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.

Imani Wright
Personal information
Born (1995-02-05) February 5, 1995 (age 29)
Talladega, Alabama, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Career information
High schoolLiberty-Eylau High School
(Texarkana, Texas)
College
WNBA draft2018: 3rd round, 26th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Mercury
Playing career2018–present
PositionGuard
Career history
As player:
2018Phoenix Mercury
2018-2019Femeni Sant Adria
As coach:
2019-2020Pittsburgh (Ast. DOBO)
Career highlights and awards
  • AP Honorable Mention All-American (2018)
  • WBCA Honorable Mention All-American (2018)
  • All-ACC First Team (2018)
  • All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention (2015)

College career

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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

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Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Baylor 37 195 .290 .276 .811 1.7 0.7 0.4 0.2 5.3
2014–15 Baylor 37 349 .389 .316 .734 3.2 2.5 0.9 0.2 9.4
2015–16 Florida State Redshirted - NCAA Transfer
2016–17 Florida State 35 375 .392 .378 .690 2.2 1.2 1.0 0.1 10.7
2017–18 Florida State 32 523 .407 .383 .724 2.9 2.2 0.9 0.1 16.3
Career 141 1442 .380 .349 .736 2.5 1.6 0.8 0.2 10.2

WNBA career

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Phoenix Mercury

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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

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2018 Phoenix 1 0 1.0 .000 .000 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Career 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

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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

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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]

References

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