Alysha Clark
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Alysha Angelica Clark (Hebrew: אלישה קלארק; born July 7, 1987) is an American-Israeli professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball. In college, she led the NCAA in scoring three years in a row. She was drafted in the second round of the 2010 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars. In 2018, Clark won a championship with the Seattle Storm as they swept the Mystics in the 2018 WNBA Finals, and in 2020 won her second championship as the Storm swept the Las Vegas Aces. She won her third WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. In 2018, she led CCC Polkowice to a Polish championship and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. The next year, she won a Ligue Féminine de Basketball championship with her French team, Lyon Asvel. Clark is known for her swarming defense and clutch shooting.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Clark was born in Denver, Colorado to Jan and Duane Clark, who were both musicians. She is the younger sister of American Idol contestant Corey Clark. Clark's maternal grandparents were Jewish and could speak Hebrew.[1] However, she was baptized as a child and identified as a Christian.[2] It was not until she began playing in Israel that she was considered Jewish (her maternal grandparents were Jewish).[3][4] She subsequently began to explore her Jewish roots and became an Israeli citizen.[3]

The family later moved to her hometown of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, where she attended Mt. Juliet High School.[5] There, she played basketball, and as a senior averaged 24 points and 11.6 rebounds, while shooting 78 percent from the foul line and 67 percent from the floor.[6] She was named an AAU All-American, the 3A Miss Basketball, picked by the Tennessean as its Midstate Player of the Year, voted to the Girl's All-Southern Basketball Team by the Orlando Sentinel, named the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, named to the Tennessee All-Star Team, named Tennessee tournament Most Valuable Player.[6]

College career

[edit]

Clark played her first two years of college basketball at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. At Belmont she helped the Lady Bruins[a] to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2007. As a freshman, she led the conference in total points, field goals, and free throws, and was named Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, selected to the All-Atlantic Sun First Team and to the league's All-Freshman Team, and was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Tournament Team.[6] In 2006–07 she led the ASUN with 17.0 points per game, 12.6 rebounds per game, and a .580 field goal percentage.[7] She was named the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year for the second year in a row, and the Atlantic Sun Tournament Most Valuable Player.[6]

After two years she transferred to Middle Tennessee State University. Clark sat out the 2007–08 season, as then required by NCAA rules for transfer students.[b] In 2008–09, she led the NCAA with 27.3 points and led the Sun Belt Conference with 9.8 rebounds per game, led the conference and was 4th in the NCAA with a .609 field goal percentage, was 2nd in the conference with a .787 free throw percentage, and was 4th in the conference with 2.1 steals per game.[7] She was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Year, and the Sun Belt Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.[6] Clark became the first basketball player ever to be named Player of the Year in two different Division I conferences.[8][c]

In 2009–10 she again led the NCAA, this time with 28.3 points per game, led the Sun Belt Conference with 11.6 rebounds per game, was 4th in the conference with 2.4 steals per game, and was 9th in the conference with 3.4 assists per game.[7][9] In her two seasons with the school she led NCAA Division I in scoring both seasons, was named to eight All-America teams, and was the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Sun Belt Championships in 2009 and 2010.[10][11] She was named to the Middle Tennessee Hall of Fame in 2020.[10]

Professional career

[edit]

Clark was drafted with the 17th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars,[12] but did not make a roster that year or in 2011.

Besides playing in the WNBA, she during the off season played on Ramat Hasharon of the Israeli National League from 2010 to 2013 (and was awarded the Domestic Player of the Year Award and selected to the All-Israeli First team during her first year).[3] In the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons, she played for the Maccabi Ashdod, and was named the Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, and a First Team all-star.[3] Clark then played in Turkey followed by Poland for the next two years.[3] In 2018–19 and 2019–20, she played in France.[3]

In 2012, she signed with the Seattle Storm.[13] In 2019, she was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and in 2020 was chosen for the All-Defensive First Team.[3]

Clark in 2018

In 2018, Clark started every game of the Storm's WNBA Championship run. In Seattle's Western Conference Finals series against the Phoenix Mercury, Clark was the Storm's main choice to guard Diana Taurasi, and in the decisive Game 5, she also logged a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 13 rebounds.[14] In the Storm's championship-clinching win in the WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics, Clark led the team in playing time, and added 15 points.[15]

In February 2021, Clark signed with the Washington Mystics, but was ruled out of playing during the 2021 WNBA season due to a Lisfranc injury received while playing in France.[16]

In December 2022, Clark signed with the Israeli champions Elitzur Ramla, until the end of the season. She went back to training under Shira Halyon, who trained her in the past in the EuroCup.[17]

In February 2023, Clark signed with the Las Vegas Aces. On September 18, 2023, she won the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award.[18]

