From Aotearoa to the WNBA, Charlisse Leger-Walker stays true to her roots

From representing New Zealand to the bright lights of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Charlisse Leger-Walker has become the first wahine Māori to be drafted into the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Leger-Walker has carved out a journey defined by resilience, growth and history-making success.

Of Māori and Samoan descent, she hails from Te Whakatōhea iwi, and the village of Nofoali’i.

Raised in an athletic family in Kirikirroa (Hamilton), Leger-Walke's talent was evident at an early age.

Her success through local pathways and junior international competitions saw her labelled as one of New Zealand's youngest rising stars.

However, coming from a small basketball nation, her road to the global stage required a leap into the NCAA scene.

Leger-Walker established herself at Washington State, before transferring to the UCLA Bruins (University of California Los Angeles) where she recently won a Division 1 NCAA basketball championship, helping her team defeat South Carolina 79-51.

This was Bruins’ first NCAA women’s basketball championship in program history.

Leger-Walker became the first Māori wahine to accomplish this milestone, when she put up a stat line of 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Her younger cousin Ingram Leger says: “She’s a huge role model for the Māori and Pasifika kids here who idolise to be like her.”

Leger says their family is excited to see her start this new journey in the WNBA/

"We know how talented she is. She’s just got to grab it with both hands, keep working at it and the rest will take care of itself.”

Older cousin Arizona Leger was overwhelmed with emotion after hearing Leger-Walker's name being called out on draft night.

“When the 18th pick was called and they said her name I started crying in the car. Obviously, it's a massive moment in history for her to achieve what she did but also it was emotional just as an older cousin to see your cousins achieve their dreams.

“She's a woman of service and a very steadfast leader and I feel like that translates to how she guides herself and others in the arena."

As Leger-Walker embarks on her WNBA career, she remains diligent and grounded to her roots.

“She continues to evolve into the beautiful human that she is today but, even with all of her successes over time, she's remained true to the foundations she was brought up with,” Arizona Leger says.

The 2026 WNBA regular season officially tipped off on May 8, marking the start of the league's 30th season.

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