14 years. That’s how old Anastasiia Olairi Kosu was when she made her EuroLeague debut. Kosu’s rise continued swiftly. She secured three consecutive Russian Championship titles from 2022 to 2024 and became a staple in UMMC Ekaterinburg’s powerhouse roster. During the 2023–24 season, she was named Eurobasket.com’s Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, and Domestic Player of the Year, and was named to the All-Russian PBL First Team. Her dominance in Europe turned heads stateside, culminating in her selection as the No. 15 overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2025 WNBA Draft. But where does this phenom come from? Let’s take a deeper look at Anastasiia Olairi Kosu’s ethnicity, nationality, and religious background.

Where is Anastasiia Olairi Kosu from? What is her nationality?

Anastasiia Olairi Kosu was born on 21 April 2005 in Kursk, Russia, where she began playing basketball at 4 years old. As a child, she frequently went to games for her hometown club, Dynamo Kursk, a EuroLeague powerhouse in the 2010s. She lost her father, who was a basketball player in Spain, at just 6 years old, and her mother raised her alone to be the wonderful player she is.

She reminisced in an interview, “I was about four years old when my dad set up a basketball hoop at our summer house to practice for fun in his free time. But I was very interested in basketball, and from that moment, I spent nearly all my time with my dad at the basketball hoop.”

Despite losing her biggest basketball inspiration, her father, at a young age, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu continued to pursue the game she loved with unshakable determination. At just 14, she was already making international headlines, starring in the 2019 FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship. She dominated the tournament with averages of 18.0 points and 15.0 rebounds across seven games, leading Russia to a gold medal and establishing herself as one of Europe’s brightest young prospects.

The normal route to the WNBA involves experience in the college basketball circuit, but players can skip that process entirely. International recruits like Kosu don’t prefer traveling so far away from home for the possibility that they might get to play in the W. They would rather develop within their comfort zone and then try to get into the W later. That said, she did have some offers from colleges to get accustomed to the American basketball culture rather than go for the professional dream.

She told Forbes, “When I played at the Junior Championships, there were a lot of training options in the United States. But then I consciously chose the path in Russia. I don’t regret anything.”

At the same time, Anastasiia already has an education as she mentioned in one of her interviews, “I graduated from the Ural State University named after I.I. Polzunov in Yekaterinburg, specializing in ‘Law and organization of social security’, with a qualification as a lawyer. Now I’m considering options for further training, but so far, a specific decision on admission has not been made.” 

What is Anastasiia Olairi Kosu’s ethnicity?

Kosu is of mixed Russian and Nigerian descent. Her mother is Russian, and her late father was Nigerian and a former professional basketball player who significantly influenced her early interest in the sport. Though she was raised in Russia, Anastasiia has openly expressed her connection to her Nigerian roots.

“I was always inspired by Nneka’s powerful and fast game,” Kosu has said. “I wanted to play the same as she did. I also know that Nneka’s family is from Nigeria, where my father is also from.”

Further, her middle name, Olairi, also reflects her paternal heritage. The name specifically has roots from her grandfather, who was originally from Nigeria. According to family history, there were African tribal leaders in their lineage, an ancestry steeped in cultural significance. The name Olairi means “Daughter of the Chief”.

Is Anastasiia Olairi Kosu Christian? 

The religious beliefs of Kosu are not a part of any public record. She hasn’t commented on religious affiliation in interviews or public profiles either. 

Kosu remains a promising young talent to watch for the Minnesota Lynx. Having been drafted into the WNBA at just 19 years old, she is still in the early stages of her professional journey. While her minutes on the court have been limited, which is common for young international players, her potential is undeniable. She is already getting to experience the WNBA crowds and training with the best players, which would contribute to her growth. With experience already gained in Europe’s top leagues and a skill set that continues to evolve, the Lynx views her as a long-term investment.