WNBA star Olivia Nelson-Ododa demands gun reform after deadly Georgia school shooting leaves her hometown shaken

Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa found herself in a position no human should ever be in. While on FaceTime with her former high school coach on Wednesday, the 2022 First-team All-Big East player watched on in horror as her former coach was forced to barricade herself in a classroom.

Just eight miles away at Apalachee High School, a 14-year-old was involved in a school shooting that left four people — two students and two teachers — dead and nearly a dozen more wounded. The moment hit home for Nelson-Ododa given that she grew up in the area.

As a result, Olivia Nelson-Ododa has been speaking out in the days following the tragedy both in interviews and on social media. As she explained, growing up, the area was considered safe, with residents feeling as though they could leave their doors unlocked and go anywhere.

Now, after the community was rocked by senseless violence, Olivia Nelson-Ododa is eager to spark change. In an interview with CT Insider, the Sun forward called for change:

"We're all allowed to have our Second Amendment right, and I fully support that, but to be able to have assault weapons readily available for children, 14 year olds, like it’s insane.

“It shouldn't be allowed to happen. And especially with these school shootings, the type of guns being used are precisely those. And so there definitely needs to be some type of change, some type of legislation, or some type of push just for those things to change."'

Olivia Nelson-Ododa makes powerful statement with “wear orange” shirt honoring hometown after Georgia school shooting

In addition to speaking out, Olivia Nelson-Ododa also took to social media to react to the Georgia school shooting. On Wednesday, she reacted to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a follow-up, she explained she couldn't imagine something like this would happen in her hometown of Winder. Despite her shock, Nelson-Ododa wasted no time in using her platform in an attempt to spark change.

On Friday night, when she and the Connecticut Sun took on the Las Vegas Aces, Nelson-Ododa sent a clear message to the world with her choice of pregame fit. During her tunnel arrival, Nelson-Ododa was seen rocking the WNBA "wear orange" T-shirt.

The shirt was designed and released by the WNBPA with the goal of raising awareness for gun violence. The shirt was released in collaboration with Everytown, a group described as a movement of people from all backgrounds working to end gun violence.

In addition to Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the Washington Mystics had previously held a 'Mystics Wear Orange' night over the summer with the goal of raising awareness around gun violence.