Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame
Kahleah Copper
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 2016
Kahleah Copper, one of the most accomplished players in Rutgers women's basketball history, is a five-time WNBA All-Star, WNBA Finals MVP, Olympic gold medalist, and 2024 All-WNBA Second Team selection.
A two-time Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Copper led Rutgers in scoring for three consecutive seasons under Hall of Fame head coach C. Vivian Stringer. As a senior, she earned spots on the Ann Meyers Drysdale and Naismith Trophy preseason watch lists before being named to the Dawn Staley Award midseason watch list. She finished her collegiate career with 1,872 points, ranking third on Rutgers' all-time scoring list behind Sue Wicks and Cappie Pondexter. During her senior season, Copper scored in double figures in all but four games and recorded 11 double-doubles.
As a sophomore, Copper led the Scarlet Knights to the 2014 WNIT Championship and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. That same season, she earned American Athletic Conference First Team honors. She also helped guide Rutgers to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Selected seventh overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2016 WNBA Draft, Copper became Rutgers' eighth first-round draft pick and the program's highest selection since Epiphanny Prince was selected fourth overall in 2010. She was traded to the Chicago Sky in 2017, where she played a pivotal role in the franchise's rise, earning three WNBA All-Star selections and leading the Sky to its first WNBA Championship in 2021, capturing WNBA Finals MVP honors.
Copper later joined the Phoenix Mercury, where she has continued to establish herself as one of the WNBA's premier players. In her first season with the Mercury, she earned her first career All-WNBA honor, being named to the 2024 All-WNBA Second Team after averaging 21.1 points per game and ranking third in the league in scoring.
During the 2023–24 season, Copper returned to her alma mater as a member of the Rutgers coaching staff, serving as Director of Athletic Culture & Professional Development.
On the international stage, Copper helped Team USA capture gold at both the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games. During the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, she averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Copper graduated from Rutgers in 2016 with a degree in criminal justice.
A two-time Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Copper led Rutgers in scoring for three consecutive seasons under Hall of Fame head coach C. Vivian Stringer. As a senior, she earned spots on the Ann Meyers Drysdale and Naismith Trophy preseason watch lists before being named to the Dawn Staley Award midseason watch list. She finished her collegiate career with 1,872 points, ranking third on Rutgers' all-time scoring list behind Sue Wicks and Cappie Pondexter. During her senior season, Copper scored in double figures in all but four games and recorded 11 double-doubles.
As a sophomore, Copper led the Scarlet Knights to the 2014 WNIT Championship and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. That same season, she earned American Athletic Conference First Team honors. She also helped guide Rutgers to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Selected seventh overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2016 WNBA Draft, Copper became Rutgers' eighth first-round draft pick and the program's highest selection since Epiphanny Prince was selected fourth overall in 2010. She was traded to the Chicago Sky in 2017, where she played a pivotal role in the franchise's rise, earning three WNBA All-Star selections and leading the Sky to its first WNBA Championship in 2021, capturing WNBA Finals MVP honors.
Copper later joined the Phoenix Mercury, where she has continued to establish herself as one of the WNBA's premier players. In her first season with the Mercury, she earned her first career All-WNBA honor, being named to the 2024 All-WNBA Second Team after averaging 21.1 points per game and ranking third in the league in scoring.
During the 2023–24 season, Copper returned to her alma mater as a member of the Rutgers coaching staff, serving as Director of Athletic Culture & Professional Development.
On the international stage, Copper helped Team USA capture gold at both the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games. During the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, she averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Copper graduated from Rutgers in 2016 with a degree in criminal justice.
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