and two rebounds in this historic win.

Coaching Career

On September 10, 2024, Natalie Achonwa started a new role. She became an assistant coach for player development at Michigan.

WNBA Career Statistics Overview

Here are Natalie Achonwa's statistics from her WNBA career:

Regular Season Games

Playoff Games

Personal Life

Natalie Achonwa's father moved from Nigeria to Canada when he was twelve years old.

See also

In Spanish: Natalie Achonwa para niños