.jpg) Magbegor with theSeattle Storm in 2024 | |
| No. 13 – Seattle Storm | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | WNBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1999-08-13)13 August 1999 (age 26) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 181 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lake Ginninderra College (Canberra, ACT) |
| WNBA draft | 2019: 1st round, 12th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Seattle Storm |
| Playing career | 2017–present |
| Career history | |
| 2017–2018 | Canberra Capitals |
| 2018–2022 | Melbourne Boomers |
| 2020–present | Seattle Storm |
| 2022–2023 | Sopron Basket |
| 2023–2025 | USK Prague |
| 2026–present | Hive BC |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Stats at WNBA.com | |
Stats atBasketball Reference  | |
Eziyoda Magbegor (born 13 August 1999) is anAustralianprofessionalbasketball player for theSeattle Storm of theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for theHive ofUnrivaled. Magbegor was a member of theAustralian women's basketball team (Opals) at the2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the Opals were eliminated after losing to the USA in the quarterfinals.[1] At the2024 Summer Olympics she earned a bronze medal with theAustralian team.
After beginning her career in theSouth East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) withBasketball Australia's development team, the Centre of Excellence, Magbegor did not take long to gain attention from professional leagues. In July 2017, Magbegor was signed by theCanberra Capitals for the2017–18 WNBL season.[2]
In March 2018, it was announced that Magbegor had signed a three-year deal with theMelbourne Boomers.[3] Magbegor first suited up for the Boomers in the2018–19 WNBL season, choosing to stay home in Australia working alongside the likes ofJenna O'Hea,Lauren Jackson andGuy Molloy despite several offers from US colleges.
In February 2020, Magbegor was named the Betty Watson Australian Youth Player of the Year (formerly the WNBL Rookie of the Year award) at the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) Awards, scoring 38 votes from a possible tally of 42 votes.[4]
In April 2022, Magbegor was part of theMelbourne Boomers championship team before moving to play basketball next season in Hungary[5]
Magbegor was selected 12th overall by theSeattle Storm in the2019 WNBA draft. At just 19 years old, she did not come over for the2019 WNBA season, as both she and the Storm preferred that she remain in Australia to continue her development.[6]
Magbegor joined the Storm for the2020 WNBA season, which was played in theWubble.[7] Inher rookie season, on a team with championship ambitions, Magbegor had a limited role. She averaged 13.3 minutes, 6.5 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game in the regular season, while shooting 56.9% from the floor, the ninth-best in the league. During the Storm's playoff run, she played only 35 minutes as the team went on to win the championship.[8][9] Magbegor became the second-youngest player in history to win a WNBA championship.[10]
Inher second season with the Storm, Magbegor's role slightly increased, and she started three games in the regular season. The Storm won the inauguralWNBA Commissioner's Cup and finished fourth in the regular season standings. However, they were unable to replicate their previous playoff success, losing to thePhoenix Mercury in a second-round single-elimination game. In that matchup, Magbegor made her first career playoff start, as Seattle was without their star forwardBreanna Stewart due to injury.[11]
Inher third season with the Storm, Magbegor became a regular starter, starting in 23 games and averaging 24.8 minutes per game. However, she eventually lost her starting spot to midseason signingTina Charles. In the playoffs, Magbegor's playing time decreased to an average of 15.5 minutes per game as the Storm fell to the eventual championsLas Vegas Aces 1–3 in the semifinals. Nonetheless, it was a successful season for Magbegor who was named to theWNBA All-Defensive Second Team for the first time in her career.[12]
Before the 2023 season, Magbegor signed a two-year deal with the Storm.[13] With Seattle losing Breanna Stewart and Tina Charles to free agency, andSue Bird to retirement, the2023 Seattle Storm season marked the start of a new chapter. Magbegor took on an undisputed starting role, starting all 40 games and averaging 32.6 minutes per game. She posted career-highs in all statistical categories and earned her first-ever selection to theWNBA All-Star Game. Magbegor was also named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team for the second consecutive season.[14] Despite her individual success, the Storm, with a much younger and less experienced roster, struggled and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Forthe 2024 season, the Storm significantly strengthened their roster by signing star free agentsNneka Ogwumike andSkylar Diggins-Smith. Alongside these two andJewell Loyd, Magbegor formed what the team marketed as the "Core Four."[15] In June, Magbegor signed a one-year contract extension with the Storm.[16] She started 37 games in the regular season, missing only the final three due to a concussion. As a result of being in the concussion protocol, she also missed the first playoff game against the Aces.[17] Although she returned for the second game, her efforts could not prevent another loss, which led to the Storm's elimination from the playoffs.[18] Despite her solid performances, Magbegor was not selected for the2024 WNBA All-Star Game, a decision ESPN's Kevin Pelton described as "the most egregious omission ever."[19] However, she received three votes for theWNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award[20] and was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the first time in her career.[21]
