1. Early Life and Club Career (Brazil)
Damiris Dantas began her basketball journey at the age of 13, joining the specialized basketball institute founded by Brazilian legend Janeth Arcain. Her innate talent and dedication quickly propelled her forward, and within just four years of starting the sport, she had already transitioned into a professional basketball player. In Brazil, Dantas played for several clubs, including Ourinhos in 2012, Maranhão in 2013, and Americana from 2013 to 2015. These early professional experiences laid the foundation for her future career, preparing her for international and WNBA competitions.
2. International Career
Dantas has been a prominent figure in Brazilian national basketball, contributing significantly to both youth and senior teams. In 2011, she represented Brazil at the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship for Women held in Chile, where she played a pivotal role in leading her team to a bronze medal. Her outstanding performance in the tournament earned her the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The same year, Dantas also made her mark with the senior national team, securing a gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Women. Her international success continued as she won a bronze medal at the 2011 Pan American Games. In 2016, Dantas prioritized her commitment to the Brazilian National Team, training extensively for the 2016 Summer Olympics hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This dedication, while preventing her from reporting to her WNBA team's training camp that season, underscored her commitment to representing her country on the global stage.
3. WNBA Career
Damiris Dantas has had a notable career in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), playing for multiple franchises across several seasons.
3.1. Minnesota Lynx (2014-2015)
Dantas entered the WNBA as a highly anticipated prospect, selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round as the 12th overall pick of the 2012 WNBA draft. However, her WNBA debut was delayed, as she was not expected to play until after the 2012 Olympic Games due to her international commitments. She officially signed with the Lynx on April 2, 2014, and made her WNBA debut on May 16, 2014. In that game against the Washington Mystics, she impressively gathered 12 rebounds, marking a strong start to her career. She became only the second rookie in league history to debut with 10 or more rebounds and 5 assists. When teammate Rebekkah Brunson was sidelined with tendinitis, Dantas stepped into a starting role and quickly led all WNBA rookies in rebounds. On August 9, 2015, she achieved a career-high of 18 points.
3.2. Atlanta Dream (2015, 2017-2018)
On July 27, 2015, Dantas was part of a significant three-team trade, which saw her move to the Atlanta Dream. She was suspended for the entire 2016 WNBA season because she did not report to the Dream's training camp, opting instead to train with the Brazilian National team in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Despite her absence, the Atlanta Dream retained her rights and expected her to return for the 2017 WNBA season. She indeed returned and played for the Dream during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, continuing to contribute to the team's efforts.
3.3. Minnesota Lynx (2019-2023)
On February 8, 2019, Dantas returned to the Minnesota Lynx, signing as a free agent, marking her second stint with the franchise. Her return was initially hampered by a calf injury that caused her to miss several games during the 2019 season. However, she played 26 games, starting all of them, and recorded career-highs in minutes, points, and assists per game. During this period, Dantas significantly expanded her offensive game, particularly improving her outside shooting. This development made her an invaluable asset to the Lynx, as her ability to consistently make three-point shots opened up crucial space in the paint for dominant post player Sylvia Fowles.
In the 2020 WNBA season, played within the special WNBA Bubble, Dantas further solidified her reputation as one of the league's elite-shooting bigs. She shot an impressive 44.3% from beyond the arc on just over four attempts per game across the 22-game campaign. She concluded the season with strong averages of 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, showcasing her versatility and impact. Following one of her best years in the WNBA, Dantas and the Lynx agreed to a multi-year contract extension in September 2020. Coach Cheryl Reeve praised Dantas's significance to the team, stating, "Damiris has been such an important part of the Lynx culture since she first became a member of our organization in 2014...She has made great strides as a player over the last couple of years and remains an important element in our path forward." She continued to play for the Lynx until her departure in 2023.
