Kahleah Copper Biography: Kahleah Copper born August 28, 1994 is an American professional basketball player currently with the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected seventh overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics before being traded to the Chicago Sky the following year.
Kahleah Copper Biography
Kahleah Copper’s legacy is a testament to excellence in women’s basketball, marked by her physical toughness and relentless determination. As a key player for the Chicago Sky, her journey inspires not only young athletes in the United States but also fans worldwide. This article explores her financial standing, celebrated career, family life, and what the future may hold.
Kahleah Copper Biography 2025 Details
| Born | August 28, 1994 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| High school | Prep Charter (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Girard College (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Rutgers (2012–2016) |
| WNBA draft | 2016: 1st round, 7th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Washington Mystics |
| Playing career | 2016–present |
| Category | Football Biographies |
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About Kahleah Copper
Kahleah Copper is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She was drafted with the seventh overall pick by the Washington Mystics in 2016, and was traded to the Chicago Sky the next year.
Kahleah Copper Achievements
After spending three seasons primarily as a bench player with the Sky, Copper earned a starting position in 2020. She rose to prominence in 2021, earning her first WNBA All-Star selection. Copper played a crucial role in leading the Chicago Sky to their first-ever championship that year and was named the WNBA Finals MVP for her outstanding performance. In addition, Copper won a gold medal representing the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France.
Kahleah Copper Wiki
- Born: 28 August 1994 (age 30 years), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Current teams: Phoenix Mercury (#2 / Guard), United States of America
- Education: Rutgers University (2012–2016), Girard College
- Height: 1.85 m
- Dates joined: 2017 (Chicago Sky), 2016 (Washington Mystics)
Early Life and College
Copper hails from North Philadelphia. She attended Girard College and Preparatory Charter High School, both located in Philadelphia, where she played basketball. During her high school career, she earned honors such as being named to the All-Public League team in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania All-State team, and the prestigious McDonald’s All-American team. Copper went on to play collegiate basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from 2012 to 2016, finishing her college career ranked third in all-time scoring for the program with 1,872 points.
Kahleah Copper’s Personal Information
Kahleah Copper has built her basketball career through a combination of talent and relentless hard work. Here’s a snapshot of key details about her personal life:
| Player Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kahleah Copper |
| Date of Birth | August 28, 1994 |
| Age | 30 |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Position | Guard/Forward |
| College | Rutgers University |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Team | Phoenix Mercury |
| Spouse | Engaged to Binta Drammeh |
Kahleah Copper’s Personal Life
Copper is known to keep her private life out of the spotlight. On social media, she frequently honors her family and supporters, sharing heartfelt moments and photos, especially of her grandmother. Family ties hold great significance for her. Notably, Copper wore pink throughout an entire season to raise awareness, inspired by her mother and grandmother’s battles with breast cancer.
She is deeply connected to her family and community, using social media primarily to spread positivity. Though she values time away from basketball, her dedication to the sport remains strong and sincere. Copper has openly embraced her identity and serves as a visible role model for LGBTQ+ representation in sports. While she maintains privacy about many aspects of her daily life, she consistently promotes community awareness and authenticity, earning respect for her openness and advocacy on social issues.
Kahleah Copper’s Family Background
Kahleah Copper comes from a close-knit and supportive family in Philadelphia. Her parents, Leticia Copper and Jewelz Butler, have always been her biggest supporters, actively encouraging her basketball ambitions. Kahleah often credits her mother and grandmother, both breast cancer survivors, as her sources of strength and inspiration. She has publicly honored them by wearing pink shoes and uniforms during games as a tribute to their courage and resilience. Kahleah has three sisters—Letia, Latifah, and Lattima—who also provide ongoing encouragement and support, helping motivate her throughout her career. She frequently expresses gratitude toward her family, acknowledging that their love and strength played a major role in her success.
Kahleah Copper’s Fiancée
Kahleah Copper is engaged to Binta “Daisy” Drammeh, a professional basketball player competing both in Sweden and internationally for the Swedish national team. The couple met while Copper was playing basketball in Europe and publicly confirmed their relationship in 2022. In November 2023, Copper announced their engagement on social media. Fans and fellow players have celebrated their relationship, admiring Copper’s openness about her personal life.
Kahleah Copper’s Contract Details
Kahleah Copper has maintained multi-year contracts throughout her WNBA career. In 2024, she re-signed with the Chicago Sky on a contract covering the 2025 season, reportedly worth around $490,118 total, with an average annual salary of about $245,059. In February 2024, she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury as part of a multi-player deal but continues to play under the same contract. Her contracts generally align with the WNBA salary structure for a Finals MVP. Beyond the WNBA, Copper also earns income from overseas club contracts during the league’s off-season. Overall, her earnings come from a combination of guaranteed WNBA salary, potential bonuses, and overseas play.
