Former Ute and now Minnesota Lynx forward Alissa Pili has signed an endorsement deal with Nike’s N7 brand.
N7 has supported Native American and Indigenous athletes through various Nike brand initiatives. Pili is both Samoan, coming from her father Billy’s side, and a descendant of the Inupiat tribe in Alaska, from her mother Heather’s heritage.
Pili will join famous Nike athletes like Olympic hammer thrower Janee’ Kassanavoid, a Comanche, and Dallas Mavericks star point guard Kyrie Irving, whose mother was a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and is currently playing in the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
“I’m so honored to join the Nike Family as an N7 athlete,” Pili said in a statement. “Representation is important to me, and I look forward to making an impact in the league and demonstrating to all the Indigenous and Polynesian girls who love the game that they can reach their dreams.”
Pili’s journey started off in Alaska, where she lived in the small town of Barrow (now called Utqiagvik) before committing and playing at USC for three seasons. For her final two seasons, the forward transferred to the Utes in Salt Lake City in search of more playing time.
In 2023-24, Pili’s final season of collegiate eligibility, she averaged 21.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 55% from the field. Pili’s performance landed her Second Team All-American honors from The Athletic and guided Utah women’s basketball to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
After finishing her career with the Utes, Pili was selected No. 8 overall by the Lynx. In her rookie season she has continued being an advocate both on and off the court for Indigenous athletes and communities.
Following Minnesota’s contest vs. the Phoenix Mercury on June 7, Pili connected and met with various Indigenous leaders in Arizona. She also wore a commemorative tribal dress in honor of her Polynesian roots at the 2024 WNBA draft.
Through the N7 initiative, Nike says it has helped donate $11 million to nearly 300 organizations over the past 15 years. Pili will look to extend that legacy by continuing to build her own brand on the Lynx and in the WNBA.
