Shakira Austin: Her Basketball Journey, Career, Achievements, and Life

Shakira Austin’s Basketball Career Has Never Been Just About Talent. The 6-Foot-5 Center Arrived At Maryland As One Of The Most Highly Rated Players In The Country, Developed Into A Star At Ole Miss, And Was Eventually Selected Third Overall By The Washington Mystics In The 2022 WNBA Draft. Since Then, Her Career Has Included Promising Beginnings, Frustrating Injuries, International Success, And A Remarkable Return To Form.

Austin’s Professional Journey Has Taken Her Beyond The WNBA, Too. She Has Played Overseas, Represented The United States, And Competed In Unrivaled. After Injuries Limited Her To Just 12 WNBA Games In 2024, She returned in 2025 and put together the strongest season of her career at that point. Then came an even bigger step forward in 2026, when she averaged 17.0 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, And 2.6 Assists Per Game.

Her 2026 campaign helped Washington return to the playoffs, while Austin finished second in the WNBA’s Most Improved Player voting. Taken together, her career tells the story of a player who has steadily expanded her game while learning how to navigate the physical demands of professional basketball.

Quick Bio Information

Shakira Austin’s Early Life And Basketball Beginnings

Shakira Austin Was Born On July 25, 2000, In Fredericksburg, Virginia. She Attended Riverdale Baptist School And Quickly Emerged As One Of The Most Promising Young Players In American Women’s Basketball.

At 6 Feet 5 Inches, Austin Had The Size To Make An Impact Near The Basket From An Early Age. But Her Physical Presence Was Only Part Of The Attraction. She also showed a natural feel for rebounding and protecting the rim, qualities that helped her stand out against strong high school competition.

By The Time She Reached The End Of High School, Austin Had Become A Nationally Recognized Prospect. She Was Rated The No. 4 Overall Player And No. 2 Forward In The 2018 Recruiting Class. She Was Also Named A 2018 McDonald’s High School All-American.

With That Kind Of Reputation, The Next Step Was Always Going To Bring High Expectations. Austin Chose Maryland, Beginning A College Career That Would Give Her A Strong Defensive Foundation Before She eventually took her game in a new direction at Ole Miss.

A Standout Beginning At Maryland

Austin Made Her Presence Felt Almost Immediately At Maryland. During The 2018–19 Season, Her Freshman Year, She Set A Maryland Single-Season Record With 89 Blocks. She Also Produced A Remarkable Performance In Her College Debut, Becoming The First Player In Program History To Record At Least 20 Rebounds In A First Game. She Finished That Contest With 21 Rebounds, 12 Points, And Seven Blocks.

Her Defensive Impact Earned Austin All-Big Ten Freshman Team And All-Big Ten Defensive Team Recognition. She wasn’t simply a young player learning the college game; she was already influencing games with her rebounding and ability to defend around the rim.

Austin continued to develop during her sophomore season. In 2019–20, she averaged 12.0 Points And 6.8 Rebounds Per Game While Shooting 50.9 Percent From The Field. She also averaged 1.8 Steals And 1.3 Blocks.

That performance earned her All-Big Ten Second Team honors. After two seasons at Maryland, however, Austin decided it was time for a change. She transferred to Ole Miss, a move that would become a major turning point in her development.

The Ole Miss Transfer That Changed Her Career

Austin Transferred To Ole Miss In April 2020 And Was Immediately Eligible. The move gave her a larger role and an opportunity to become a more prominent offensive player while retaining the defensive strengths that had already made her a highly regarded prospect.

Ole Miss viewed Austin as an important addition from the beginning. She entered the program as ESPN’s No. 1-rated transfer and quickly demonstrated why so many people had been excited about her arrival.

Her first season in Oxford, 2020–21, became a breakthrough year. Austin averaged 18.6 Points, 9.1 Rebounds, 1.8 Blocks, 1.6 Steals, And 1.3 Assists Per Game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field.

She scored in double figures in 26 of her 27 games and recorded 13 double-doubles. She also scored at least 20 points in 13 games. Those numbers showed a much more complete offensive player than the one Maryland fans had seen during her first two seasons.

