Former Utah women’s basketball star and current Minnesota Lynx rookie Alissa Pili just signed a deal to be a Nike N7 Ambassador last week.
Nike’s N7 initiative is designed to bring equity to the field and court for Native American and Indigenous communities across the country.
Pili garnered significant attention during her last season with the Utes, attracting sizable crowds of Indigenous fans who traveled long distances, sometimes for hours, to watch her play, largely because of her Iñupiat and Samoan background.
Nike’s N7 Fund, in conjunction with other grants, has amassed $10.8 million since 2009, supporting nearly 300 organizations committed to engaging Native youth in sports.
Pili Power Continues In The WNBA
Pili’s power and impact has continued in her short time in the WNBA and will only continue to grow with her new partnership with Nike and N7.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Lynx had more than 100 local Samoan fans who showed up for Minnesota’s home opener last month to see Pili play.
Before her WNBA Draft, the skilled rookie made a noteworthy gesture by wearing a custom-made dress to honor her Samoan roots. Needless to say, Pili is acutely aware of her influence, not just on the basketball court but also off it, particularly for young girls who rarely witness someone like them competing at the highest echelons of sports.
Michelle Bodkin serves as the Utah Utes Insider at KSLsports.com and is also the host of the Crimson Corner Podcast and The Saturday Show, airing on The KSL Sports Zone from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can follow her on various platforms, including X, Instagram, and Threads, under the handle @BodkinKSLsport.