On February 9, 2025, Clark signed with the Seattle Storm, where she played the first nine years of her WNBA career.[19]

On August 5, 2025, Clark was traded back to the Washington Mystics, as Washington acquired Clark and Seattle’s 2026 first-round draft pick in exchange for Brittney Sykes.[20]

Clark signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Wings in April 2026. She signed the contract while being the oldest active WNBA player.[21]

Athletes Unlimited

[edit]

Clark made her Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball debut during the league's 2025 season, finishing 15th on the overall leaderboard and earning selection to the AU All-Defensive Team. She started all 12 games, averaging 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds, and recorded multiple Game MVP honors, including a double-double performance during the season. Clark is set to return to the league for the 2026 season.[22]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  FG%  Field goal percentage
 3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage  RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game
 SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  TO  Turnovers per game  PPG  Points per game
 Bold  Career high  *  Led Division I  °  Led the league  ‡  WNBA record
† Denotes seasons in which Clark won a WNBA championship

WNBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]

Stats current through the 2025 season

WNBA regular season statistics[23]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2010 Did not play (waived)
2011
2012 Seattle 23 0 10.3 .547 .450 .706 2.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.8 3.4
2013 Seattle 33 0 15.3 .453 .390 .760 2.5 0.4 0.4 0.2 1.1 4.0
2014 Seattle 34° 22 16.5 .448 .246 .696 2.1 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.7 4.2
2015 Seattle 33 31 23.1 .544 .353 .775 3.7 1.2 0.7 0.2 1.1 6.9
2016 Seattle 33 32 27.6 .484 .387 .847 3.7 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.3 9.0
2017 Seattle 33 33 28.3 .525 .328 .745 4.2 1.6 0.7 0.1 1.0 8.2
2018† Seattle 31 30 26.2 .480 .392 .846 3.5 1.9 1.0 0.1 1.2 7.4
2019 Seattle 31 30 28.4 .481 .481 .818 4.7 2.5 1.1 0.5 1.5 9.6
2020† Seattle 22° 22° 28.8 .558 .522 .800 4.2 2.7 1.5 0.5 0.9 10.0
2021 Did not play (injury)
2022 Washington 29 29 26.4 .464 .303 .913 4.5 2.0 0.9 0.3 1.3 8.0
2023† Las Vegas 39 1 22.5 .444 .386 .818 3.4 1.1 0.6 0.2 0.7 6.7
2024 Las Vegas 40 18 24.3 .443 .373 .821 3.6 1.8 0.8 0.3 1.4 6.0
2025 Seattle 27 7 18.0 .378 .291 .846 2.4 1.0 0.7 0.1 0.6 3.5
Washington 15 8 22.9 .362 .244 .615 3.5 1.5 0.5 0.1 0.3 4.5
Career 13 years, 3 teams 423 262 22.9 .477 .373 .796 3.4 1.5 0.7 0.2 1.0 6.6

Playoffs

[edit]

Stats current through end of 2024 playoffs

WNBA playoff statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2013 Seattle 2 0 18.5 .455 .333 1.000 5.0 0.5 0.0 0.7 0.5 7.0
2016 Seattle 1 1 28.0 .333 .000 1.000 2.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 8.0
2017 Seattle 1 1 26.0 .667 – 1.000 5.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 6.0
2018† Seattle 8 8 35.0 .500 .458 .875 5.9 2.6 0.5 0.3 0.6 8.5
2019 Seattle 2 2 28.5 .143 .200 .857 3.5 1.0 2.0 0.5 2.5 4.5
2020† Seattle 6 6 30.5 .453 .348 1.000 6.5 3.2 0.7 0.7 0.7 10.3
2022 Washington 2 2 25.5 .571 .500 .667 3.5 3.0 1.5 0.5 0.5 6.0
2023† Las Vegas 9 1 24.1 .529 .318 .929 4.4 1.3 0.3 0.1 1.0 8.2
2024 Las Vegas 6 3 25.8 .364 .333 1.000 3.8 2.0 0.7 0.2 0.7 6.0
Career 9 years, 3 teams 37 24 27.9 .460 .359 .920 4.9 2.1 0.6 0.3 0.8 7.8

College

[edit]
NCAA statistics[24][25]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2005–06 Belmont 30 — 31.6 .543 .227 .745 10.9 1.3 1.7 0.5 3.0 20.0
2006–07 Belmont 30 — 29.1 .580 .364 .744 12.7 1.9 2.2 0.5 3.5 17.0
2007–08 Middle Tennessee Did not play (NCAA transfer rules)
2008–09 Middle Tennessee 34 — 34.4 .607 .414 .790 9.8 2.1 2.1 0.6 3.9 27.5*
2009–10 Middle Tennessee 29 29 35.1 .614 .321 .777 11.6 3.4 2.4 0.7 3.2 28.3*
Career 123 — 32.6 .590 .333 .766 11.2 2.2 2.1 0.6 3.4 23.3

