01/15/2026
Alissa Katelina Pili (born June 8, 2001) is a basketball player residing in the United States, with roots from Indigenous and Samoan descent. She currently plays for the Utah Utes basketball team of the Pac-12 Conference. Previously, she played for the USC Trojans.
Get shirt here : https://nativeprideshop.com/products/nativeland
Pili was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Heather and Billy Pili and is of Samoan and Alaska Native descent. Her older brother, Brandon, played football for USC as a defensive lineman, and currently plays for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. She played football as a lineman from third to eighth grade as the only girl in her league and started playing organized basketball at age eight. She played for Dimond High School in Anchorage. As a freshman, Pili helped her team to a runner-up finish at the Class 4A state tournament. She led Dimond to two state championships, set the Class 4A all-time scoring record and was a three-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year. Pili won 13 state titles across all sports at Dimond, including four in volleyball, four in shot put, two in discus and one in wrestling. In her final two years of high school, she was named MaxPreps Female High School Athlete of the Year for her success in multiple sports, joining Missy Franklin as the only two-time recipients of the award. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, she committed to playing college basketball for USC.
Alissa Katelina Pili is not only a prominent basketball player but also a role model and advocate for both Indigenous and Samoan communities. She regularly participates in charitable activities and cultural events representing both of her heritage. Pili utilizes her influence to honor and preserve cultures while promoting the development and progress of Indigenous and Samoan communities.
Beyond her athletic career, Pili is actively involved in educational programs and health advocacy for children and adolescents in her community. She has become an ideal role model for young people, encouraging them to engage in physical activities and pursue their dreams.
Alissa Katelina Pili's influence and contributions extend beyond the realm of sports into other aspects of life and culture, making her a multimedia icon and a positive role model for future generations.