3.4. Indiana Fever (2024-present)
On February 1, 2024, Dantas signed a multi-year contract with the Indiana Fever. Her start with the team faced immediate challenges; she was unable to join the opening week of training camp due to a visa issue and a family emergency. Upon her return to Indianapolis for the second week of camp, a knee injury further prevented her from training with the team. Consequently, the Fever suspended her contract while she recovered from her injury. However, Dantas was officially activated by the Fever on June 25, 2024, joining the team for active play.
4. Non-WNBA Professional Career
Outside of the WNBA, Damiris Dantas has also played in various professional basketball leagues internationally, often during the WNBA off-seasons. She has been a part of Botaş SK, a club competing in the Turkish Super League. Additionally, she has played for Busan BNK Ssum in the Women's Korean Basketball League (WKBL), further demonstrating her diverse professional experience across different global basketball environments.
5. WNBA Career Statistics
These tables present Damiris Dantas's detailed statistical records from her WNBA career, covering both regular season and playoff performances.
5.1. Regular Season Statistics
Stats current through end of 2024 regular season
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Did not play (Olympic commitment) | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | Did not play | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | Minnesota | 30 | 23 | 21.8 | .511 | 1.000 | .760 | 5.1 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 6.0 |
| 2015 | Minnesota | 16 | 4 | 16.7 | .581 | .667 | .789 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 5.6 |
| Atlanta | 16 | 16 | 24.8 | .383 | .333 | .973 | 5.4 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 8.3 | |
| 2016 | Did not play (Olympic commitment) | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | Atlanta | 34 | 2 | 18.0 | .392 | .265 | .767 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 7.7 |
| 2018 | Atlanta | 19 | 0 | 13.4 | .433 | .238 | .722 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 5.4 |
| 2019 | Minnesota | 26 | 26 | 25.6 | .432 | .393 | .731 | 4.5 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 9.2 |
| 2020 | Minnesota | 22 | 22 | 26.6 | .464 | .433 | .727 | 6.1 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 12.9 |
| 2021 | Minnesota | 24 | 20 | 23.8 | .377 | .333 | .650 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 7.7 |
| 2022 | Minnesota | 15 | 15 | 17.5 | .304 | .262 | .833 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 5.1 |
| 2023 | Did not play | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | Indiana | 20 | 0 | 10.5 | .459 | .394 | .667 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 4.5 |
| Career | 9 years, 3 teams | 222 | 128 | 20.2 | .426 | .345 | .776 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 7.4 |
5.2. Playoff Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Minnesota | 3 | 0 | 8.4 | .500 | - | - | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| 2019 | Minnesota | 1 | 1 | 28.0 | .615 | .333 | 1.000 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 20.0 |
| 2020 | Minnesota | 4 | 4 | 34.3 | .471 | .519 | .833 | 7.5 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 18.0 |
| 2024 | Indiana | 2 | 0 | 16.0 | .500 | .400 | 1.000 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 8.0 |
| Career | 4 years, 2 teams | 10 | 5 | 22.2 | .500 | .474 | .875 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 11.0 |
6. Awards and Achievements
Throughout her career, Damiris Dantas has earned several significant individual awards and team achievements, highlighting her impact on the court:
- FIBA U-19 World Championship - Bronze Medal (2011)
- Most Valuable Player - FIBA U-19 World Championship (2011)
- FIBA Americas Championship - Gold Medal (2011)
- Pan American Games - Bronze Medal (2011)
7. Playing Style and Assessment
Damiris Dantas is recognized for her versatile playing style, particularly her ability to stretch the floor as a "big" player. Initially known for her rebounding and inside presence, she significantly developed her outside shooting, transforming into an "elite-shooting big" during her second tenure with the Minnesota Lynx. This improvement allowed her to consistently make three-point shots, which not only contributed directly to scoring but also created crucial space in the paint for teammates like Sylvia Fowles, enhancing the team's overall offensive efficiency. Her contributions extend beyond scoring, encompassing solid rebounding and playmaking, making her a valuable asset to any team she joins.