Off the court

[edit]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In February 2024, Clark joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT (VIS) as a mentor, "aimed at keeping girls in sport and developing diverse leaders on the court and beyond the game."[26][27]

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alysha Clark

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Alysha Clark is an American-Israeli professional basketball player who plays as a forward for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).[1][2] Born on July 7, 1987, in Denver, Colorado, Clark holds dual citizenship, having obtained Israeli nationality in 2012 through her Jewish maternal heritage, which has allowed her to play professionally in Israel.[3][4] Clark's college career at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) was marked by exceptional performance, where she was named Sun Belt Player of the Year twice and earned All-American honors, leading the Blue Raiders to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.[5] Drafted 17th overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2010 WNBA Draft, she was waived without playing and joined the Seattle Storm in 2012, establishing herself as a defensive specialist and role player.[6] Over her WNBA career spanning 2010 to 2025, Clark has played for several teams, including the Seattle Storm (2012–2020 and the start of 2025), Washington Mystics (2021–2022 and 2025–present), and Las Vegas Aces (2023–2024); she was traded to the Mystics from Seattle on August 5, 2025, in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick.[2][7] A three-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020, and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, Clark's defensive prowess has earned her multiple accolades, including the 2023 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award, All-Defensive First Team in 2020, and All-Defensive Second Team in 2019.[6] In the 2025 season, she averaged 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 42 appearances split between the Storm and Mystics, contributing to the latter's rotation as a veteran leader.[8] Beyond the WNBA, Clark has competed internationally in Israel and participated in Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the sport.[9]

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Alysha Clark was born on July 7, 1987, in Denver, Colorado, to parents Jan and Duane Clark, both professional musicians who performed in the R&B and disco genres.[10][11] Her mother, Jan, paused her touring career shortly after Alysha's birth to prioritize family life, creating a household rich in music that fostered early discipline and creative expression.[11] The family's nomadic lifestyle, influenced by the parents' careers, led to several relocations during her childhood, including stops in Las Vegas, South Ogden, Utah, and Topeka, Kansas, before they settled in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.[12] Growing up in a musical environment, Clark was immersed in performances and rehearsals from a young age, which instilled a strong work ethic and appreciation for the arts that later complemented her athletic pursuits.[12] She is one of six siblings, including her older brother Corey Clark, who gained national attention as a contestant on the second season of American Idol in 2003.[10][12] In adulthood, Clark discovered her Jewish heritage through her maternal grandparents, who are Hebrew speakers, prompting her to embrace her roots and obtain dual American-Israeli citizenship.[13][11] Clark skipped organized youth sports and first picked up a basketball in seventh grade through local programs in Topeka, Kansas. After the family's relocation to Tennessee prior to her sophomore year of high school, the state's strong women's basketball culture further sparked her interest and provided the foundation for her development, transitioning naturally into organized high school play.[14][15][16]

High School Career

Alysha Clark honed her basketball skills at Mount Juliet High School in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, establishing herself as a dominant forward during her time there from 2003 to 2005.[8] In her senior year of 2005, Clark averaged 24 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, demonstrating exceptional efficiency by shooting 67 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free-throw line.[17] Her outstanding performance earned her multiple prestigious awards, including Tennessee Class 3A Miss Basketball, Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, and Midstate Player of the Year as selected by The Tennessean.[17][18][19] She was also honored as a WBCA High School All-America honorable mention, named to the Girl’s All-Southern Basketball Team by the Orlando Sentinel, selected for the Tennessee All-Star Team, recognized as an AAU All-American, and included on the National Honor Roll.[17] Clark's leadership propelled the Mount Juliet Lady Bears to the 2005 TSSAA Class AAA state championship, where she was named the tournament MVP.[20][21] Her high school success drew early recruitment attention from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, leading to an athletic-academic scholarship offer that she accepted for her collegiate start.[16]

