Imani Wright Explained

Imani Wright
League:WNBA
Position:Guard
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Birth Date:5 February 1995
Birth Place:Talladega, Alabama, U.S.
High School:Liberty-Eylau High School
(Texarkana, Texas)
College:
Draft League:WNBA
Draft Year:2018
Draft Round:3
Draft Pick:26
Draft Team:Phoenix Mercury
Career Start:2018
Team1:Phoenix Mercury
Years2:2018-2019
Team2:Femeni Sant Adria
Cyears1:2019-2020
Cteam1:Pittsburgh (Ast. DOBO)
Highlights:
  • AP Honorable Mention All-American (2018)
  • WBCA Honorable Mention All-American (2018)
  • All-ACC First Team (2018)
  • All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention (2015)

Imani Wright (born February 6, 1995) is a former American professional basketball player. She was drafted and played one season with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA during the 2018 WNBA season. She played college basketball at Florida State and Baylor.

College career

Wright came out of high school as the 31st overall ranked recruit per ESPN HoopGurlz Top 100.[1] Wright committed to Baylor and joined the 20th ranked incoming freshman class.[2] Wright spent the first two years of her college career with the Lady Bears. During her sophomore season with Baylor, Wright became the starter and led the team in 3-pointers made for the year.[3] Following her sophomore season, Wright decided that she would leave Baylor and transfer.[4]

Wright transferred to Florida State and had two years of eligibility remaining.[5] She had to sit out 2015–2016 season due to the NCAA Transfer rules. During the two years she did play for the Seminoles, Wright continued to shoot lights out, as she recorded an FSU single-season record with 103 made 3-pointers during her redshirt senior season.[6] For the 2017–2018 season, Wright was named to the All-ACC First Team by both the Coaches and Media, as well as being named an AP Honorable Mention All-American.[7] [8]

College statistics

YearTeamGPPointsFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2013–14Baylor37195.290.276.8111.70.70.40.25.3
2014–15Baylor37349.389.316.7343.22.50.90.29.4
2015–16Florida StateRedshirted - NCAA Transfer
2016–17Florida State35375.392.378.6902.21.21.00.110.7
2017–18Florida State32523.407.383.7242.92.20.90.116.3
Career1411442.380.349.7362.51.60.80.210.2

WNBA career

Phoenix Mercury

Wright was selected 26th overall in the Third Round of the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury.[9] Wright made it through training camp and made the Opening Night roster for the Mercury.[10] Wright made her WNBA debut on May 23, 2018, when the Mercury played the Seattle Storm. Wright recorded 1 minute of action and attempted 1 3-pointer. Wright was waived a few days later from the Mercury.[11]

WNBA career statistics

Regular season

|-| align="left" | 2018| align="left" | Phoenix| 1 || 0 || 1.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0|-| align="left" | Career| align="left" | 1 year, 1 team| 1 || 0 || 1.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

Coaching career

Wright joined the staff of the Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team as the assistant director of Basketball Operations for the 2019–2020 season. She spent one season with the Panthers.[12]

Personal life

Wright's dad is Larry Wright who was drafted 14th overall in the 1976 NBA draft. Wright is also cousins with Matt Forte, who played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and New York Jets.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100 . ESPN.com . ESPN . 19 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Ieshia Small joins loaded Baylor class . ESPN.com . ESPN . 19 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Davis . Joshua . Imani Wright, Ieshia Small no longer on Kim Mulkey’s roster . baylorlariat.com . Baylor Lariot . 19 June 2023.
  4. Web site: Imani Wright joins 2 with remaining eligibility to leave Lady Bears . ESPN.com . ESPN . 19 June 2023.
  5. Web site: Wright transfers to FSU from Baylor in women’s basketball . Tallahassee.com . Tallahassee Democrat . 19 June 2023.
  6. Web site: IMANI WRIGHT . seminoles.com . FSU Athletics . 19 June 2023.
  7. Web site: Eiland . Clint . Shakayla Thomas, Imani Wright Named AP All-Americans . thedailynole.com . The Daily Nole . 19 June 2023.
  8. Web site: All-ACC Women’s Basketball Teams Announced . theacc.com . ACC . 19 June 2023.
  9. Web site: Weiler . Curt . Florida State's Imani Wright selected 31st overall by Phoenix Mercury in WNBA Draft . Tallahassee.com . Tallahassee Democrat . 19 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Season Preview: Phoenix Mercury enter 2018 with focus on franchise’s 4th title . brightsideofthesun.com . SB Nation . 19 June 2023.
  11. Web site: Dull . Ben . Phoenix Mercury sign Angel Robinson, waive Imani Wright . highposthoops.com . High Post Hoops . 19 June 2023.
  12. Web site: IMANI WRIGHT . Pittsburghpanthers.com . Pittsburgh Athletics . 19 June 2023.