Austin could now score consistently while continuing to rebound and defend at a high level. Her time at Ole Miss transformed her from an elite defensive prospect into one of the most complete players in the college game.

The Gillom Trophy And Her Final College Season

Austin’s outstanding 2020–21 season brought several major honors. She earned First-Team All-SEC recognition and WBCA Honorable Mention All-America honors. More significantly, she won the Gillom Trophy, which recognizes the top women’s college basketball player in Mississippi.

The award carried additional significance because Austin became the first Ole Miss player to win it.

She didn’t let up during her final college season. In 2021–22, Austin averaged 15.2 Points And 9.0 Rebounds Per Game while remaining one of the Rebels’ most important defensive players. She again earned First-Team All-SEC honors and won the Gillom Trophy for a second consecutive year.

By the end of her college career, Austin had averaged 13.3 Points And 8.6 Rebounds across 125 games at Maryland and Ole Miss. Her combination of size, production, defense, and experience made her an obvious candidate for the next level.

Shakira Austin Enters The WNBA

The Washington Mystics selected Austin with the third overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. It was a major milestone for a player who had entered college as one of the country’s most highly regarded recruits.

Austin arrived in Washington as a 6-Foot-5 Center with proven rebounding and shot-blocking ability and a much-improved offensive game. The Mystics gave her an opportunity to contribute right away, and she responded by playing all 36 regular-season games during her rookie campaign.

She started 32 of those games and averaged 8.7 Points, 6.5 Rebounds, 0.9 Assists, 0.7 Steals, And 0.8 Blocks Per Game.

Austin also experienced postseason basketball during her first WNBA season. She started both of Washington’s playoff games, averaging 7.0 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, And 1.0 Assist. Her rookie year ended with another important honor when she was selected to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

Progress And The Hip Injury

Austin’s second WNBA season suggested that an even bigger role could be ahead. In 2023, she raised her scoring average to 10.0 Points Per Game and improved her rebounding to 7.0 Per Game.

Unfortunately, the season never had a chance to develop fully. A hip injury limited Austin to just 19 games, less than half of Washington’s 40-game regular season.

The injury eventually required surgery to repair a torn hip labrum. For a young player still establishing herself in the WNBA, it was a significant interruption. Austin had shown clear statistical progress, but now she faced the difficult process of recovering and returning to the court.

A Defining 2025 Comeback

Austin’s 2025 season became an important answer to the questions created by her injuries. She appeared in 38 games, the most she had played in a single WNBA season at that point, and started 30.

Her numbers improved across several areas. Austin averaged 12.7 Points, 6.4 Rebounds, 1.8 Assists, 1.1 Steals, And 1.1 Blocks Per Game. She established career highs in scoring, assists, and blocks.

One of her most memorable performances came when she scored a career-high 30 points against Seattle. She also became the first player in Mystics history to record at least 30 points and four blocks in the same game.

The recognition followed. Austin earned her first WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week award and was named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.

The award was particularly fitting given the path she had taken. Just one year earlier, injuries had limited her to 12 appearances. In 2025, she returned to a much larger role and established herself as an increasingly important part of Washington’s lineup.

Shakira Austin’s Breakout 2026 WNBA Season

If 2025 was about proving she could come back, 2026 was about showing what Austin could become when healthy and given a larger role.

She started all 43 regular-season games for Washington and produced the best statistical season of her WNBA career. Austin averaged 17.0 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, And 2.6 Assists Per Game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 31.5 percent from three-point range, and 72.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The jump was substantial. Her scoring increased from 12.7 points per game in 2025 to 17.0 in 2026. Her rebounding also climbed from 6.4 to 9.5 per game, while her 2.6 assists represented another career high.

Her outside shooting was an especially encouraging development. After shooting only 13.3 percent from three-point range in 2025, Austin connected on 31.5 percent of her attempts in 2026.

That growth helped Austin finish second in the WNBA Most Improved Player voting. She received 25 of the 74 votes, while Jessica Shepard won the award with 29.

