Each week, we will provide an update on the Minnesota Lynx players overseas and how they are performing as part of our Lynx Offseason Update series.
Just like that, the best basketball month of the year is here with March getting underway and all eyes on the college game as we see what talent might be soon playing in the WNBA.
Let the Madness begin!
As those games get underway and players take the court, Minnesota Lynx and WNBA players continue to play this offseason all over the world while they gear up for the 2025 campaign which will begin in about two months.
For the Lynx, they have 15 Minnesota Lynx players who are under team control playing or have played in either the United States or overseas. Those players include Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alissa Pili, Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Dorka Juhász, Diamond Miller, Maïa Hirsch, Jessica Shepard, Marième Badiane, Grace Berger, Kiara Leslie and newcomer Camryn Taylor.
Let’s dive into this new edition of the Lynx Offseason Update looking back on how the Lynx have performed over the past week!
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Napheesa Collier — Lunar Owls (United States)
Collier has shined through the first three weeks of the Unrivaled season, dominating both offensively and on the glass. Now, about halfway through the season, Collier has led Unrivaled in scoring all year long while sitting as the frontrunner to win league MVP.
Collier and Lunar Owls took the court in one game over the weekend, improving to 10-1 and clinching the top seed in the playoffs. Collier nearly tallied a double-double in that contest despite struggling from three and from the line.
Season Stats:
- 11 games — 25.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 18.3 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 1 vs. Vinyl (78-72 win): 16 points, (8-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 0-3 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 21 minutes
Kayla McBride — Laces (United States)
McBride has been a walking bucket all season long in Unrivaled as she has led the Laces while sitting second among players in scoring behind only Napheesa Collier.
Over the past week, McBride and Laces took the court in two games, with McBride once again finding her shot from deep and reaching double figures in both contests.
Season Stats:
- 10 games — 22.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 19.7 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 24 vs. Mist (65-49 loss): 19 points (8-16 FG, 3-4 3Pt), five rebounds, two steals and one assist over 17 minutes
- Feb. 28 vs. Vinyl (64-63 loss): 12 points (5-18 FG, 2-8 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one steal over 19 minutes
Courtney Williams — Lunar Owls (United States)
As we have seen with the Lynx in the WNBA, Williams has been the spark plug and energy generator for Lunar Owls so far in Unrivaled, distributing the ball well while also being able to help her squad with her shot when needed.
Over the past week, Williams and the Lunar Owls played in one game, clinching the top seed in the postseason as a result. In that lone contest, Williams put forth a well-rounded showing off the Lunar Owls bench.
Season Stats:
- 11 games — 9.4 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.9 RPG, 0.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 9.4 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 1 vs. Vinyl (78-72 win): 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five assists and four rebounds over 10 minutes
Natisha Hiedeman — Laces (United States)
After starting the Unrivaled season with Phantom, Hiedeman shifted squads when she was reassigned to Laces to join Lynx teammate Kayla McBride on one of the top teams in the league at the moment.
Over the past week, Hiedeman and Laces took the court in a pair of contests with the guard putting together a balanced performance in the first contest while having a bit of a quieter performance in the second game.
Season Stats:
- 9 games — 7.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 9.3 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 24 vs. Mist (65-49 loss): 12 points (5-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 17 minutes
- Feb. 28 vs. Vinyl (64-63 loss): four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five rebounds and two assists over seven minutes
Alissa Pili — Team Harris (United States)
Pili has gotten off to a nice start with Athletes Unlimited, playing in three more games over the past week as part of Team Harris.
Pili once again had nice showings in Athletes Unlimited action over the past week, reaching double figures in two of the three contests while connecting on at least one three in all three outings.
Season Stats:
- 12 games — 12.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 28.1 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 27 vs. Team Siegrist (74-70 loss): 13 points (5-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists and one steal over 36 minutes
- March 1 vs. Team Sims (100-97 win): 14 points (6-15 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds and one assist over 35 minutes
- March 2 vs. Team Bradford (84-78 loss): seven points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and one rebound over 23 minutes
Photo credit should read Altan Gocher / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Bridget Carleton — ÇBK Mersin (Turkey)
Now, with Carleton playing with ÇBK Mersin in Turkey after starting the offseason with UNI Györ in Hungary, Carleton has continued to put together a strong offseason thus far.
Over the past week, Carleton took the court in two contests, one Turkey-KBSL battle and one Euroleague outing. In those games, Carleton impressed on both ends over both contests, reaching double figures in both games and securing a double-double in the second outing.
Season Stats:
With ÇBK Mersin:
- Turkey-KBSL: 8 games — 10.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 35.6 MPG
- Euroleague: 6 games — 10.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 32.8 MPG
UNI Györ:
- Hungary-A Division: 5 games — 12.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 31.2 MPG
- Euroleague: 2 games — 15.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 36.0 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 26 vs. Valencia (92-77 win): 12 points (3-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block over 29 minutes
- March 2 vs. Kayseri (74-68 win): 17 points (5-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 13 rebounds, three steals and two assists over 40 minutes.
Alanna Smith — Shandong (China)
Smith has been all over the globe over the course of her WNBA career, currently playing for Shandong in China. During her career, Smith has played in Australia, Poland, and Turkey before landing with her current Chinese squad.
Over the past week, Smith had a bit of a quieter performance than we’ve seen so far this offseason, but still put together a two-way showcase in a blowout win.