College Career

Clark began her college basketball career at Belmont University, where she played as a forward for the Lady Bruins during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. As a freshman in 2005–06, she averaged 20.0 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, leading the Atlantic Sun Conference in scoring and rebounding while earning both Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, becoming the first athlete in conference history to win both awards in the same season. In her sophomore year of 2006–07, Clark averaged 17.0 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, repeating as Atlantic Sun Player of the Year and helping Belmont secure its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Over her two seasons at Belmont, she accumulated 1,109 points and 706 rebounds, reaching 1,000 career points faster than any player in program history.[22][23][24] Following her sophomore year, Clark transferred to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to better align with her playing style and development goals, sitting out the 2007–08 season due to NCAA transfer rules. She returned as a junior in 2008–09, averaging 27.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game to lead the NCAA in scoring and earning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, along with third-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press. As a senior in 2009–10, Clark elevated her performance to 28.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, again topping the national scoring charts and repeating as Sun Belt Player of the Year while receiving second-team All-America honors; she recorded 37 double-doubles during her two seasons at MTSU, ranking second in program history. Her time with the Blue Raiders included two Sun Belt Tournament MVP awards and a total of 1,756 points and 671 rebounds.[22][17][25] Across her collegiate career spanning Belmont and MTSU, Clark tallied 2,865 points—ranking 24th in NCAA Division I history—and 1,377 rebounds, establishing her as one of the most prolific scorers in women's college basketball. Her exceptional performance led to her selection in the 2010 WNBA Draft, where she was chosen 17th overall in the second round by the San Antonio Silver Stars.[22][26][17]

Professional Career

Overseas Career

After being waived by the San Antonio Silver Stars shortly after her selection in the second round of the 2010 WNBA Draft, Alysha Clark launched her professional basketball career overseas, signing with Hapoel Rishon LeZion of the Israeli Premier League for the 2010–11 season.[17] In her debut professional year, she averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across 20 appearances, shooting 52.1% from the field, and earned recognition as the EuroBasket.com Domestic Player of the Year along with an All-Israeli First Team selection.[17] This strong start highlighted her versatility as a forward, contributing to the team's fifth-place league finish and semifinal appearance in the Israeli Cup.[17] Clark remained in Israel for several subsequent seasons, building a strong presence in the league while adapting to its fast-paced, physical style. She played for A.S. Ramat HaSharon in 2011–12 and 2012–13, averaging 14.0 and 11.8 points per game respectively, and helped the team reach league semifinals and the Israeli Cup finals.[17] Later, with Maccabi Ashdod in 2014–15 and 2015–16, she achieved greater success, winning the Israeli League Championship both years and securing multiple individual honors, including Player of the Year, Domestic Player of the Year, and Forward of the Year awards each season; her scoring averages were 15.8 and 14.9 points per game over those campaigns.[17] In 2022–23, she returned to Israel with Elitzur Ramla, averaging 14.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the domestic league while posting 15.5 points in EuroCup play.[17] Expanding to other European leagues, Clark joined Adana ASKI Mersin of the Turkish KBSL for the 2016–17 season, where she averaged 15.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 22 outings.[17] The next year, she moved to CCC Polkowice in Poland's BLK for 2017–18, contributing to the team's league championship with averages of 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 32 domestic games, and 15.3 points in 16 EuroLeague appearances.[17] From 2018 to 2021, she competed in France's LFB with Lyon ASVEL Féminin, winning the league title in 2018–19 and the French Supercup in 2019–20; her scoring ranged from 10.8 to 13.4 points per game across those seasons, often exceeding 12 points in European competitions.[17] Throughout her overseas tenure, Clark consistently averaged double-digit points in multiple leagues, demonstrating her scoring efficiency and rebounding prowess.[17] In 2012, Clark obtained Israeli citizenship via the Law of Return, leveraging her Jewish maternal grandparents' heritage, which granted her domestic player status in Israel—easing eligibility rules and allowing deeper integration into the league without foreign import limits.[27][28] This move not only advanced her professional opportunities but also fostered a personal connection to Israeli culture, as she later represented the Israel national team from 2016 to 2018, averaging 20.2 points and 9.0 rebounds over six games in international play.[24]

Seattle Storm (2012–2020)

Alysha Clark joined the Seattle Storm as a free agent on March 9, 2012, following successful stints overseas that sharpened her defensive prowess.[17] Initially serving as a reserve, she gradually earned a larger role, making her first career start on May 23, 2014, against the Connecticut Sun and becoming a full-time starter by that season.[17] Over the next several years, Clark developed into a versatile forward known for her perimeter defense and three-point shooting, contributing to the Storm's consistent playoff appearances.[8] Clark's breakout came during the 2018 season, where she helped lead the Storm to their third WNBA championship, sweeping the Washington Mystics 3-0 in the Finals. She scored in double figures nine times that year, including a season-high 17 points, and provided crucial defensive matchups throughout the postseason.[17] In 2019, Clark earned her first All-Defensive Second Team selection while posting a career-high 9.6 points per game, leading the league in three-point percentage at 48.1% and scoring in double figures 16 times.[8] Her defensive versatility allowed her to guard multiple positions effectively, bolstering Seattle's perimeter defense.[29] The 2020 season, played in the WNBA's Bradenton bubble amid the COVID-19 pandemic, culminated in another championship for Clark and the Storm, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 3-0 in the Finals. She averaged 10.0 points per game and was named to the All-Defensive First Team, finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while scoring a playoff career-high 21 points in Game 2 of the Finals.[8] As a reliable role player, Clark started all 22 regular-season games and participated in multiple deep playoff runs during her tenure, accumulating 200 starts across 240 games with Seattle from 2012 to 2020.[8]

