Nia Clouden

Last updated
Nia Clouden
Personal information
Born (2000-05-17) May 17, 2000 (age 24)
Owings Mills, Maryland, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Listed weight139 lb (63 kg)
Career information
High school St. Frances
(Baltimore, Maryland )
College
WNBA draft 2022: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Connecticut Sun
Playing career2022–present
Position Guard
Career history
2022 Connecticut Sun
2023 Los Angeles Sparks
2023 REG
Career highlights and awards
  • WBCA Honorable Mention All-American (2022)
  • AP Honorable Mention All-American (2022)
  • 2x All-Big Ten First Team (2021, 2022)
  • All-Big Ten Second Team (2020)
  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2019)
  • All-Big Ten Freshman Team (2019)

Nia Clouden (born May 17, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who is a free agent. She played college basketball at Michigan State. Clouden was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft.

Contents

College career

Clouden came into her freshman year at Michigan State after being ranked the 42nd overall recruit in the 2018 ESPN HoopGurlz rankings. [1]

Clouden's Spartan debut came in an exhibition game and she showed early how good she could become. She posted a near triple-double with 13 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds against Hillsdale. Clouden started right away as a freshman and impressed head coach Suzy Merchant with her ability to run the team. [2] Clouden continued to impress throughout her freshman year and was awarded being selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman team, as well as All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. [3]

Clouden impressed in her second season in East Lansing as she was the leading scorer for the Spartans at 14.5 points per game. [4] Clouden was named to the All-Tournament team when the Spartans went to the Junkanoo Jam tournament in November 2019. [5] She scored a then career-high 28 points against Notre Dame in an early season win for the Spartans as well. She made 4 3-pointers, and added 3 steals and 3 rebounds [6] Clouden was once again awarded from the Big Ten Conference for her year, this time earning All-Big Ten Second Team. [7]

Clouden improved her scoring in her junior year once again. She was fifth overall in the entire conference averaging 18.7 points. She also became a top stealer - ranking 15th overall in the conference with 1.6 steals. In a rivalry game against in-state Michigan, Clouden set a new career high with 34 points. [8] She again also improved in her honors from the Big Ten - this time moving up to All-Big Ten First Team. [9]

In her senior season, Clouden put on one last show for the Spartans. She dropped a career high 50 points against Florida Gulf Coast. The 50 points broke the Michigan State women's basketball single game scoring record of 42 - previously held by Tori Jankoska. [10] Clouden was award All-Big Ten First Team for a 2nd time in her career and added some All-American Honorable Mentions to her collection - from the AP and the WBCA. [11]

College statistics

YearTeamGPPointsFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2018–19 Michigan State 33397.442.368.7473.63.91.20.212.0
2019–20 Michigan State 30436.381.274.8234.03.31.70.214.5
2020–21 Michigan State 24448.464.324.7804.23.91.60.218.7
2021–22 Michigan State 30601.427.396.8854.24.21.20.420.0
Career1171882.427.341.8134.03.81.40.216.1

Professional career

Connecticut Sun

In the 2022 WNBA draft, Clouden was selected in the 1st Round - 12th overall - by the Connecticut Sun. [12] Clouden made the opening day roster for 2022 - one of three new additions to the team from 2021. [13]

Overseas

On November 25, 2023, Clouden signed a short-term contract with REG from Rwanda to play in the FIBA Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL). [14]

WNBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold Career best°League leader

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2022 Connecticut 2808.9.340.414.5880.80.80.20.00.42.1
2023 Los Angeles 5110.8.300.333.5000.41.80.00.01.61.6
Career2 years, 2 teams3319.2.333.406.5790.80.90.20.00.62.0

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2022 Connecticut 704.6.444.5001.0000.30.70.30.00.11.9
Career1 year, 1 team704.6.444.5001.0000.30.70.30.00.11.9

Related Research Articles

Kristin Lynne Haynie is an American former basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and current head coach for the Central Michigan women's team.

Morenike Olayinka Atunrase is an American basketball player who played for the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars during the 2008 season. She was drafted in 2008 out of Texas A&M, where she played from 2004–08.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Hooper</span> American basketball player (born 1992)

Jordan Renee Hooper is an American basketball player. She last played for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was an All-American forward at the college level for the University of Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Banham</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Rachel Banham is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Banham played guard for the Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball team, where she set a number of team records. Banham was drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the 4th pick of the 2016 WNBA draft. Banham was traded to the Minnesota Lynx in 2020, and later re-signed with the Sun in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerial Powers</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Aerial Powers is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at Michigan State University. After a successful college career with the Spartans, Powers was drafted by the Dallas Wings with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Bridges</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Miles Emmanuel Bridges Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. A native of Flint, Michigan, he competed for Flint Southwestern Academy at the high school level before moving to Huntington Prep School for his sophomore, junior, and senior year. Bridges was selected 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2018 NBA draft, but was traded to the Hornets on draft night.