Season Stats:
- China-WCBA: 33 games — 18.2 PPG 10.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.2 SPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 28 vs. Hebei (108-66 win): 10 points (4-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three steals and two assists
Dorka Juhász — Famila Schio (Italy)
Juhász is back in Italy again this year, coming off a strong campaign with Famila Schio last offseason and looking to build upon that this season as she prepares for her third WNBA campaign in 2025.
As the offseason progresses, Juhász has continued to play well in Italy-Serie A1 and Euroleague action, taking the court in two outings over the past week. Juhász nearly posted a double-double in both outings, providing a boost to her squad offensively and on the boards.
Season Stats:
- Italy-Serie A1: 10 games — 8.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 20.9 MPG
- Euroleague: 9 games — 8.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 26.1 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 26 vs. Fenerbahçe (64-60 loss): eight points (4-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT) and 10 rebounds over 28 minutes
- March 2 vs. Venezia (67-64 win): 13 points (5-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-6 FT), 11 rebounds, one steal and one block over 32 minutes
Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Diamond Miller — Gorzow Wielkopolski (Poland)
Miller had her season cut short last offseason while dealing with a knee injury, only appearing in three games in Hungary before returning to Minnesota to rehab her injury. This offseason, she has done well in her first full healthy offseason.
Over the past week, Miller took the court in one game, putting together a well-rounded 20-point, 10-rebound double-double while contributing with her distribution.
Season Stats:
- Poland-OBLK: 13 games — 17.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 29.5 MPG
- EuroCup: 4 games — 12.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 31.5 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 1 vs. Wroclaw (67-57 loss): 20 points (7-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and one steal over 39 minutes
Marième Badiane — Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
As she prepares to take a WNBA court for the first time ever this summer, Badiane is playing with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe this offseason, contributing nicely in numerous areas for her squad.
Over the past week, Badiane played in one contest, playing somewhat of a smaller role as Fenerbahçe played Dorka Juhász and Famila Schio.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 10 games — 14.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 29.1 MPG
- Euroleague: 14 games — 5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 17.2 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 26 vs. Famila Schio (64-60 win): six points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two assists and one rebound over 12 minutes
Jessica Shepard — Athinaikos AS Vurona (Greece)
Some may have forgotten about Shepard since she didn’t play in the WNBA in 2024 on a suspended contract while remaining overseas, but the veteran is still under control of the Lynx.
Shepard had continued to shine in Greece while playing with Athinaikos AS Vurona, playing in two games over the week while — shocker — recording a double-double in each contest while posting a 35-point, 23-rebound outing to begin the week.
Season Stats:
- Greece-A1: 16 games — 27.8 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 33.1 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 23 vs. Panserraikos (92-88 win): 35 points (14-19 FG, 7-11 FT), 23 rebounds and four assists over 34 minutes
- Feb. 26 vs. Proteas (101-54 win): 28 points (13-17 FG, 2-4 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 25 minutes
Grace Berger — OGM Ormanspor (Turkey)
Berger, another new member of the Lynx, was claimed off waivers by Minnesota after the former seventh-overall pick was waived by the Indiana Fever earlier this offseason.
While playing with OGM Ormanspor in Turkey, Berger appeared in one game over the past week, reaching double figures while also contributing on the boards and defensively.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 20 games — 13.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 36.2 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 2 vs. Besiktas (67-56 win): 13 points (5-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one block over 40 minutes
Camryn Taylor — Esperides (Greece)
Taylor is a player some Lynx fans might be familiar with, having spent time with Minnesota last training camp. Freshly signed to rejoin the team for camp again this year, Taylor has impressed overseas with Esperides in Greece.
Over the past week, Taylor has played in two contests, putting up impressive numbers in both outings while averaging 37.5 points and eight rebounds a game.
Season Stats:
- Greece-A1: 17 games — 20.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 BPG, 30.8 MPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 23 vs. Panathinaikos (84-64 loss): 41 points (14-23 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 9-11 FT), eight rebounds and two steals over 36 minutes
- March 1 vs. Olympiacos (83-66 loss): 34 points (11-27 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 9-11 FT), eight rebounds and one steal over 37 minutes.
Maïa Hirsch — ESB Villeneuve (France)
Hirsch has yet to appear with the Lynx or in the WNBA after being drafted 12th overall by Minnesota in 2023 but is still under team control as she remains in France with ESB Villeneuve.
So far this offseason, Hirsch hasn’t seen a high level of production in France-BWL action, some of that due to the lack of minutes on the court in France. Over the past week, Hirsch didn’t appear in any action on the court with ESB Villeneuve.
Season Stats:
- France-BWL: 6 games — 3.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.5 BPG, 12.8 MPG
- EuroCup: 2 games — 8.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.5 APG, 19.0 MPG
Recent Games:
- Jan. 5 vs. Landerneau (81-65 win): no points (0-0 FG) and three rebounds over six minutes
Kiara Leslie — Gigantes de Carolina (Puerto Rico)
Leslie is the newest member of the Lynx, signing a training camp contract with Minnesota over the past week. Leslie was originally drafted by the Washington Mystics 10th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, last playing in the WNBA in 2021.
Leslie has played overseas in Egypt, France, Israel, and Russia throughout her career, most recently playing in Puerto Rico for Puerto Rico-BSNF action as part of Gigantes de Carolina. Last playing with the club on Oct. 28, Leslie did a little bit of everything for her Puerto Rican squad over 20 contests.
Season Stats:
- Puerto Rico-BSNF: 20 games — 18.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 35.6 MPG
That will do it for this week. As always, thank you for reading! We will catch up with you next week with another Lynx Offseason Update.