Washington Mystics (2021–2022)

Clark signed with the Washington Mystics as a free agent on February 1, 2021, agreeing to a two-year contract worth approximately $366,000.[30] However, she missed the entire 2021 season after suffering a Lisfranc injury to her right foot while playing overseas in France, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation with the team.[31] Her absence prevented any on-court contribution that year, though she remained part of the organization during recovery. In 2022, Clark made her Mystics debut following over a year of rehab from the foot injury, which continued to affect her early in the season as she was listed probable for initial games.[32] She appeared in 29 of the team's 36 regular-season games, starting all 29, and averaged 8.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 26.4 minutes per game.[8] As a veteran forward, Clark provided defensive versatility and perimeter shooting, including a career-high 91.3% free-throw percentage, while achieving personal milestones such as her 2,000th career point and 1,000th rebound.[33] Clark's experience from three WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm informed her leadership role in Washington, where she offered guidance to younger teammates on and off the court.[33] Her steady presence helped stabilize the Mystics' rotation amid injuries to other key players, contributing to the team's 14-22 record and qualification for the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.[34] In the first-round series against the New York Liberty, which Washington lost 2-0, Clark came off the bench for two games, averaging 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.[35] Following the expiration of her contract after the 2022 season, Clark entered free agency and signed with the Las Vegas Aces on February 1, 2023.[36]

Las Vegas Aces (2023–2024)

In February 2023, Alysha Clark signed with the Las Vegas Aces as a free agent, bringing her veteran experience to the defending champions.[36] As a key reserve player off the bench, she provided defensive versatility and timely scoring during the regular season, averaging 6.7 points per game while shooting 38.6% from three-point range across 39 appearances.[8] Her contributions were instrumental in the Aces' championship run, where she elevated her performance in the playoffs, averaging 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, including clutch defensive stops and efficient shooting in the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty.[37] This marked Clark's third WNBA title, following her championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020.[6] Clark's impact extended beyond statistics, earning her the 2023 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award for her efficient play and positive influence on team dynamics.[38] As one of the league's elder stateswomen at age 36, she offered veteran leadership, mentoring younger players and fostering a cohesive bench unit that complemented stars like A'ja Wilson.[39] Her ability to close games without starting a single regular-season matchup highlighted her adaptability and value in high-stakes situations.[38] In 2024, Clark continued her steady contributions for the Aces, appearing in all 40 regular-season games and averaging 6.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 24.3 minutes per game.[40] She transitioned into a more prominent role at times, starting 18 contests, while maintaining her defensive prowess and three-point shooting at 37.3%.[8] Despite the team's semifinal exit to the New York Liberty, Clark's consistent presence helped stabilize the rotation before she entered free agency at the end of the season.[41]

Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics (2025)

Prior to the WNBA season, Clark made her debut in Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball during its 2025 season (February–March), where she had a standout performance and later re-signed for the 2026 season.[9] On February 9, 2025, Alysha Clark signed a contract with the Seattle Storm, marking her return to the team where she began her WNBA career and won two championships.[42] This move reunited her with familiar coaching and front-office personnel, allowing Clark to contribute her veteran experience early in the season as a defensive specialist off the bench.[43] Midway through the 2025 season, on August 5, Clark was traded to the Washington Mystics in exchange for guard Brittney Sykes, guard Zia Cooke, and the Storm's 2026 first-round draft pick.[2] This marked her second stint with the Mystics, following her initial tenure from 2021 to 2022, and positioned her to bolster a young roster amid a push for playoff contention.[44] In 42 games across both teams during the 2025 regular season, Clark averaged 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 37.1% from the field, emphasizing her role in perimeter defense and player mentorship rather than primary scoring.[8] With the Mystics after the trade, she appeared in 15 games, starting eight, and provided leadership to rookies and second-year players during a late-season surge that kept Washington in the playoff race until the final weeks.[45] Her defensive presence and vocal guidance helped stabilize the bench unit in key victories, contributing to the team's improved cohesion despite ultimately falling short of postseason qualification.[46]

Career Statistics and Awards

WNBA Statistics

Alysha Clark has appeared in 465 regular season games over her WNBA career from 2012 to 2025, averaging 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 44.6% from the field.[8] Her career totals include 2,987 points, 1,570 rebounds, and 681 assists.[8] She missed the entire 2021 season due to a foot injury.[8]

