Ever since the beginning of the 2025 season, there’s been one standout contender shining on the Connecticut Sun’s roster—and it’s none other than Olivia Nelson-Ododa. The 24-year-old center brings a wealth of three years’ experience to the team and is averaging 9.6 points with 6.4 rebounds per game, which marks the best stats of her professional career so far.

No doubt, Nelson-Ododa had the talent from the start, but it was limited playing time that held her back. Now, she’s finally been set free, averaging 24.1 minutes per game, and it’s clearly reflecting in her performance. But if you think her impact is limited to on-court dominance, it’s not!

Where is Olivia Nelson Ododa from and What is Olivia Nelson Ododa’s Nationality?

Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s story began 24 years ago in Lansing, Michigan, where she was born. But it was the town of Winder, Georgia, where she was raised—and where she truly grew into the athlete we see today. It was at Winder-Barrow High School in Georgia that Nelson-Ododa began to make her mark on the basketball court.

And it didn’t take long for her to rise. In her sophomore year, she was named the Athens Banner-Herald Co-Player of the Year after averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. It was also during that season—her Class 6A run—that she led her team all the way to the state finals. However, her journey wasn’t without setbacks. In her junior year, she suffered a season-ending knee injury.

But when she returned, she made sure people noticed. Olivia finished her high school career as a five-star recruit and was ranked among the top players in her class by ESPN. And honestly, seeing her excel to those heights isn’t surprising at all—especially considering the background she comes from!

What is Olivia Nelson Ododa’s ethnicity?

Well, athleticism runs deep in Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s genes. Her father, Sebastian Ododa, hails from Kenya and displayed his basketball talent both for the Kenyan national team and at Huntington University in Indiana. Her mother, Heather Nelson-Ododa, is American, adding to Olivia’s rich and diverse heritage.

So, it’s no surprise that Olivia picked up a basketball at just seven years old. And she wasn’t alone in that journey—both of her brothers, Isaiah and Alonzo (who currently plays in the NBA G League), also pursued the game. With that kind of family influence, it’s easy to see how Olivia quickly developed into a basketball prodigy, long before her high school stardom. But let’s be real, talent alone doesn’t get you where Olivia is today!

Is Olivia Nelson Ododa Christian? 

While Olivia has never publicly stated her religious beliefs, but her Instagram account gives a glimpse into her faith. In a heartfelt post reflecting on her journey in 2024, she simply wrote, “Thank you, God.” It wasn’t a long sermon or a bold declaration, but it said enough. And honestly, faith was just one part of the equation.

Olivia had it all: natural talent, a strong work ethic, and incredibly supportive parents. So, it’s no wonder she caught the attention of none other than Geno Auriemma, the legendary UConn head coach known for building dynasties. And when he joined UConn in 2018, she quickly became a dominant force in the paint. She wasn’t just tall, she was smart, agile, and relentless on defense.

And that earned her the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors and helped guide UConn to multiple Final Four appearances. So, when she was drafted 19th overall in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2022 WNBA Draft, no one was shocked.

But it was her move to the Connecticut Sun that truly allowed her to blossom. The trade gave her a fresh start, and she’s made the most of it. Olivia has already appeared in seven postseason games for the Sun. But no doubt her 2025 is going to be a standout!