Canadian star Aaliyah Edwards proud to be part of a growing community of women's basketball

As the WNBA begins training camps this week, the excitement of new stars rising is in the air and on the court. The MedStar Performance Center in Washington, D.C. is the practice facility of the Washington Mystics and Canadian basketball star Aaliyah Edwards's new team.

The celebrated forward, who played her college ball at the University of Connecticut under storied women's coach Geno Auriemma, is being warmly welcomed her new city. She threw the first pitch at a Nationals MLB game and also helped lead cheers for the Washington Spirit, the local NWSL team.

Born in Kingston, Ont., Edwards was recently drafted sixth overall by the Mystics in the WNBA draft. And in just a few months, the 21-year-old will head to France with the women's national team for the Paris Olympics. 

This is a big years for Edwards, from making it to the Final Four with UConn in one of the top-viewed college basketball games in history, to being a top draft pick for the WNBA, to representing Canada on sports' biggest stage.

Edwards said that since her freshman year, she has felt the growth of women's basketball, which she refers to as community. 

"I'm just so grateful to be a part of it and impacting it," she said with her wide trademark grin. "I feel like I'm not only acknowledging those that came before me and just trying to keep pushing that way, pushing that momentum of bet on women, but also, you know, paving the way for those coming behind me.

"Because I'm kind of opening up new doors and opportunities for the next generation." 

WATCH: Edwards on inspiring the next generation:

Edwards speaks with so much humility, despite her accomplishments and being so recognizable because of her bright yellow braids and the face mask she wears when she plays. Edwards broke her nose in 2022 and has worn the mask ever since. It hasn't affected her performance.

She averaged 17.6 points per game, 9 rebounds, made 74 per cent of her free throws, finishing her NCAA with more than 1,000 points. She's tactical on defence and commits to the play and her team with such tremendous intensity and force. Those attributes and undeniable skills have put her on the map as she was named Most Improved Player and was a semifinalist in voting for the Naismith Player of the Year award.

Her might on the court coupled with the face equipment reminds one of a young Christine Sinclair, who similarly had to protect her face after breaking her nose. And like Sinclair, Edwards holds her country and her family close to her heart. 

During an interview at the draft, WNBA reporter Holly Rowe asked Edwards about what it means to her that Canada was cheering her on. Edwards emotionally acknowledged the efforts of her family, most particularly her mother who coached her. During her exchange with Rowe, which admittedly also had me in tears, Edwards said she was hopeful that in following in her footsteps, young players in Canada would make their own impact. I asked her about that moment.

"First of all, I'm not sure how many words I actually got out during my interview with Holly because I was crying and choking up through half of it," she said with a laugh. "I said a little prayer, like, you know, God got me. I'm just appreciative of all the blessings he's given me leading up to this point.

"And [when WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert] called my name, that's when the tears went and the embrace with my family, each one of my family members, my teammates and also my college coaches there."