Trinity Rodman, daughter of Dennis, goes No. 2

Trinity Rodman has arrived on the NWSL scene.

The Washington Spirit picked the Washington State Cougars freshman and USWNT U-20 star with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old, picked after Racing Louisville took UNC defender Emily Fox with the top pick, is the daughter of Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman. The younger Rodman is lauded for her speed and scoring ability, notching nine goals in a winning US effort in the 2020 CONCACAF under-20 women’s championship last March.

She thanked her father for the athletic genes, but plans to be her own star.

“I’m just excited to be known as Trinity Rodman,” she told the media. “Not Dennis Rodman’s daughter.”

Rodman will have the option to make her name known at the NCAA level first — the Cougars did not play this fall because of COVID-19, but are expected to have a shortened spring season — after the NWSL obtained a waiver for players picked in the 2021 draft. Players selected will have until Jan. 22 to decide whether to report to their pro club.

“Obviously this has been my dream forever,” she said. “I think right now, with COVID and everything, honestly a lot of people can say it’s not the right time [to go pro], but right now I think it’s a perfect time to get in there and learn and become a better player.”