Shakira Austin

Shakira Austin is an American professional basketball player who plays center for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA and for the Rose of Unrivaled in the new 3-on-3 league. Drafted third overall in 2022, she made the WNBA All-Rookie Team that same year and has established herself as a defensive anchor and rebounding force. Known for her shot-blocking instincts and a developing offensive game, Austin is widely regarded as one of the league's promising young post players. Off the court, she stands out for her bold fashion sense and engaging social media presence, connecting with fans through game highlights and personal content.[edit]

Shakira Austin grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, raised by her mother LaToya Austin alongside her siblings. She attended Riverbend High School, where she started playing basketball seriously. By her junior year, she was averaging a double-double and leading Riverbend to regional success. ESPN rated her a four-star prospect and ranked her among the top 20 centers nationally in the 2018 class.

She committed to the University of Maryland, playing two seasons there. As a sophomore, she averaged 8.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Wanting a larger role, she transferred to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 2020. That move changed her trajectory. At Ole Miss under coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Austin became the focal point of the offense. In her junior season (2021–22), she averaged 15.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, leading the Rebels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007. She earned All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team honors, setting school records for single-season rebounds (326) and double-doubles (18).[edit]

The Washington Mystics selected Austin with the third overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, making her the highest-drafted player in Ole Miss history. She debuted on May 6, 2022, scoring 10 points against the Fever. In her rookie season, she played 35 games with 14 starts, averaging 8.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks while shooting 47.5% from the field. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

In 2023, Austin started all 30 games she played, raising her averages to 10.2 points and 7.0 rebounds. She recorded her first career double-double that season against the Liberty with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The 2024 season saw her continue as a starter, averaging 9.5 points and 6.8 rebounds while helping the Mystics push for the playoffs. A hip labrum tear required offseason surgery, and she missed significant time in 2025, playing only 18 games and averaging 7.1 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Beyond the WNBA, Austin played overseas in Israel, Turkey, and China during offseasons. In 2025, she joined the Rose of Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, becoming one of its first core players. Fully healthy in 2026, she is expected to reclaim her starting center role and has been working on expanding her three-point shooting.[edit]

On the court, Austin is known for her defensive tenacity and rebounding, often described as a raw but talented center with room to grow offensively. Media coverage highlights her potential as a future All-Star. Off the court, she has cultivated a reputation as a fashion icon, wearing bold pregame outfits, statement jewelry, and confident poses. She has been featured in WNBA fashion segments and partnered with Nike and BodyArmor. Her social media voice is playful and relatable, mixing game highlights, training videos, and personal moments. Fans, informally called Shakira's Squad, appreciate her authenticity and interaction on Instagram and Twitter.[edit]

Shakira Austin is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine as a figure without a placement in the published rankings, meaning she does not hold a position within the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top-100 lists as of August 2026. While her athletic performance generates consistent coverage in sports media, she has not yet crossed the threshold required for a quantified global fame rank. Her public profile remains anchored in professional basketball statistics rather than celebrity culture or viral mythology. The audience surrounding Austin consists primarily of Washington Mystics supporters and general WNBA followers who track her defensive metrics and rebounding prowess. Unlike pop stars with organized tribes, there is no official or widely recognized moniker for her fanbase. An X account titled @Theylove_kira aggregates news regarding her achievements, such as AP Player of the Week honors, but this functions as a single-user feed rather than an organized movement. No formal fan campaigns, birthday billboards, or charity drives funded by supporters have been documented. Her interaction with fans follows standard professional athlete protocols, focusing on game highlights and personal content rather than unique rituals or inside jokes. The narrative around her is defined by verified athletic feats, including her third overall draft selection and recent statistical dominance during the 2026 season, rather than eccentric cultural phenomena or internet-driven folklore. Consequently, the lack of a specialized fandom name reflects a following that is substantial within its niche but has not yet evolved into a distinct, self-named cultural entity.[edit]

Her mother named her after the Colombian singer Shakira, though Austin often jokes about her inability to carry a tune. She owns a French Bulldog named Mystic, a nod to her WNBA team, and maintains an avid cooking habit, frequently sharing recipes during the offseason. A tattoo dedicated to her mother serves as a permanent tribute, and she was honored on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2021. In 2023, she appeared as a guest on both The Athletic Women's Basketball Show and The WNBA Podcast. Recent reports from August 2026 highlight her scoring prowess, where she netted 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting to earn Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, and followed up with a 20-point performance against the Sparks before a seven-game win streak concluded. She also represented the United States on the 2026 USA 3x3 Champions Cup team. While some social media users create content celebrating her play, no specific viral legends or extraordinary crowd reactions have entered popular folklore; her story remains one of steady athletic progression rather than mythic anecdote.[edit]

Shakira Austin was raised by her mother, LaToya Austin, who she credits as her biggest inspiration. LaToya worked multiple jobs to support Shakira and her siblings and regularly attends Mystics games. Austin has a close bond with her family and often posts about them on social media. She does not have children and is not married. Her French Bulldog, Mystic, lives with her in the Washington D.C. area.[edit]

Shakira Austin plays alongside Elena Delle Donne, Ariel Atkins, and Natasha Cloud on the Washington Mystics. In the Rose of Unrivaled, she is teammates with league co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Her college coach at Ole Miss was Yolett McPhee-McCuin. She is represented by Wasserman Media Group and has endorsement deals with Nike and BodyArmor.[edit]

Shakira Austin has kept her romantic life private. As of early 2026, there are no confirmed public relationships, and she has not been linked to any partner in credible media sources. She has not posted about a significant other on social media or discussed dating in interviews. Her current relationship status is single.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Shakira Austin's net worth at $1 Million. Her primary income source is her WNBA salary, which began at approximately $73,000 during her rookie year and rose to roughly $97,000 by 2025. As a veteran entering 2026, her compensation is projected to fall between $100,000 and $120,000 under the standard veteran scale. Overseas contracts secured during WNBA offseasons in Israel, Turkey, and China have generated an estimated $150,000 to $300,000. Endorsement agreements with Nike, active since 2022, and BodyArmor, beginning in 2023, contribute approximately $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Additionally, her participation with the Rose of Unrivaled adds between $100,000 and $150,000 per season. There are no known real estate holdings or major business ventures associated with her portfolio.[edit]

Shakira Austin was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2022. In college, she earned All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team honors in 2022, and was a multiple-time SEC Player of the Week. She also won Virginia 5A State Player of the Year in high school.[edit]