Regular Season Per Game Averages

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2012SEA23010.3.547.450.7062.00.30.20.03.4
2013SEA33015.3.453.390.7602.50.40.40.24.0
2014SEA342216.5.448.246.6962.10.60.50.34.2
2015SEA333123.1.544.353.7753.71.20.70.26.9
2016SEA333227.6.484.387.8473.71.90.70.19.0
2017SEA333328.3.525.328.7454.21.60.70.18.2
2018SEA313026.2.480.392.8463.51.91.00.17.4
2019SEA313028.4.481.481.8184.72.51.10.59.6
2020SEA222228.8.558.522.8004.22.71.50.510.0
2021WAS000.0---------0.00.00.00.00.0
2022WAS292926.4.464.303.9134.52.01.00.38.0
2023LVA39122.5.444.386.8183.41.10.60.26.7
2024LVA401824.3.443.373.8213.61.80.80.36.0
2025TOT421519.7.371.271.7312.81.20.60.13.9
Career46526323.0.446.370.8023.41.50.70.26.4
*Note: RPG includes offensive and defensive rebounds combined; statistics for 2025 are totals across Seattle Storm (27 games) and Washington Mystics (15 games). All data per game unless otherwise noted.[8][47] Clark has participated in 37 playoff games across eight postseason appearances, most notably contributing to championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020, and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.[8] Her playoff career averages are 6.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, with career playoff totals of 237 points, 177 rebounds, and 66 assists.[8]

Playoff Per Game Averages

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2013SEA2018.5.455.3331.0005.00.50.00.07.0
2016SEA1128.0.333.0001.0002.03.00.00.08.0
2017SEA1126.0.667---1.0005.00.01.01.06.0
2018SEA8835.0.500.458.8755.92.60.50.38.5
2019SEA2228.5.143.200.8573.51.02.00.54.5
2020SEA6630.5.453.3481.0006.53.20.70.710.3
2022WAS2225.5.571.500.6673.53.01.50.56.0
2023LVA9124.1.529.318.9294.41.30.30.18.2
2024LVA6325.8.364.3331.0003.82.00.70.26.0
Career372427.9.456.361.9174.81.80.60.36.4
*Note: No playoff appearances in 2014, 2015, or 2025; RPG includes offensive and defensive rebounds combined. All data per game unless otherwise noted.[8]

College Statistics

Alysha Clark's college basketball career spanned Belmont University (2005–2007) in the Atlantic Sun Conference and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU; 2008–2010) in the Sun Belt Conference, where she sat out the 2007–08 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Over 123 games, she established herself as one of the top scorers in NCAA Division I women's basketball, finishing her career with 2,865 points, 1,378 rebounds, and 267 assists. Her statistical output highlighted her versatility as a forward, with dominant rebounding and scoring efficiency, particularly in conference play where she led both the Atlantic Sun and Sun Belt in points per game each active season.[24]

Per-Season Statistics

Clark's per-season averages reflect her progression from a standout freshman at Belmont to a national scoring leader at MTSU. The following table summarizes key statistics across her college seasons:
SeasonTeamConferenceG-GSMPGPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%
2005–06BelmontAtlantic Sun30–3031.620.010.91.3.543.745
2006–07BelmontAtlantic Sun30–2729.117.012.61.9.580.744
2008–09MTSUSun Belt34–3434.427.59.82.1.607.790
2009–10MTSUSun Belt29–2935.128.311.63.4.614.777
In her freshman and sophomore years at Belmont, Clark averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game overall, shooting over 54% from the field each season. At MTSU, her scoring surged to an average of 27.9 points per game across 63 starts, complemented by 10.7 rebounds per game, while maintaining high field goal efficiency above 60%.[22][24]

Career College Totals

Clark's cumulative college statistics underscore her impact: 2,865 points (23.3 per game), 1,378 rebounds (11.2 per game), and 267 assists (2.2 per game) in 123 games played (120 starts). She also recorded 260 steals and shot 59.1% from the field and 76.6% from the free-throw line over her career. These totals rank her among the all-time leaders in women's Division I scoring, with 2,865 points placing her in the top 50 historically. Her rebounding prowess was evident in 609 offensive and 768 defensive boards, contributing to her double-double frequency of 37 across her tenure.[24][17]

Conference Breakdowns

In the Atlantic Sun Conference at Belmont, Clark dominated over 38 games, averaging 20.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while leading the league in scoring both seasons (20.8 ppg in 2005–06 conference play; 20.0 ppg in 2006–07). She also topped conference charts in rebounds (11.2 rpg in 2005–06; 11.8 rpg in 2006–07) and field goal percentage (.580 in 2006–07). Transitioning to the Sun Belt at MTSU, she elevated her game across 36 conference contests, posting 27.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, leading the conference in scoring each year (27.9 ppg in 2008–09; 28.0 ppg in 2009–10) and rebounding in her final season (11.5 rpg). Her Sun Belt efficiency included a .615 field goal percentage and 17 double-doubles in conference games during 2008–09 alone. These performances cemented her as a two-time conference scoring champion in each league.[22][5][17]

