ERICA WHEELER

Growing up in her grandmother’s five-bedroom home, Erica Wheeler lived with a dozen other siblings and relatives in Miami. Her mother, Melissa Cooper, assisted Erica with taking her basketball skills to Monsignor Pace. Eventually, Erica transferred to Parkway Academy and assisted Parkway to a set of state championships as a junior and senior in 2008 and 2009. She considered South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana State to pursue her college career, but ultimately chose Rutgers. Erica was even rated the fifth point guard in the ESPNU HoopGurlz100. 

Finishing her Rutgers career with 1,027 career points, Erica ranked at Rutgers as the fifth all-time in 3-point field goals made, third in 3-point field goals attempted, and 10th on the Scarlet Knight all-time 3-point field goal percentage list. Erica also earned the title All-BIG EAST player at Rutgers. After college, Erica played overseas in Puerto Rico, Turkey, and Brazil before receiving a call from the Atlanta Dream, becoming a part of the WNBA. She signed as a free agent with Indiana in February 2016 and is the second undrafted player to play in WNBA since 2007, having 1,000 career points, making her the sixth undrafted free agent in WNBA history to reach 1,000 points and 400 assists. Erica has played five WNBA seasons, becoming the first player in franchise history to win All-Star Game MVP in 2019. In February 2021, the former Indiana Fever signed with the L.A. Sparks.

Passionate about fashion, Erica hopes to set herself up for a career in it after basketball. The Adidas athlete wants to explore new opportunities within the fashion industry. Erica's fashion is authentically her and is often a mix of the various influences around her on and off the court. 

FUN FACTS

• Helps with styling Anthony Walker from the Indianapolis Colts.
• Her family (mother specifically) is the reason why she is so involved in basketball.
• The tattoos on her shoulder are a tribute to her mother’s passing from cancer which happened her senior year of college.