Heading into her second Olympic Games, Laeticia Amihere is on track to make history. The Atlanta Dream forward is the youngest Olympian in Atlanta’s franchise history, having made continuous appearances in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Here is what you need to know: 

Hometown: Mississauga

Sport: Basketball

Background: Amihere debuted with Canada’s cadet national team in 2015, winning Canada’s first ever gold at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship. In 2016, she played in an exhibition series with the junior program in Spain, personally averaging more than eight points and 10 rebounds per game. Competing at the U17 World Championship, Amihere led the tournament in blocks and rebounds as the top Canadian in points per game, bringing the team towards a seventh finish.

In 2017, Amihere made her senior national team debut during the exhibition series in Europe. In her final appearance with the junior program that year, Amihere ushered Canada to bronze at the U19 FIBA World Cup. She was named to the tournament All-Star Team after securing an average of 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Amihere made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 with Canada, finishing ninth overall. In 2021, she helped Canada to fourth place at the AmeriCup as an excellent scorer. 

In 2022, Amihere played for the University of South Carolina, winning the NCAA Championships. She led the Gamecocks to three SEC titles and four NCAA Final Four appearances.

Amihere debuted with the Atlanta Dream basketball team after being selected eighth overall in the 2023 WNBA draft.

Career highlights: As a freshman in 2020, Amihere was a part of the first team in school history to end the season ranked first nationally.

Amihere was Canada’s leading scorer at the 2021 AmeriCup. She averaged 13 points per game for a total of 78 points as Canada claimed fourth place following a loss to Brazil in a match for bronze.

At the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, Canada claimed another fourth place result, marking their best finish at the tournament since 1986.

Where it all started: Amihere’s first sport was soccer, however, her height drew her to feel more at home on the court. She took up basketball in the sixth grade and gained a renewed confidence. While in high school, Amihere became the first Canadian woman to dunk a basketball in a game at the young age of 15.

Fun fact: Amihere graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2022 with a degree in Sports and Entertainment Management. Now, she is pursuing a master’s degree in her field.

Olympic event dates: Basketball (#11) versus France (July 30), basketball (#22) versus Australia (Aug. 2), and basketball (#34) versus Nigeria (Aug. 4).

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