Major Awards and Honors

Alysha Clark's college career at Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University was marked by exceptional scoring prowess and conference dominance. At Belmont, she earned Atlantic Sun Player of the Year honors in 2006 and 2007, becoming only the fifth player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons.[17] After transferring to Middle Tennessee, Clark was named Sun Belt Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2010, and she was selected as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Year in 2010, the first for a Middle Tennessee women's basketball player.[17] She also led the NCAA in scoring average during the 2009–10 season with 25.1 points per game, capping a junior year where she set a school record with 935 points in 2008–09.[22] Additionally, Clark was twice named Most Outstanding Player of the Sun Belt Tournament in 2009 and 2010.[48] Internationally, Clark received recognition for her performances in Israel's top league. During the 2010–11 season with Hapoel Rishon LeZion, she was awarded the EuroBasket.com Domestic Player of the Year and selected to the All-Israeli First Team, helping her team finish fifth in the league and reach the Israeli Cup semifinals.[17] She earned multiple All-Israeli honors over her three seasons in the Israeli National League from 2010 to 2013, including All-Israeli Second Team in 2011–12 while playing for Ramat Hasharon.[49] In the WNBA, Clark has been a three-time champion, winning titles with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020, and with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.[17] Her defensive contributions earned her All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2019 and All-Defensive First Team in 2020.[8] Clark's most prominent individual award came in 2023, when she was named WNBA Sixth Player of the Year and Associated Press Sixth Player of the Year, receiving 35 of 56 first-place votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters for her bench role in the Aces' championship run.[50]

Off the Court

Personal Life

Clark's Jewish heritage stems from her maternal grandparents, who are Jewish and speak Hebrew, a connection she began exploring after entering her professional career overseas. In 2011, while playing for Ramat Hasharon in the Israeli National League, she learned from a teammate that, under Jewish law, she qualified as Jewish through her maternal lineage, prompting her to delve deeper into her roots. This realization facilitated her acquisition of Israeli citizenship in 2012, granting her dual U.S.-Israeli nationality and allowing her to compete as a local player in Israel without foreign import restrictions.[28][27][49] Beyond basketball, Clark has cultivated a strong interest in cooking, often sharing recipes and hosting meals for teammates, as highlighted in WNBA media features. She maintains a personal blog dedicated to original recipes, culinary reviews, and cooking events, viewing it as a potential post-career pursuit. Her appreciation for music is deeply influenced by her parents, Jan and Duane Clark, both former nightclub singers specializing in R&B and standards, who raised her on timeless genres that she continues to enjoy at concerts. Clark is one of eight children, including her brother Corey Clark, a singer and former American Idol contestant.[51][52][53][11][10] Clark maintains a private personal life, with no public records of marriage or children as of 2025; she is known to be a devoted dog owner to her pets Sly and Cecil. During offseasons, she has engaged in U.S.-based basketball opportunities, including her debut in the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season in Nashville, her hometown area, where she competed from February to March. In 2022, she served as a U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy to Tanzania, conducting all-girls basketball clinics and discussions on empowerment for female youth athletes in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Arusha to foster cultural ties.[17][54][9][55]

Philanthropy and Community Work

In 2024, Alysha Clark joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective in partnership with the digital platform VOICEINSPORT, serving as a mentor to support girls' participation in sports.[56] Through this initiative, she provided virtual mentorship sessions, sharing her experiences to empower young female athletes and help them navigate challenges in sports.[57] The program aimed to engage over 50,000 girls globally by offering resources and guidance to keep them active and confident in athletic pursuits, and was extended into 2025.[58][57] Clark has actively participated in community basketball clinics to promote youth development and women's sports. In November 2022, she served as a U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy in Tanzania, where she hosted clinics for girls in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Arusha, emphasizing skill-building and cultural exchange to advance women's sports diplomacy.[55] Earlier, in 2016, she organized youth basketball clinics in Israel as part of the Omri Casspi Foundation's annual trip, collaborating with other professional athletes to engage local children and foster community connections.[59] In May 2025, Clark championed the Seattle Storm's annual toy drive benefiting Seattle Children's Hospital, continuing her longstanding involvement in supporting pediatric patients through toy donations and volunteering.[60] During the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season, she supported the Mt. Juliet Help Center, a local organization in her hometown providing community assistance.[61] These efforts reflect her commitment to using basketball as a tool for inspiration and empowerment among underserved youth. Clark has also supported initiatives tied to her Jewish heritage, including advocacy for social justice. In 2021, she participated in discussions on applying the Jewish concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) to address issues like racial equity and community service, drawing from her experiences as an American-Israeli athlete.[62] Her involvement in Israel-based programs has further strengthened ties with Jewish youth communities through sports outreach.