On November 5, 2025, it was announced that Magbegor had been drafted byHive BC for the2026 Unrivaled season.[22]
Magbegor made her international debut at the2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship inRussia, with theU19 Gems as a 16 year old. She then represented theU17 Sapphires at the 2015 Oceania Championships. Dominating the tournament, averaging 18 points per game and helping Australia take home Gold. Magbegor then lead the Sapphires to their inauguralWorld Championship title inSpain. After snapping team USA's 28-game win streak at U17 level, Australia went on to take home Gold. Alongside two of her teammates, Magbegor was named to the All-Tournament Team. In addition to this, she received the Most Valuable Player award.[23]
In December 2017, Magbegor was named to her firstOpals squad, earning her a place in the first camp as preparations for this years upcoming tournaments got underway.[24] After taking part in the team camp in February, Magbegor was then named to the final roster for the2018 Commonwealth Games where she would make her Opals debut.[25] Magbegor starred for the Opals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, having a standout game in Australia's win against the US in a pre-tournament friendly with 17 points, equal most in the game withBreanna Stewart. Magbegor then top scored for Australia during the Olympic tournament with 20 points and eight rebounds in the game against Belgium (her Olympic debut), and 15 points against China.[26]
Magbegor, like all the other members of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Opals women's basketball team, had a difficult tournament. The Opals lost their first two group stage matches. They looked flat againstBelgium and then lost toChina in heartbreaking circumstances. In their last group match the Opals needed to beatPuerto Rico by 25 or more in their final match to progress. This they did by 27 in a very exciting match. However, they lost to the United States in their quarterfinal 79 to 55.[27]
Magbegor returned to the spotlight at the2024 Summer Olympics inParis. The Opals won the bronze medal with a win over Belgium. Magbegor starred in that match, scoring 30 points on 71 percent shooting, while also contributing 13 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals. Her performance won her credit for both her offensive and defensive achievement.[28]
| GP | Games 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 |
| † | Denotes season(s) in which Magbegor won aWNBA championship |
Stats current through the 2025 season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Did not appear in league | ||||||||||||
| 2020† | Seattle | 22 | 0 | 13.3 | .569 | .333 | .704 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 6.5 |
| 2021 | Seattle | 30 | 3 | 15.2 | .506 | .556 | .846 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 6.7 |
| 2022 | Seattle | 33 | 23 | 24.8 | .550 | .345 | .736 | 5.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 9.5 |
| 2023 | Seattle | 40 | 40 | 32.6 | .513 | .385 | .699 | 8.1 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 13.8 |
| 2024 | Seattle | 37 | 37 | 30.7 | .512 | .245 | .874 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 11.7 |
| 2025 | Seattle | 44 | 44 | 27.3 | .493 | .292 | .687 | 6.2 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 8.0 |
| Career | 6 years, 1 team | 206 | 147 | 25.3 | .518 | .332 | .752 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 9.7 |
| All-Star | 1 | 0 | 12.1 | .250 | .000 | — | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020† | Seattle | 6 | 0 | 5.8 | .222 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| 2021 | Seattle | 1 | 1 | 31.0 | .444 | 1.000 | — | 9.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 |
| 2022 | Seattle | 6 | 0 | 15.5 | .583 | — | .667 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
| 2024 | Seattle | 1 | 1 | 28.0 | .600 | .667 | .000 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.0 |
| 2025 | Seattle | 3 | 3 | 24.7 | .583 | .000 | .250 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 5.0 |
| Career | 5 years, 1 team | 17 | 5 | 15.4 | .516 | .375 | .455 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 4.4 |
Born inWellington, New Zealand to Nigerian parents, Magbegor moved to Australia with her family at age six. One of Australian basketball's most promising talents, she has already been said to be the nextLauren Jackson.[29][30] As of 2021, Magbegor is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology atDeakin University;[31] she had initially been studying a Bachelor of Commerce in 2019.[32] In 2021, Magbegor was named as Deakin University's Female Sportsperson of the Year.[33]
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