Rutgers great Kahleah Copper wins WNBA title and Finals MVP

Kahleah Copper, the third all-time leading scorer in Rutgers women’s basketball history, led the Chicago Sky to their first ever WNBA title on Sunday. Copper won the Finals MVP while averaging 17.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in the Finals that went four games. She also shot 50.0% from the floor and 36.4% from three-point range.

In her sixth professional season, the first time All-Star averaged 18.6 points. 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 53.5% during the 2021 WNBA Playoffs in which the Sky were not expected to win. On a team that includes WNBA legend Candace Parker, the league’s assist leader the past five seasons in Courtney Vandersloot and one of the best shooters in league history in Allie Quigley, Copper’s emergence has the leading scorer this season has been remarkable. In the playoffs, she was the best player for championship team and stole the show in the Finals. Copper is now a household name in the WNBA.

Kahleah “Freakin’” Copper justified the nickname with two 20+ point performances in game two and three, including a double-double to tie the series on the road. She also left the internet with this iconic photo that Michael Jordan would be proud of.

Copper’s rise began in the 2020 season when she became a starter for the Sky and was a finalist for the WNBA’s most improved player, losing to former Rutgers teammate Betnijah Laney. She is now the sixth former Scarlet Knight to win a WNBA title and second to win the Finals MVP, joining RU and league legend Cappie Pondexter.

Here is a full list of former Rutgers players to have won a WNBA title: Chelsea Newton (Sacramento; 2005), Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix; 2007 & 2009), Tammy Sutton-Brown (Indiana; 2012), Essence Carson (Los Angeles; 2016), Epiphanny Prince (Seattle; 2020) and now Kahleah Copper (Chicago; 2021).

Former Rutgers teammate Courtney Locke was there to congratulate Copper after the game.

Congratulations to Kahleah Copper on winning the title, earning MVP honors and solidifying her stardom in the WNBA.