With the WNBA playoffs underway, it’s impressive to see the growth of women’s basketball to reach records through social media and the TV screen. Anisja Harris is a testament to that as she continues to contribute to why women’s basketball is important. Harris has been a part of the sport since 8th grade and soon found her game elevating in her senior year of high school as she led Lincoln High School to a District Championship title. Anisja’s game would lead her to capture First-Team All-League, Second-Team All-District, and All-State Honorable Mention. 

Anisja began her collegiate career at Wright State University; where played there in both her freshmen and sophomore year. Harris admitted that she fell in love with the game in her freshman year as she credits her mentors of the game for fueling her passion for the game. “I was around great coaches and teammates that sparked my interest in the game,” stated Harris. During her freshman year, Anisja appeared in 31 games and scored a season-high in five different categories against the Kentucky States women’s basketball team (points, field goals made (FGM), field goals attempted (FGA), 3-pointers, and 3-pointers field game (3PFA). After her first year, Harris tallied 89 points, 26 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 steals, and 87% behind the stripe in 256 minutes. Harris’s game would step up in her sophomore season as she averaged 21.1 minutes per game (the 5th most on the Wright State Raiders’ roster) and poured 21 points in 28 minutes in a win against Youngstown State. Anisja’s sophomore overall statistics totaled 196 points, 99 rebounds, 24 assists, 19 blocks, and 7 steals. After two seasons at Wright State, Anisja transferred to Florida A&M University (FAMU). In her first year at Florida A&M, Harris and the women’s basketball program were unable to play the 2020-21 season as it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the 2020-21 season, Anisja finally gets the chance to play for FAMU in the 2021-22 season. In her first season playing for the FAMU Rattlers, Harris continued to improve throughout the season as she averaged 14.8 ppg (points per game) and 3.8 rebounds per game. Anisja would conclude her first season with FAMU with 355 points, 86 rebounds, 30 assists, 32 steals, and 5 blocks. After two years at FAMU, Anisja entered the transfer portal and committed to continue her collegiate career at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for the 2022-23 season. 

When it comes to balancing academics and athletics, student-athletes must be able to prioritize both to continue their collegiate career. Anisja is familiar with the balance of books and sports as she describes each day as busier than a regular student's schedule and how it soon becomes a lifestyle. Harris admits that juggling both ball and school was overwhelming at first; but, soon got used to it as she strives to achieve greatness in the classroom and on the court. When you want something bad enough, you’re not thinking about every hurdle it takes to get there,” Anisja explains. “It doesn’t feel like work when you love what you’re doing!” Anisja explains that living in the moment has also helped her manage both priorities as she gets an idea of what to prepare for the day through a schedule and makes the point to focus on what she can control. “When I’m at the gym, I’m at the gym. When I’m in class, I’m in class. I have made it a point to just control what I can control, Harris details.” After 4 years of undergrad at both Wright State and Florida A&M University, Anisja received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Soon afterward, Anisja was accepted into the CSL Master Program for Sports management at VCU; where she sees the degree applies to the sport; particularly coaching. “Coaching allows me to see the game from a different perspective,” Harris states. “In many ways, it helps reinforce what I already know.”

Women’s basketball has changed in so many ways to where female players are gliding in the air to the basket. In other words, dunking is starting to show a lot in women’s games. The most recent dunk that occurred in a women’s basketball game was the 2022 WNBA All-Star. Minnesota Lynx’s Sylvia Fowles stole the ball from the opponent and completed a dunk on a fast break, which would be her final WNBA All-Star appearance as she announced her retirement earlier this season. Anisja vouches that women’s basketball continues to grow as women are now dunking more in games. As more opportunities for women’s basketball are on the rise, Anisja hopes to continue to play ball at a professional level as it is a goal of hers. 

When it comes to the sport that you love, you are going to experience the highs and lows through the journey. For Harris, she advises future athletes to stay true to the vision; especially when it comes to their passion. “If it were easy, then everyone would do it. “There will be highs and lows, but I don’t celebrate the victories too long and never dwindle too long on the losses,” Anisja states. “Each outcome is an opportunity as long as you continue to grow then there is no limit to who you can become.” Harris reminds future athletes why there is no need to compare their game to others and to stay humble. “Don’t lose hope because of what your competition is doing now, your blessings could be much more significant,” Anisja explains. “Never compare yourself to others because your story is your story. You have to trust God's Plan for you and his timing!”

The late, great Kobe Bryant has always been known to be the hardest-working player ever in the league and is considered the Top 10 greatest NBA players of all time. Not only was Bryant a great player, but he also supported and had a passion for women’s basketball as many of his mentees are either currently in the league or college such as Sabrina Ionescu, Hailey Van Lith, Paige Bueckers, Jewell Loyd, Candance Parker, and countless others. Anisja views the Lakers legend as a role model as she saw how Bryant broke down the game differently. “His “Detail” video breakdown of the game was mind-blowing,” Harris states. “Kobe was the definition of hard work that pays off. He never let anyone outwork him and being that I already had a late start to the game, he (Bryant) was a great role model for me.”

Whether an athlete starts a sport late or early, it’s never too late or early for that person to grow that passion and love for the game that motivates them to become the best athlete and person both on and off the court. Anisja’s story exemplifies that it’s never too late to love a sport, regardless of what age or time it is. As one of the only athletes in her family, Harris knew to embrace the countless practice and hard work as she saw basketball as her safe place. “When I was young and caught up in all the wrong things, sports helped me stay on the course,” Harris describes. I want to be able to set the tone for my younger siblings/ cousins as they grow & find their interests in sports.”

To learn more about Anisja, be sure to follow her on Instagram: anisjaharris_