Michaela Onyenwere is a notable WNBA player, drafted 6th in total by the New York Liberty in 2021. Rising to prominence, she was named AP Rookie of the Year and displayed her talents with Team USA, earning a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. With a solid collegiate background at UCLA, Onyenwere continues to improve her skills and marketability in the league. Her path is filled with impressive milestones that highlight her athletic skill and potential.
Early Life
Michaela Onyenwere is the daughter of Edith and Peter Onyenwere, with her father having represented Nigeria in the Olympics. During her childhood, she demonstrated her athletic skill across multiple sports, particularly excelling in basketball.
At Grandview High School, she emerged as a standout player, leading her team to a Colorado State title in 2017. Her senior year was marked by impressive statistics, averaging 20.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, which earned her accolades such as Ms. Colorado Basketball and the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year. Furthermore, she was selected as a McDonalds All-American in 2017.
Following high school, she chose to attend UCLA, drawn by its strong combination of athletic and academic opportunities, where she became a four-year letter winner and a top scorer in the program’s history.
Family Life
Michaela Onyenwere comes from a supportive family with a remarkable athletic legacy. Her father, Peter Onyenwere, represented Nigeria in the Olympics, highlighting the family’s strong ties to sports.
Michaela has three older brothers and a younger brother, creating a close-knit family dynamic. The Onyenwere family places a high value on education and athletics, which greatly influenced Michaela’s decision to attend UCLA.
Career
Michaela Onyenwere is a professional basketball player who was drafted 6th in total by the New York Liberty in the 2021 WNBA Draft, where she quickly made her mark by being unanimously named the AP Rookie of the Year.
During her impressive rookie season, she averaged 8.6 points and 2.9 rebounds while logging 22.5 minutes per game and starting in 29 of 32 games.
In the following 2022 season, she played in 34 out of 36 games and contributed considerably to her team’s success, helping them secure their initial postseason victory since 2015, while averaging 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds.
Throughout her career, Onyenwere has maintained an average of 7.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, with a solid career field goal percentage of 39.9%.
Her international experience also includes earning a silver medal with Team USA at the 2019 Pan American Games, where she exhibited her skills by averaging 10.0 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Net Worth
Michaela Onyenwere’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, greatly influenced by her 2021 WNBA draft position and her current salary of $72,000 with the Chicago Sky for the 2023 season.
Throughout her career, she has earned notable salaries, including $68,000 during her rookie season with the New York Liberty in 2021, $70,000 in 2022, and her current salary, contributing to her total financial standing.
Furthermore, Onyenwere’s collegiate success at UCLA and international experience with Team USA improve her marketability, likely attracting lucrative endorsement deals that further strengthen her net worth.