Kahleah Copper’s Salary Breakdown
Copper’s current salary with the Phoenix Mercury is approximately $248,134 based on her two-year agreement for 2024 and 2025. Her base salary has steadily increased over the years—from around $140,000 in 2020 with the Chicago Sky to over $228,000 in 2023. She is also expected to receive performance and team-related bonuses. While her WNBA salary is significant, her total income also includes overseas contracts and endorsement deals, contributing substantially to her financial profile.
| Year | Team | Salary | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chicago Sky | $140,000 | $160,000 |
| 2021 | Chicago Sky | $190,550 | $220,550 |
| 2022 | Chicago Sky | $202,154 | $237,154 |
| 2023 | Chicago Sky | $228,094 | $268,094 |
| 2024 | Phoenix Mercury | $241,984 | $241,984 |
| 2025 | Phoenix Mercury | $248,134 | $490,118 |
Kahleah Copper’s Career
Copper’s basketball journey spans multiple stages, starting from high school through college, professional, and international levels. At Rutgers University (2012-2016), she became the third all-time leading scorer in school history and earned numerous conference honors. Drafted 7th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, she was traded after her rookie season to the Chicago Sky. Over seven seasons with the Sky (2017-2023), Copper evolved into a WNBA star and helped lead the team to its first championship, earning Finals MVP honors in 2021.
During the WNBA off-seasons, Copper played overseas in countries like Belgium, Poland, Turkey, Israel, and Spain, winning MVP awards with teams such as Perfumerías Avenida in Spain and Çukurova in Turkey. In 2024, she continued her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury following her trade from Chicago.
Kahleah Copper’s High School and College Career
In high school, Copper excelled at Preparatory Charter School in Philadelphia, gaining national recognition. She led her team to a Philadelphia Public League championship as a junior, earning MVP honors in the title game. Her senior year stats included roughly 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Copper was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2012, first-team All-State in Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia’s Player of the Year.
At Rutgers, Copper was a four-year starter and key player. She made the Big East All-Freshman Team as a freshman, then steadily improved to lead the team in scoring during her sophomore year with 16.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. She earned First-Team All-AAC and tournament MVP honors that season. Her junior year saw her named Second-Team All-Big Ten after Rutgers joined the conference, maintaining strong scoring and rebounding. As a senior, she averaged 17.7 points and 8 rebounds per game and again earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors.
Kahleah Copper’s Professional Career
Selected 7th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, Copper averaged 6.2 points per game as a rookie. After being traded to the Chicago Sky, she gradually rose from a bench role to a starting position by 2020, leading the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game. She earned her first All-Star selection in 2021, averaging 14.4 points in the regular season and 17.0 points in the WNBA Finals, where she was named Finals MVP and helped the Sky capture their first championship. Copper continued as a key player for Chicago, making additional All-Star teams, before being traded to the Phoenix Mercury in 2024, where she maintained her strong performance, averaging over 18 points per game.
Kahleah Copper’s Net Worth 2025
Kahleah Copper’s net worth is estimated to be in the low millions, derived primarily from her WNBA contracts, overseas basketball salaries, and endorsement deals with companies like Nike. Her career earnings from both domestic and international play, along with sponsorships, form the bulk of her financial success, assuming she maintains sound financial management.
FAQs
What is Kahleah Copper’s family background?
Kahleah Copper comes from a close-knit family in Philadelphia. Her parents and three sisters have been her biggest supporters, especially her mother and grandmother who are breast cancer survivors. She often honors them by wearing pink in games as a tribute to their strength.
Who is Kahleah Copper engaged to?
Kahleah Copper is engaged to Binta “Daisy” Drammeh, a professional basketball player who represents Sweden internationally. They met while Copper was playing in Europe and publicly announced their engagement in November 2023.
How much does Kahleah Copper earn in the WNBA?
Kahleah Copper’s WNBA salary is around $248,134 per year under her current contract with the Phoenix Mercury, covering 2024 and 2025. She also earns income from overseas contracts and endorsement deals.
What teams has Kahleah Copper played for overseas?
Copper has played for several overseas teams during WNBA off-seasons, including clubs in Belgium, Poland, Turkey, Israel, and Spain, where she has won MVP awards.
What college did Kahleah Copper attend and how did she perform?
Kahleah Copper attended Rutgers University from 2012 to 2016. She became the third all-time leading scorer in Rutgers women’s basketball history and earned multiple conference honors during her collegiate career.
When was Kahleah Copper traded to the Phoenix Mercury?
Kahleah Copper was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Phoenix Mercury in February 2024 as part of a multi-player deal and continues to play under her existing contract.