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.
April is finally here, and that not only means the NCAA Tournament is behind us and the WNBA Draft is about a week away, but it also means that the WNBA season is nearly upon us.
When the draft is over on April 14, players will start to return to team markets ahead of training camps getting underway at the end of the month. That’s right, we are nearly to training camp, postseason and eventually opening night in the WNBA on May 16.
Before we can get to that point, overseas action is inching closer to an end for Minnesota Lynx and WNBA players worldwide. For the Lynx, they have a few players still taking the court overseas in postseason action.
Let’s look back at the past week with this edition of the Lynx Offseason Update!
Kayla McBride — Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
McBride had an impressive season with Laces in Unrivaled, finishing the regular season second in the league in scoring behind only Napheesa Collier, earning All-Unrivaled First Team honors before losing in the semifinal round of the playoffs. Following an impressive Unrivaled season, McBride is now playing overseas in Europe with Fenerbahçe before WNBA training camp commences.
Over the past week, McBride and her Turkish club continued the Turkey-KBSL playoffs, sweeping the semifinals round to advance to play Bridget Carleton and ÇBK Mersin in the championship round. In the two games in the semifinals, McBride was hot from deep while surpassing the 20-point as the team’s leading scorer in each contest.
Season Stats (Regular Season):
With Fenerbahçe:
- 4 games — 19.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 28.3 MPG
Unrivaled:
- 13 games — 22.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 19.6 MPG
Recent Games:
- April 1 vs. Basiktas (91-42 win): 21 points (8-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 25 minutes
- April 3 vs. Basiktas (77-73 win): 22 points (7-15 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six assists, four rebounds and one steal over 37 minutes
Bridget Carleton — ÇBK Mersin (Turkey)
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 and helped lead her team to a trophy over the past week.
This past week, Carleton and ÇBK Mersin began the Turkey-KBSL semifinals, sweeping the series 2-0 to advance to take on Kayla McBride, Marieme Badiane and Fenerbahçe in the championship round. In the two semifinals contests, Carleton started the series off with a nice outing in Game 1, but turned things up a notch in Game 2 with a 25-point showcase.
Season Stats:
With ÇBK Mersin:
- Turkey-KBSL: 13 games — 14.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 36.0 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:
- April 2 vs. Galatasaray (83-78 win): 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and one block over 38 minutes
- April 4 vs. Galatasaray (74-61 win): 25 points (10-14 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, three steals and one assist over 33 minutes
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 finished up Italy Serie-A1 action over the past week and began the Serie-A1 playoffs, with Juhász nearly tallying a double-double in one postseason contest over the past week.
Juhász and Famila Schio return to action in the Serie-A1 playoffs while advancing to the semifinal round. The Italian squad will also take part in the Euroleague playoffs starting April 9.
Season Stats:
- Italy-Serie A1: 16 games — 9.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.5 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:
- April 2 vs. Battipaglia (78-49 win): 14 points (7-13 FG), nine rebounds and one steal over 17 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, Gorzow played in three games, all of which were in the Basket Liga playoffs. However, Miller didn’t appear in any of those contests, with her status unknown at this time as far as if she is injured or not. Miller hasn’t appeared for Gorzow in the last four postseason contests.
Season Stats:
- Poland-OBLK: 21 games — 17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 29.3 MPG
- EuroCup: 4 games — 12.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 31.5 MPG
Recent Games:
- April 2 vs. Sleza Wroclaw (78-75 win): DNP
- April 5 vs. VBW Gdynia (91-80 loss): DNP
- April 6 vs. VBW Gdynia (84-57 loss): DNP
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 took the court in one of Fenerbahçe’s two postseason games, putting together a balanced showing in her lone appearance in the Turkey-KBSL semifinals. Fenerbahçe now advances to play Bridget Carleton and ÇBK Mersin in the championship round.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 12 games — 14.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 29.5 MPG
- Euroleague: 14 games — 5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 17.2 MPG
Recent Games:
- April 1 vs. Basiktas (91-42 win): DNP
- April 3 vs. Basiktas (77-73 win): 12 points (5-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists over 35 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 and Athinaikos AS Vurona continued on in the Greece-A1 playoffs over the past week, taking the court in two games in the championship round against Olympiacos. With the series beginning with a 1-1 split, the winner will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 3. In the first two games of the series, Shepard once again recorded a pair of double-doubles to continue her impressive season.
Season Stats:
- Greece-A1: 21 games — 27.4 PPG, 15.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 34.2 MPG
Recent Games:
- April 2 vs. Olympiacos (79-73 win): 27 points (10-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 33 minutes
- April 6 vs. Olympiacos (75-63 loss): 19 points (6-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal 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. 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 Iraklis in the Greece-A1 Relegation Playoffs, coming away with a win in a winner-take-all championship round. In that contest, Taylor led her squad offensively with a near 20-point performance.
Season Stats:
- Greece-A1: 24 games — 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.8 APG, 0.4 BPG, 31.5 MPG
Recent Games:
- April 6 vs. Iraklis (60-40 win): 19 points (7-18 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds and two steals over 34 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.
ESB Villeneuve held two postseason games over the past week, coming away victorious in the EuroCup playoffs on April 2 and falling in the France-BWL playoffs on April 6. Hirsch didn’t appear in either of those games.
Season Stats:
- France-BWL: 8 games — 2.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.4 BPG, 11.1 MPG
- EuroCup: 2 games — 8.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.5 APG, 19.0 MPG
Recent Games:
- March 30 vs. Chartres (87-54 win): two points (1-2 FG), five rebounds and one assist over nine minutes
Currently Not In Action
Napheesa Collier — Lunar Owls (United States)
Collier 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 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
Courtney Williams — Lunar Owls (United States)
As we have seen with the Lynx in the WNBA, Williams was the spark plug and energy generator for Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, distributing the ball well while also being able to help her squad with her shot when needed.
Williams and the Lunar Owls, the best team in the regular season, 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.
Even though she didn’t play long with Rose, Hiedeman was the lone Lynx player to appear in the championship game and ended up coming away with an Unrivaled championship. In that championship contest, Hiedeman didn’t appear off the bench.
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 18 vs. Vinyl (62-54 loss): DNP
Alanna Smith — Shandong (China)
Smith absolutely dominated in China over the offseason, leading the way on a game-by-game basis while averaging a double-double with her Chinese squad.
Over the past week, Smith and Shandong have taken 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: 37 games — 18.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 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): 23 points (10-13 FG, 3-4 FT), six steals, three rebounds and one rebound
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
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.
Berger had a nice season with OGM Ormanspor in Turkey, boosting her squad in nearly every aspect of the game. OMG Ormanspor wasn’t able to crack into the postseason bracket, finishing in ninth place in the Turkey-KBSL standings and missing out on the top eight spots.
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
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.