Finnish professional basketball player who played in the NBA and European leagues, known for his impressive three-point shooting and scoring abilities.
Awak Kuier, born on August 19, 2001, is a Finnish professional basketball player who has taken the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) by storm. Selected by the Dallas Wings with the second overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, Kuier has become the first Finnish player to play in the WNBA, making her debut in May 2021.
Kuier's journey to stardom began in her hometown of Kotka, Finland, where she was discovered by a neighbor at the age of 10. Standing at an impressive 180 cm tall, Kuier was encouraged to try out basketball, and she soon joined the local PeliKarhut team under the guidance of coach Mikko Kokkola.
Kuier's talent and dedication propelled her to new heights, earning her the title of U16 League Player of the Season in 2015-2016. She made her debut in the top-tier Naisten Korisliiga with PeKa's first team in the 2016-2017 season. At just 14 years old, a video of her dunking went viral online, showcasing her impressive skills to the world.
In 2017, Kuier joined the Helsinki Basketball Academy team HBAMrsky, where she continued to hone her skills. She played in Naisten Korisliiga with the HBA team, earning the title of Most Improved Player in 2019. Her remarkable performance earned her the league's Player of the Month award in January 2020.
Kuier's success led to her being pursued by American universities, but she opted to sign a professional contract with Lega Basket Femminile (LBF) team Virtus Eirene Ragusa Passalacqua Ragusa in 2020. Her WNBA draft selection by the Dallas Wings marked a historic moment, as she became the first non-American player since Australia's Liz Cambage in 2011 to be selected in the first five picks of the draft.
After missing the first few games of the 2021 season, Kuier made her WNBA debut for the Dallas Wings on May 27, 2021, scoring a point, a rebound, and an assist in seven minutes of game time in a 101-95 loss to the Atlanta Dream.
Awak Kuier's remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to young athletes around the world. With her speed, resilience, and exceptional skills, she is poised to leave a lasting impact on the world of women's basketball.
Kuier's decision to skip the 2024 WNBA season has sparked interest, but her commitment to playing for the Finnish national team and Italian team Reyer Venezia in LBF and EuroCup remains unwavering. As her star continues to rise, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in Awak Kuier's remarkable story.
29 Years Old
A Finnish professional basketball player who plays as a power forward in the NBA, known for his three-point shooting and athleticism.
49 Years Old
Finnish professional basketball player who played in the 1950s and 1960s, known for being one of the first Finnish players to play abroad.