Nia Coffey is an American professional basketball player with the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). A small forward, she was drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft, which is the highest of any Northwestern basketball player in school history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaila Charles</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Kaila Charles is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm of the WNBA. She played college basketball for the University of Maryland, College Park. After a successful college career there, Charles was drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Dangerfield</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Crystal Simone Dangerfield is an American basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). After a high school career that made her the nation's top-ranked point guard, she played college basketball for the UConn Huskies. Dangerfield was drafted in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft by Minnesota, where she was named WNBA Rookie of the Year after leading the team in scoring. At 5'5", for the 2024 season, she is the shortest player in the WNBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aliyah Boston</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Aliyah Boston is an American professional basketball power forward and center for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was named 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and the AP Rookie of the Year. She played college basketball at the University of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naz Hillmon</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Nazahrah Ansaria Hillmon is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Melbourne Boomers of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball at Michigan, where she is Michigan's all-time leader in rebounds, double-doubles, and free throws made. As a junior she was named a first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year. She also represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and won a gold medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NaLyssa Smith</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

NaLyssa Smith is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for Baylor, winning the NCAA Division I Championship in 2019 and the Wade Trophy in 2021. She was drafted second overall by the Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Joens</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Ashley Rose Joens is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She played her college basketball at Iowa State Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference. She plays both the small forward and shooting guard positions. Joens had been considered one of the top prospects in the 2022 WNBA draft, but chose not to enter the draft and returned for a fifth season in 2022–23.

Evina Westbrook is an American professional basketball player who is a free agent. She most recently played for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at UConn and Tennessee. She was selected in the 2nd Round of the 2022 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm. During her time in the WNBA, Westbrook has played for the Minnesota Lynx and the Washington Mystics.

Kierstan Bell is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at Florida Gulf Coast and Ohio State.

Aisha Sheppard is an American professional basketball player. In 2022, she was drafted by and played for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. She currently plays for the Mexican team ADELITAS. She played college basketball at Virginia Tech.

Sam Thomas is an American professional basketball player. She was undrafted in the 2022 WNBA Draft, but made the Phoenix Mercury roster in 2022. She played college basketball at Arizona.

Khayla Pointer is an American professional basketball player. She was drafted into the WNBA by the Las Vegas Aces and played for the Indiana Fever. She played college basketball at LSU from 2017 to 2022. She currently plays for Casademont Zaragoza in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Mikesell</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Taylor Ayn Mikesell is an American basketball player who is a free agent. She was drafted by the Indiana Fever in the 2023 WNBA Draft and played during the 2023 season for the Atlanta Dream. She played her college basketball at Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference. She previously played for the Maryland Terrapins and the Oregon Ducks.

Kayana Traylor is an American professional basketball player who is a free agent. She was drafted by the Chicago Sky in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She played college basketball at Purdue and Virginia Tech.

References

  1. ↑ "2018 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ Tidwell; Trofatter, Sara; Chloe. "Moments that defined Nia Clouden's Spartan career ahead of the WNBA Draft". state news.com. The State News. Retrieved May 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Big Ten Women's Basketball Honors Announced On BTN". Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ "2019-20 W. Basketball Cumulative Statistics". msuspartans.com. MSU Athletics. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  5. ↑ Michigan State Women's Basketball. "Congrats to our own @NiaClouden for earning @JunkanooJam All-Tournament honors!! Back to Michigan we go ✈️". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  6. ↑ "No. 16 Michigan State women hold off No. 15 Notre Dame 72-69". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  7. ↑ "2019-20 Big Ten Women's Basketball Honors Announced On BTN". Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Michigan State vs. Michigan". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  9. ↑ "2020-21 All-Big En Women's Basketball Teams & Honors" (PDF). Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  10. ↑ Hruby, Emma. "MICHIGAN STATE'S NIA CLOUDEN DROPS 50 POINTS IN LOSS TO FGCU". justwomenssports.com. Just Women's Sports. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Nia Clouden Earns WBCA Honorable Mention All-American Honors". msuspartans.com. MSU Athletics. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  12. ↑ Garcia, Tony. "WNBA draft: Michigan State star Nia Clouden drafted to Connecticut Sun in Round 1". freep.com. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Connecticut Sun Finalizes Opening Day Roster". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  14. ↑ Sikubwabo, Damas (2023-11-25). "WNBA star Nia Clouden agrees to short-term deal with REG Women". The New Times. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.