Indigenous Basketball Player Pili Procures Prodigious Pact

By Isaac White

Alissa Pili, a standout rookie for the Minnesota Lynx in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), has signed an endorsement deal with Nike’s N7 brand. The brand aims to empower Native American and Indigenous communities through sport. Pili, who is of Indigenous and Samoan descent, represents the spirit and goals of the N7 initiative.

"I'm so honored to join the Nike Family as an N7 athlete," Pili said. "Representation is important to me, and I look forward to making an impact in the league and demonstrating to all the Indigenous and Polynesian girls who love the game that they can reach their dreams."

Drafted eighth overall by the Lynx in 2024, Pili has been a dominant force on the court since her high school days in Alaska, earning titles such as three-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year and Pac-12 Player of the Year during her time at the University of Utah. Beyond her impressive athletic achievements, Pili has been an active advocate for her heritage, engaging large crowds of young Indigenous and Polynesian fans. Her influence was highlighted at the Lynx’s home opener, which attracted over 100 Samoan supporters.

At the 2024 WNBA Draft, Pili made a fashion statement by wearing a tribal-print dress designed by AAPI designer Jason Vu, showcasing her Polynesian roots. This gesture was emblematic of her commitment to celebrating and representing her culture.

Nike N7, launched in 2000, supports sports programs for Indigenous youth through proceeds from its N7 Collection. Over the past 15 years, Nike has donated nearly $11 million to some 300 organizations under this initiative.

Following a recent game against the Phoenix Mercury, Pili met with several local Indigenous leaders, including Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, emphasizing her role as a bridge between diverse cultures and the sports community.

Pili joins other prominent Indigenous athletes in the N7 family, such as Olympic hammer thrower Janee Kassanavoid from the Comanche Nation and NBA star Kyrie Irving, who has heritage from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

During her collegiate career, which began at USC before transferring to Utah, Pili was a consistent starter and showed significant improvement in her scoring, especially from beyond the arc. Her final college season stats boasted an average of 21.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, earning her All-Pac-12 and third-team All-American honors.

Pili’s journey from a high school athlete in Alaska to a professional in the WNBA, coupled with her dedication to her heritage, makes her a fitting ambassador for Nike’s N7 program, poised to inspire the next generation of athletes from Native American and Indigenous communities.