Akela Maize

Personal: Hobbies include jigsaw puzzles and laughing ... has a dog (AussieDoodle) named Scout … would be an athletic trainer if not playing basketball … credits Chasity Melvin as someone who has made a difference in her life … involved in several clubs (Broadcast Club, Dance Club, Nursing Club) as a child.

2023 Season: Maize accumulated 3,126 leaderboard points, earning her the 27th spot in the final league standings. She tied for sixth in the league with 3,150 win points. During the Week One finale against Team Cloud, Maize secured a season-high of 386 leaderboard points. She appeared in six games. She scored two points in consecutive games against Team Cloud on February 26 and Team Hillmon on March 1.

2022 Season: Maize tallied 2,541 leaderboard points across 12 appearances. She scored 200 or more points in seven games, including a season-high 408 points in Week Two against Team Russell. Maize averaged 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest throughout the season. She posted a season-high of 11 points in the Week Two finale against Team Russell, when she went 5-for-5 on shots from the field and added a successful free throw to her tally. She closed Week Five against Team Harrison on February 26 with a season-high of six rebounds. Maize played a season-high of 16 minutes during this game, contributing nine points.

Other Professional Experience: Maize has played professionally in Spain, Greece, France and Bulgaria. She most recently played in Puerto Rico for Lares where she averaged 14.1 points and 12.1 rebounds over 15 games during 2022 season. She earned BSNF’s Top Rebounder Award in 2022. Maize signed a Training Camp contract with WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury in 2021 and appeared in one preseason game against Seattle.

College Experience: Four-year letter winner for the Wolfpack who started 33-of-88 games in college career ... tallied 461 points and 293 rebounds ... enjoyed best season as a senior when she averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds while starting 33-of-34 contests ... member of 2017-18 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Team ... two-time member of ACC Academic Honor Roll … named to Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List as a senior. During her tenure at NC State, Maize was a four-year letter winner for the Wolfpack who started 33-of-88 games. She amassed 461 points and 293 rebounds. In her senior season, she averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while starting in 33 out of 34 contests. She was named to the 2017-18 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Team. She was also a two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll. As a senior, she was named to the Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List. She ranks second on the Wolfpack's single-season blocks list, recording 68 rejections during the 2017-18 campaign.