Aaliyah Edwards is probably one of the best rookies in the WNBA, currently playing for the Washington Mystics. She built her flourishing college career at the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball. Along with Sonia Citron and Lucy Olsen, she is leading the charge of Mystics for the WNBA campaign.
Aaliyah Edwards had a standout college career at UConn from 2020 to 2024. She became one of the team’s top players, averaging a double-double as a junior and helping lead the Huskies to the Final Four in her senior year. Edwards earned first-team All-Big East and second-team All-America honors, cementing her status as one of the best forwards in the country.
Early Life
Aaliyah Edwards was born on 9th July 2002 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her parents are Jacqueline and Stanford Edwards. She began her basketball journey at Crestwood Prep in Toronto. She had a strong presence on the court in her early years, leading her to play for the Canadian national team and earning praise at a young age. After finishing high school, she enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where she majored in communications and minored in human development and family studies.
Career
Edwards played college basketball for the UConn Huskies from 2020 to 2024. In her junior year, she took a big step forward, averaging 18.3 points and 11 rebounds per game. That was a big jump from her sophomore stats of 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds.
She made history by becoming the first UConn player since Maya Moore in 2010 to post a 20-point, 20-rebound game. Her senior season was even stronger. She earned first-team All-Big East honors and was named to the second-team All-America list. UConn reached the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament with her help.
WNBA
On April 15, 2024, Aaliyah Edwards was drafted sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in the first round of the WNBA Draft. Just three days later, she signed her rookie contract with the team. She made her WNBA debut on May 15, scoring 6 points and grabbing 2 rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench during a close loss to the New York Liberty.
Four days later, she started her first game against the Seattle Storm and finished with 9 points and 11 rebounds. On June 6, Edwards had her best performance of the season, putting up 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a game against the Chicago Sky.
She moved between the bench and the starting lineup throughout the season, often stepping in for Shakira Austin, who was dealing with injuries. Edwards also missed three games in June and the final three in September due to back and ankle issues. By the end of her rookie year, she had played in 34 games and started 17. She averaged 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 21.8 minutes per game.
National Team
Aaliyah Edwards began her international career in 2017 with Canada’s junior national team, winning a silver medal at the FIBA Under-16 Women’s Americas Championship. She later competed in the 2018 U17 and 2019 U19 FIBA World Cups, serving as the youngest player on both teams.
At just 16, she made her senior national team debut in 2019 during an exhibition tournament in Belgium. That same year, she helped Canada win silver at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup and later contributed to a victory in the Americas pre-qualifying tournament for the 2020 Olympics.
In 2021, Edwards was again the youngest on Team Canada at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup and the Tokyo Olympics. Although she played limited minutes in Tokyo, her presence marked an important step in her career. She became a key contributor during the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, averaging 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, helping Canada win the bronze medal.
In July 2024, Edwards returned to Olympic play, representing Canada in the Paris Games. She played all three group stage games, averaging 3.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Despite her efforts, Canada did not advance to the quarterfinals.
Aaliyah Edwards Biography |
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| Real Name | Aaliyah Edwards |
| Birth Date | 9 July 2002 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 22 Years |
| Birthplace | Kingston, Canada |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| College | University of Connecticut |
| Class | Senior |
Physical Statistics |
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| Height | in feet inches – 6’ 3” – in Centimeters – 190 cm |
| Weight | in Kilograms – 79 kg – in Pounds – 174 lbs |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
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Family |
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| Father | Stanford Edwards |
| Mother | Jacqueline Edwards |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | – |
Relationship Status |
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| Marital Status | Single |
| Affair | No |
| Who is her boyfriend? | None |
Personal Life
There is no public information available regarding Aaliyah Edwards’ relationship status. She appears to maintain a private personal life, focusing primarily on her gameplay and academics.
Social Media
Edwards has a growing presence on social media, where she recently announced her intention to enter the WNBA draft. She has over 41k followers on her Instagram handle – @aaliyahedwards_24. Her online activity reflects her basketball career and her interactions with fans and supporters.
Aaliyah Edwards Net Worth
Aaliyah Edwards signed a four-year rookie-scale contract with the Washington Mystics after being selected sixth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. The deal is worth a total of $324,383, with an average annual salary of $81,096.
In her rookie season, she will earn $73,439, followed by $74,909 in 2025. Her salary will rise to $82,399 in 2026 and $93,636 in 2027, both of which are restricted free agent years. The contract provides guaranteed income and a steady increase in pay throughout her first four years in the league.