References

  1. Alysha Clark - Washington Mystics Forward - ESPN
  2. Washington Mystics Acquire Seattle Storm's 2026 First Round Pick ...
  3. Alysha Clark Nationality - WNBA - Sportskeeda
  4. Jewish ballers helped power Seattle Storm to WNBA championship
  5. Alysha Clark - Women's Basketball - Middle Tennessee State ...
  6. Alysha Clark Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More
  7. Alysha Clark Biography - ESPN
  8. Alysha Clark WNBA Stats - Basketball-Reference.com
  9. WNBA Champion Alysha Clark re-signs with AU Pro Basketball
  10. Alysha Clark Family - Father, Mother, Siblings - Sportskeeda
  11. Who Are Alysha Clark's Parents Jan and Duane? Exploring ... - PFSN
  12. Alysha Clark: Bouncing Back and Leading by Example in the WNBA
  13. Don't Underestimate Israeli-American Basketball Star Alysha Clark
  14. Alysha Clark: Former MTSU star, now star in WNBA - The Tennessean
  15. About Alysha | AlyshaClark
  16. Full Bio: Alysha Clark - Las Vegas Aces
  17. Alysha Clark Gatorade 2004 - 2005: Player of the Year Girls Basketball
  18. Miss Basketball Awards - TSSAAsports.com
  19. Mt. Juliet High School Championship History - TSSAAsports.com
  20. MJHS grad Clark earns 3rd WNBA championship
  21. Alysha Clark College Stats - Sports-Reference.com
  22. Alysha Clark College - Career, Achievements and more - Sportskeeda
  23. Alysha Clark - Athletes Unlimited
  24. Alysha Clark (2020) - Hall of Fame
  25. 2010 WNBA Draft
  26. Alysha Clark's Journal: On Tina Stewart, Playing Overseas, and ...
  27. Basketball Profile Welcome to the Club - Haaretz Com
  28. Making the Case: Alysha Clark for Defensive Player of the Year
  29. WNBA CHAMPION ALYSHA CLARK SIGNS WITH MYSTICS
  30. MYSTICS INJURY UPDATE - Washington Mystics - WNBA
  31. mystics injury report – may 12, 2022 - Washington Mystics
  32. Mystics Season Rewind: Alysha Clark Edition - Washington Mystics
  33. https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/teams/WAS/2022.html
  34. Alysha Clark Stats In The 2022 Playoffs | StatMuse
  35. Aces Sign Two-Time WNBA Champion Alysha Clark
  36. Alysha Clark Stats In The 2023 Playoffs | StatMuse
  37. Aces' Alysha Clark named 2023 Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year
  38. Clark adapting to new role with Aces - The Sporting Tribune
  39. Alysha Clark WNBA Stats & News - RotoWire
  40. Playoffs 2024 - WNBA
  41. Three-Time WNBA Champion Alysha Clark Signs with Seattle
  42. Alysha Clark returning to Seattle Storm, agent says - ESPN
  43. WNBA All-Star Brittney Sykes Traded to Storm, Mystics Get Alysha ...
  44. Alysha Clark - WNBA News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports
  45. How Alysha Clark, Jacy Sheldon have fit with Washington Mystics
  46. Alysha Clark Career Stats - WNBA - ESPN
  47. 2006-07 Belmont Bruins Women's Roster and Stats
  48. 2008-09 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Women's Roster and Stats
  49. Alysha Clark Statistics - Her Hoop Stats
  50. Clark named Sun Belt Tournament MOP after record-breaking ...
  51. Alysha Clark - Jewish Virtual Library
  52. Aces' Alysha Clark Wins 2023 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award
  53. Cooking with Storm forward — and future chef — Alysha Clark, the ...
  54. What athletes eat: Alysha Clark's baked chicken spaghetti - ESPN
  55. Cooking with Alysha | AlyshaClark
  56. Alysha Clark on X: "Every time I come to a real R&B concert I'm SO ...
  57. 3-Time WNBA Champion Alysha Clark Signs with AU Pro Basketball
  58. Alysha Clark Sports envoy in Tanzania
  59. WNBA and the WNBA Changemakers Collective Team Up with ...
  60. WNBA Changemakers and VOICEINSPORT extend community ...
  61. WNBA and the WNBA Changemakers Collective Team up with ...
  62. Alysha Clark Joins Omri Casspi Foundation on Trip to Israel ...
  63. Sue Bird, Zach Banner and Alysha Clark on using the concept of ...
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