Although Austin didn’t win the award, the result still underlined how dramatically her game had progressed.

Helping Washington Return To The Playoffs

Austin’s 2026 improvement mattered beyond her individual statistics. The Mystics returned to the WNBA playoffs, finishing the regular season with a franchise-best 28 wins.

It was Washington’s first postseason appearance since 2023, and Austin was one of the key pieces of that turnaround. Her ability to score inside, rebound consistently, defend the paint, and contribute as a passer gave Washington another dependable option on both ends of the floor.

The Mystics eventually fell to the Atlanta Dream in the first round. Even so, the season represented a major step forward for a young Washington roster, and Austin’s development was one of the biggest reasons for optimism surrounding the team.

Her International And Overseas Basketball Experience

Austin’s career has also taken her beyond the WNBA. In 2022, she signed with Elitzur Ramla in Israel after completing her rookie WNBA season. The Israeli club was the reigning champion, and Austin helped Ramla capture another title.

Her international club experience gave her an opportunity to compete in a different basketball environment while continuing to develop professionally. It also demonstrated that her physical and defensive strengths could translate outside the WNBA.

Austin has also represented the United States on the international stage. She was part of the American team that won the gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Her USA Basketball opportunities continued afterward. She was invited to train with the senior national team in 2024 and also participated in a USA women’s 3×3 development camp.

Her 3×3 experience added yet another dimension to her game. The format is faster and more open than traditional five-on-five basketball, requiring players to make decisions quickly and cover more space. For a center like Austin, that creates additional opportunities to use her rebounding, physical defense, screening, finishing, and ability to react around the basket.

Shakira Austin And Unrivaled

Austin also became part of Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 professional league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

She played for the Lunar Owls during the league’s inaugural 2025 season. The competition gave Austin another opportunity to remain active during the WNBA offseason while adapting her game to a different style of basketball.

She later joined Rose BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season. Austin averaged 15.6 Points, 8.5 Rebounds, And 1.3 Assists in 14 games for Rose.

Her 2026 Unrivaled campaign included some notable individual performances. She scored 31 points against the Lunar Owls on January 30, 2026, and recorded five double-doubles during the season.

Playing in different professional formats has become a useful part of Austin’s career. Her résumé now includes traditional college basketball, the WNBA, overseas competition, international five-on-five basketball, and 3×3 play.

What Makes Shakira Austin Effective?

Austin’s biggest strengths are easy to spot around the basket. Her 6-Foot-5 frame allows her to compete physically with opposing centers, while her rebounding instincts help her create additional possessions for her team.

Defense has been another constant throughout her career. At Maryland, she established herself as a shot blocker, setting the school’s freshman block record. At Ole Miss, she continued to protect the rim while becoming a more productive offensive player.

Her offensive development has arguably been the most interesting part of her professional growth. Austin entered the WNBA averaging 8.7 points as a rookie. She reached 12.7 points per game in 2025 before making another significant jump to 17.0 in 2026.

She also became more comfortable contributing as a passer. Her 2.6 assists per game in 2026 were a career high, suggesting that her role had expanded beyond simply finishing plays around the basket.

The improvement in her three-point shooting is another encouraging sign. Austin’s 31.5 percent mark from deep in 2026 was considerably better than her previous WNBA numbers and gave opponents another element to consider when defending her.

Shakira Austin’s Career Statistics And Achievements

Through the end of the 2026 regular season, Austin had appeared in 148 WNBA games and started 133. Her career averages stood at 12.5 Points, 7.4 Rebounds, And 1.6 Assists Per Game.

Her college career was equally productive. Across 125 games at Maryland and Ole Miss, she averaged 13.3 Points And 8.6 Rebounds.

Austin’s list of achievements has continued to grow since high school. She was a McDonald’s High School All-American, earned All-Big Ten honors at Maryland, and won the Gillom Trophy twice at Ole Miss.

