Wendell Carter Jr. has established himself as a standout player for the Orlando Magic, with his impressive skills on the court making him a fan favorite. While his on-court performances often keep him in the spotlight, there is another aspect of his life that has been generating interest.

As with many public figures, fans have become increasingly curious about the people closest to him. His connection with WNBA star Olivia Nelson-Ododa has led fans to wonder about their relationship status. Let’s dive deeper into who Olivia is and what their relationship status is.

Is Wendell Carter Jr. dating Connecticut Sun star Olivia Nelson-Ododa? 

Reports about Wendell Carter Jr. and Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s relationship have been circulating for some time. The couple first caught the attention when photos of them together began to surface, including a birthday celebration for Olivia in August 2022. Wendell shared a picture on his Instagram where they were seen sitting together, with a heartfelt caption wishing her a happy 22nd birthday.

Olivia responded in the comments with a sweet “I love you” message. Although the post has since been deleted, it can still be found on certain online platforms. Despite these glimpses into their relationship, the couple tends to keep their relationship private, and neither has confirmed the full details of their status.

Olivia was born on 17 August 2000 in Lansing, Michigan to parents, Heather Nelson-Ododa and Sebastian Ododa. She grew up in an athletically driven environment, with her father playing basketball for both the Kenyan national team and Huntington University. In fact, her mother shared a memorable moment in a 2016 ESPN story.

Sprinting past her older brother Alonzo, who was 15, standing at 6’9 and 235 pounds, and Heather, an 8-year-old Olivia, left both Mom and son in the dust. “She lapped us more than once. She just came out of nowhere and passed us by. Pretty soon, [Alonzo] got tired, but she kept sprinting,” Heather recalled.

Hilariously enough, Papa Ododa had the jokes. “Sebastian attributed it to Olivia eating Ugali (a cornmeal-based dish popular in Kenya and other African nations),” Heather shared.

Interestingly, Alonzo, a pro baller, was once engaged to WNBA player Dearica Hamby. Her younger brother, Isaiah, is currently a college basketball player at Tennessee Tech.

Olivia’s basketball journey started in high school, where she was named Miss Georgia Basketball in 2018. From there, she went on to play at the University of Connecticut, and during her sophomore year, she earned the Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors, becoming the fifth player in UConn history to record over 100 blocks in a single season.

Her success continued in her junior year, where she was named the Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year, earning a spot on the Second Team All-Big East. Her hard work paid off when she was drafted to the WNBA, and now she’s carving out her space in the league.

How long has Olivia Nelson-Ododa played in the WNBA?

Olivia Nelson-Ododa has had an impressive journey in professional basketball. After being drafted 19th overall in the second round of the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, she spent her rookie season with the team. However, in January 2023, she was traded to the Connecticut Sun, where she continues to play to this day. Alongside her WNBA career, she’s also spent time playing overseas, including stints with the Melbourne Boomers in Australia’s WNBL and the Guangdong Vermilion Birds in China’s WCBA.

In the WNBA, Olivia has earned a reputation as a solid defensive player, with a knack for rebounding and blocking shots. In the 2022 season, she played 30 games, starting in 6, and averaged 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, with a solid field goal percentage of 56.6. Her defensive skills were also notable, contributing 0.8 blocks per game.

After being traded to the Sun during the 2023 season, her role shifted, as she came off the bench in all 39 games. She improved her rebounding to 3.7 per game, while her scoring slightly increased to 4.5 points per game.

In 2024, her minutes were reduced, and she averaged 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, but she continued to contribute defensively with 0.6 blocks per game. She has been an important part of her teams, contributing both on defense and offense. While still early in her career, Olivia’s growth and potential are undeniable.

For Wendell and Olivia, their shared passion for basketball seems to be one of the cornerstones of their reported relationship. As their careers continue to grow, hopefully, we also hear the pair actually confirm their relationship.