Clark, Alysha

Two-time WNBA champion, Alysha Clark, has achieved the highest basketball honors for a female professional athlete, but not without journeying down a road of challenges, painful setbacks, and agonizing obstacles. Her exceptional high school career led to an athletic-academic scholarship to Belmont in Saint Clairsville, Ohio. Full speed ahead, from an exceptional senior year into her first year in college, Alysha was the first player in the league to ever earn “Freshman of the Year” and “Player of the Year.” Alysha’s sophomore year ended with an NCAA tournament appearance, the team’s first in history. 

During her senior year, Alysha began thinking about the potential of playing professionally, and the opportunity seemed within reach, yet her drive and motivation shifted to self-pressure, leading Alysha to countless nights of stress and angst. Then, she got the call – Alysha was informed that she was one of 14 women invited to the WNBA draft, the stage she had worked so hard to reach. With her parents and coach by her side, she graciously welcomed the opportunity to play in the WNBA as the 17th overall pick. Although the pressure was on, Alysha loved every moment of being challenged and pushed outside of her comfort zone. However, on the last day of camp in San Antonio, Alysha was cut from the team, and feeling crushed was an understatement. Waves of sadness and feelings and failure drowned her heart, yet she mustered the courage to focus on her first year overseas in Israel.

Unfortunately, Alysha was cut a second time in San Antonio. However, she knew one more shot was all she needed. Eight years later, Alysha is a 2x Israeli League champion, named to EuroLeague Women's 2nd Team, Israeli Cup champion, Israeli Cup MVP, Israeli League MVP, Polish League champion, Polish League MVP, Polish League “Forward of the Year,” 2018 and 2020 WNBA champion, WNBA all-defensive 2nd team, French League champion, 2x WNBA State Farm Community Assist Award winner, and the only woman to be named unanimously to the WBNA 1st Team All-Defense.

​Alysha went on to play for the Seattle Storm, and in the Storm's championship-clinching win in the WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics. In 2021 she went on to play for the Washington Mystics. Finally in February 2023, Alysha signed with the Las Vegas Aces and won her third WNBA championship and the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award.​​​