Staten Island Advance

From 'The Rock' to Rocky Top

Before she was traveling the country as a WNBA All-Star, and even before she became a two-time NCAA champion under legendary coach Pat Summitt at Rocky Top, Tennessee, Nkolika "Nicky" Anosike was tearing up the blacktop at Staten Island's West Brighton Houses.

At 32-years-old, the six-foot-three-inch center's playing days are behind her, but Islanders remember how Anosike dominated the HS scene at St. Peter's Girls in the early 2000s.

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High School Phenom

A four-time Advance All Star, Anosike also collected a pair of Jaques Awards -- she was even named to the All-City and All-State teams, as well as Nike, McDonald's and Parade's All-American teams.

In fact, she was the New York State Player of the Year following her senior season in 2004, which saw her score in double figures every game of the season.

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Campus Legend

All in all, Anosike put up 1,814 points during her HS career, good enough to finish among the Island's top 10 all-time scorers.

Since the school's closing in 2011, Anosike was named St. Peter's best player of all time in a 2014 Advance poll.

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Reaching the Summitt

For Anosike, there was much more ball to be played after high school, and in 2004 she found herself playing under the sport's all-time winningest women's collegiate coach, Pat Summitt, at the University of Tennesse.

Summitt, who coached at Tennessee from 1974 until 2012 and trails only Duke men's coach Mike Krzyzewski in terms of college wins, referred to Anosike as "one of the hardest working student-athletes I have encountered in 35 years of coaching."

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College Dynasty

Anosike reached three Final Fours alongside WNBA stars Candace Parker and Shannon Bobbitt as a Lady Volunteer.

They won consecutive National Championships in 2007 and 2008, while Anosike made the All-Tourney team both years.

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Reaping the Rewards

In the '07 title game against Rutgers, Anosike pulled down 16 rebounds, and put forth a similar performance in '08 when she racked up 12 points, eight boards, and six steals in a championship triumph over Stanford.

She was also named the NCAA Woman of the Year in 2008, given to students who complete their eligibility and excel both athletically and academically.

A domineering center on the hardwood, Anosike boasted a 3.74 GPA as a political-science major in the classroom.

That same year, she was inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.

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College Days

After four successful years at Tennesse, Anosike posted career marks of 7.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and one block per contest.

"Her tenacity and unfailing will to succeed helped us win two titles," said Summitt.

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USA

During her time in college, Anosike also shined on the global stage, capturing gold at the Pan American Games in 2005 and 2007.

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In the Association

Following the '08 NCAA campaign, she was taken with the 16th overall pick in the second round by the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx.

Anosike was named to the league's All-Rookie First Team, as well as the All-Defensive First Team after her inaugural season.

She made the All-Star team during her sophomore campaign.

"I was so excited, I screamed so loud," said Anosike of the All-Star nod.

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Full Circle

During her five-year WNBA career, Anosike also played for the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks -- she averaged 8.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, nearly two steals and one block per game.

In 2018, Anosike returned to the hardwood at Tennessee, but in a new role as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.

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All in the Family

The Anosike family is no stranger to hoops success.

Nicky's brother O.D. was a 1,000-point scorer at St. Peter's and currently plays professionally in Spain.

O.D., now 27-years-old, led the NCAA in rebounding twice while playing for Siena in 2012 and '13.