Her professional résumé includes being selected third overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft and earning a place on the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Internationally, she was part of the U.S. team that won the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Then came the 2025 AP Comeback Player of the Year award, followed by her second-place finish in the 2026 Most Improved Player voting.

Taken together, those honors show a player whose career has continued to evolve rather than remaining fixed at the level she reached as a college star.

What’s Next For Shakira Austin?

The Mystics’ continued belief in Austin was evident when Washington re-signed her to a multi-year contract in April 2026. The decision followed her strong 2025 campaign and reflected the organization’s confidence in what she could contribute over the long term.

Her 2026 season only strengthened that outlook. Austin stayed healthy enough to start all 43 regular-season games, produced career highs across several statistical categories, and helped Washington reach the playoffs.

The next challenge will be maintaining that level while continuing to refine her offensive and defensive game. Her improved outside shooting and passing have already made her more versatile, while her rebounding and interior defense remain central to her value.

At 26, Austin has already experienced several very different stages of a professional career. Her next chapter will be about turning that experience into sustained excellence.

Final Thoughts

Shakira Austin’s Basketball Career Has Taken Her From One Of The Most Highly Rated High School Recruits In The Country To A Proven WNBA Center. Along The Way, She Has Played At Maryland And Ole Miss, Won Two Gillom Trophies, Earned A Third Overall WNBA Draft Selection, Represented Team USA, And Established Herself As An Important Player In Washington.

The road hasn’t always been smooth. Hip and ankle injuries interrupted her early WNBA development and limited her availability in 2023 and 2024. Yet those setbacks have become an important part of her larger story because of how she responded to them.

Her 2025 season showed that she could return to the court and perform at a high level. Her 2026 campaign took that comeback a step further. Austin averaged 17.0 Points And 9.5 Rebounds, started every regular-season game, helped the Mystics return to the playoffs, and came within four votes of winning the Most Improved Player award.

By the end of 2026, Shakira Austin was no longer simply a former top prospect or a promising young center. She had developed into a more versatile professional who could score, rebound, defend, pass, and increasingly stretch the floor.

At 26, she has already experienced college success, WNBA recognition, international competition, overseas basketball, Unrivaled, serious injuries, and a major comeback. The combination of experience and continued development makes the next stage of Shakira Austin’s career one worth watching.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shakira Austin

Who Is Shakira Austin?

Shakira Austin Is An American Professional Basketball Player And Center For The Washington Mystics. She Played College Basketball At Maryland And Ole Miss Before Washington Selected Her Third Overall In The 2022 WNBA Draft.

How Old Is Shakira Austin?

Shakira Austin Was Born On July 25, 2000, In Fredericksburg, Virginia. She Turned 26 In July 2026.

Where Did Shakira Austin Play College Basketball?

Austin Played Her First Two College Seasons At Maryland Before Transferring To Ole Miss. She Became One Of The SEC’s Top Players At Ole Miss And Won The Gillom Trophy Twice.

What Happened To Shakira Austin’s Hip?

Austin Suffered A Hip Injury During The 2023 WNBA Season And Later Underwent Surgery To Repair A Torn Hip Labrum. She returned in 2024 but suffered another hip injury and later dealt with a left ankle sprain, limiting her to 12 games that season.

What Was Shakira Austin’s Best WNBA Season?

Statistically, 2026 was Austin’s best WNBA regular season through the end of the year. She averaged career highs of 17.0 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, And 2.6 Assists while starting all 43 regular-season games.

Did Shakira Austin Play For Team USA?

Yes. Austin was part of the United States team that won gold at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. She has also participated in USA Basketball’s senior and 3×3 programs.

Did Shakira Austin Win The 2026 WNBA Most Improved Player Award?

No. Austin finished second in the 2026 voting with 25 votes. Jessica Shepard won the award with 29 votes. Austin’s finish came after a career-best season in which she averaged 17.0 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, And 2.6 Assists.

What Is Shakira Austin Known For?

Austin is known for her rebounding, interior scoring, shot blocking, physical defense, and growing offensive versatility. Her ability to contribute in several areas has become an increasingly important part of her value to the Washington Mystics.

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