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.
The time has come. March Madness is here, we now know of the teams that are filling out the NCAA Tournament, and postseason basketball is well underway.
Not only is that the case in the world of college basketball, but that’s also the case across the globe with WNBA players playing in all corners of the world.
As we inch closer to the beginning of training camp in the WNBA, players remain either in the United States or are overseas continuing their offseason play. And in almost every league, the postseason is heating up.
For the Minnesota Lynx, they have 13 Minnesota Lynx players who are under team control currently playing in either the United States or overseas. Those players include Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Dorka Juhász, Diamond Miller, Maïa Hirsch, Jessica Shepard, Marième Badiane, Grace Berger and newcomer Camryn Taylor. Natisha Hiedeman, Alissa Pili and Kiara Leslie are not currently playing.
Let’s look back at the past week with this edition of the Lynx Offseason Update!
Napheesa Collier — Lunar Owls (United States)
Collier has shined all Unrivaled season long, leading the league in scoring and going on to not only earn All-Unrivaled First Team honors but also being named the inaugural Unrivaled MVP.
While earning those accolades, Collier and Lunar Owls took the floor to start the Unrivaled playoffs Sunday, but fell in an upset in the semifinals in a 73-70 loss to Vinyl. In her final game of the season, Collier put on a show and did all she could for Lunar Owls, leading all players in scoring with a 36-point showing.
Season Stats (Regular Season):
- 14 games — 25.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 18.6 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 16 vs. Vinyl (73-70 loss): 36 points (16-24 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 23 minutes
Kayla McBride — Laces (United States)
McBride had an impressive season with Laces in Unrivaled, finishing the regular season second in the league in scoring behind only Napheesa Collier and earning All-Unrivaled First Team honors as a result.
McBuckets and Laces were one of the final four teams left standing in the postseason, falling to Rose in the semifinal matchup Sunday to see their season come to a close. Following an impressive Unrivaled season, McBride now will head overseas to play for Fenerbahçe before WNBA training camp commences.
Season Stats (Regular Season):
- 13 games — 22.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 19.6 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 16 vs. Rose (63-57 loss): 12 points (3-13 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three assists and two rebounds over 21 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 stepped on the court in postseason play, but saw their season come to a close in an upset loss to Vinyl. In the game, Williams reached double figures in scoring while contributing on the boards as well.
Season Stats (Regular Season):
- 14 games — 9.4 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.9 RPG, 0.4 SPG, 9.8 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 16 vs. Vinyl (73-70 loss): 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-3 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and one steal over 13 minutes
Natisha Hiedeman — Rose (United States)
After starting the Unrivaled season with Phantom, then Laces and back to Phantom to round out the regular season, Hiedeman took the floor with her third team of the Unrivaled season when she suited up for Rose in postseason play.
In the semifinals matchup that resulted in Rose advancing to the Unrivaled Championship Game on Monday, Hiedeman didn’t play much at all for Rose, appearing in just one minute off the bench in a scoreless outing.
Season Stats (Regular Season):
- 12 games — 7.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 9.8 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 16 vs. Laces (63-57 win): no points (0-0 FG) over one minute
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 didn’t take part in any contests with ÇBK Mersin, though her squad did beat Bodrum 103-43 on March 7. ÇBK Mersin returns to the court March 18 for the start of the Turkish Cup.
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 and Shandong are took part in the WCBA playoffs, facing Guangdong in the quarterfinals. Following a loss on Sunday, Shandong fell 3-1 in the series and sees their WCBA play conclude.
Season Stats:
- China-WCBA: 36 games — 18.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.2 SPG
Recent Games:
- March 11 vs. Guangdong (83-78 win): 20 points (7-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 13 rebounds, three steals and one assist
- March 13 vs. Guangdong (89-77 loss): No game stats found.
- March 16 vs. Guangdong (92-73 loss): No game stats found.
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.
Juhász and Famila Schio took the court in one contest over the past week, with Juhász putting together her best outing of the season en route to a new season high in scoring in her fourth double-double in Italy-Serie A1 play.
Season Stats:
- Italy-Serie A1: 12 games — 9.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 22.1 MPG
- Euroleague: 9 games — 8.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 26.1 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 16 vs. Sassari (87-65 win): 19 points (9-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks over 35 minutes
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 two games during the Basket Liga playoffs, having a quiet performance in a win in the first game, bouncing back with a 20-point showing in a loss in the second contest. Miller and her Polish squad return to the court March 19 to resume the playoffs.
Season Stats:
- Poland-OBLK: 16 games — 17.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 29.4 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 15 vs. Lublin (81-67 win): nine points (4-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and one block over 35 minutes
- March 16 vs. Lublin (97-88 loss): 21 points (6-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 7-7 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one block over 34 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 didn’t take part in any action despite Fenerbahçe facing — and beating — Besiktas 91-63 on March 9.
Badiane (and soon to be McBride as well) and Fenerbahçe will play in Turkish Cup action on March 18 before starting the Turkey-KBSL Playoffs on March 26.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 11 games — 14.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 29.0 MPG
- Euroleague: 14 games — 5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 17.2 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 14 vs. Kocaeli (98-74 win): 11 points (5-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block over 28 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, though she didn’t appear in any games over the past week. Athinaikos will return to the court in the Greece-A1 playoffs once it learns of its semifinal opponent.
Season Stats:
- Greece-A1: 17 games — 27.6 PPG, 15.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 33.3 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 2 vs. Panathinaikos (95-82 win): 26 points (7-15 FG, 12-18 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 37 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, once again reaching double figures while also lifting her squad with her distribution and defense in a balanced performance.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 22 games — 13.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 36.3 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 14 vs. Botas (84-68 win): 14 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven assists, three rebounds and three steals 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. Recently agreeing to rejoin the team for camp again this year, Taylor has impressed overseas with Esperides in Greece.
Over the past week, Taylor played in one contest with her squad, facing PAOK in Greece-A1 postseason play and nearly tallying a double-double to go along with a strong defensive effort. Taylor and Esperides return to action again against PAOK on March 19 to decide the postseason series.
Season Stats:
- Greece-A1: 20 games — 20.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 BPG, 30.8 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 12 vs. PAOK (78-48 win): 16 points (6-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, four steals and two assists over 27 minutes
- March 16 vs. PAOK (69-64 loss): 15 points (4-16 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-9 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals over 30 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
Currently Not In Action
Alissa Pili — Team Harris (United States)
Pili got back on the court this offseason while taking part in Athletes Unlimited, completing the four-week schedule last week while ending the year appearing in all 12 contests.
Pili rounded out the season with a nice showing, concluding the year with just over 12 points per game and shooting 43.2 percent from the field.
Season Stats:
- 12 games — 12.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 28.1 MPG
Recent Games:
- 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
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.