As the country dreams of seeing a Filipino in basketball’s biggest stage, Filipino-American Chanelle Molina is actually just inches away from seeing action in the WNBA. 

Last February 9, WNBA team Indiana Fever signed Molina to a training camp contract, which made her the first full-blooded Filipina to do so in the country’s history. 

Get to know more about Molina and how her stellar career is now setting her up for a big break.

She is Hawaiian

Molina was born and raised in Hawaii and is the eldest of 4 children. Her father Allan migrated to the US from Ilocos Norte when he was 15 years old, while her mother Roselyn moved to Hawaii from Quezon City at 5 years old. 

Molina grew up in a very sports-oriented family as she and her two younger sisters – Celena Jane and Cherilyn – have led Konawaena High School in Kealakekua, Hawaii to championships in both volleyball and basketball. 

The youngest in the family, Coby, pursued basketball as well. 

Molina’s uncles introduced her to basketball at the age of 10, as they would come over and play together in their front yard. 

As she sharpened her skills and started beating her uncles, she became a key player in her high school basketball team and was eventually named team captain.

Aside from being Filipino, Molina brought glory to Hawaii as she is a three-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Hawaii and a three-time Big Island Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year.

She was listed as a five-star recruit by ESPN.com, the No. 36 overall recruit and the 11th-best guard in the 2016 class and was inducted into the Enterprise Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor. 

She played for the Washington State Cougars

Molina shone in the challenging Pac-12 conference in all 4 years playing for the Washington State Cougars, where Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson also graduated from. 

The 22-year-old guard started 95 times out of the 107 games played and averaged 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game throughout her career from 2016-2020 in Pullman City.

Molina’s breakout game finally came when she dropped a Washington State freshman record-tying 33 points over No. 7 seed UCLA, which was the biggest upset in program history, 82-73, at that time.

The Hawaii native became a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and was also the US Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Freshman of the Week (January 9, 2017) after her breakout game. 

However, Molina suffered a setback after her freshman year when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). 

“I tore my ACL, and it was really tough, because before that I never gone through an injury that bad,” recalled Molina. 

“For rehab, it was a seven-month long process. I would go into the appointments, crying sometimes, other times I’ll be like having a positive mindset like: ‘Okay, I’m gonna get through this’, but it was just like an up and down emotional roller coaster.” 

The coaching change in Molina’s junior year affected her positively as she was an All-Pac-12 honorable Mention, All-Pac-12 defensive team honorable mention and Pac-12 Player of the Week in her senior year. 

Though she was a potential pick for the Connecticut Sun, the 5-foot-9 guard was undrafted in 2020.

She made her pro debut in Sweden

Molina turned professional last year with the Norrkoping Dolphins in the top tier competition of the Swedish Basketball League.

In 15 games with the Dolphins, Molina averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 34.1 minutes per game.

It was thanks to her opportunity in the Scandinavian country that she was given a second chance to vie for the WNBA though the training camp contract with Indiana. 

Though the contract details aren’t disclosed, Molina vows to work hard to prove that she can become the first Filipino to play in the WNBA. 

“I’m going to do my best to be the best that I can be at training camp. I’m going to work my tail off and I’m not going to let this opportunity go to waste,” said Molina.

She looks up to powerful women

Molina’s basketball career was inspired by important figures both in the sport and in her personal life. 

She idolizes four-time WNBA champion guard Sue Bird, who continues to play for the Seattle Storm at 40 years old. 

“She hustles, she’s always making the extra pass, she’s very composed on the court always communicating to your teammates,” describes Molina. 

The Filipina star baller also looks up to her mother Roselyn, who played a big part in her humble mindset and work ethic that has been admired by many coaches in her career. 

“She never rests and she’s always on her feet and always trying to accomplish the next task and I think I get that from her,” said Molina. 

– Rappler.com