Get ready for a thrilling journey as we dive into the Minnesota Lynx's offseason adventures!
Hoopin' Around the Holidays: Lynx Players Take on the World
As we bid farewell to 2025 and embrace the holiday cheer, the Lynx players are spreading their wings across the globe, showcasing their talents on international courts. Let's explore where these athletic stars are making their mark and how they're dominating the basketball scene.
Kayla McBride: The Turkish Sensation
McBride, a true basketball nomad, has returned to her beloved Turkey, donning the Fenerbahçe jersey once more. Despite some speculations about her Unrivaled plans, McBride chose to kick off her offseason with a team that holds a special place in her heart. Over the past week, she's been on fire, not only nailing those deep shots but also showcasing her defensive prowess and leaving an impact in every aspect of the game. Her stats speak for themselves:
Turkey-KBSL: 6 games, 15.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.5 SPG
EuroLeague: 6 games, 15.8 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.8 SPG
Recent highlights include a 14-point performance with 6 assists and 4 rebounds against Zaragoza, and a well-rounded game against Nesibe with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Bridget Carleton: Exploring New Horizons
Carleton is taking her talents to the Czech Republic this offseason, adding another country to her impressive list, which already includes Australia, Spain, Franco, Hungary, Israel, and Turkey. While her stats might not reflect her usual dominance, Carleton has been making an impact in other areas, showcasing her versatility on the court.
Czech Republic-ZBL: 5 games, 10.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 SPG
EuroLeague: 5 games, 10.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Jessica Shepard: Italian Adventure
Shepard is exploring a new country this offseason, Italy, after spending last year in Greece. Her career has taken her to Greece, Israel, and now Italy, and she's making a splash with her impressive numbers.
Italy-Serie A1: 9 games, 17.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 SPG
EuroLeague: 8 games, 15.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.3 SPG
Recent games have seen Shepard dominate, including a 26-point, 17-rebound performance against Roseto.
Maria Kliundikova and Anastasiia Olairi Kosu: Back Home in Russia
Kliundikova, who joined the Lynx mid-season and became a valuable bench player, is back in Russia, playing for UMMC Yekateringburg alongside her Lynx teammate, Kosu. Over the past week, Kliundikova has been on a roll, reaching double figures in both games and even grabbing her third double-double of the offseason.
Russia-PBL: 11 games, 12.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Dorka Juhász: New Country, Same Dominance
Juhász is spending her WNBA offseason in Turkey, a change from her usual Italy stint. Despite sitting out the 2025 WNBA campaign, she's still under contract with Minnesota through 2026. Juhász has been a force to be reckoned with, making an impact on both ends of the court in Turkey-KBSL and EuroLeague.
Turkey-KBSL: 7 games, 12.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG
EuroLeague: 10 games, 12.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Maia Hirsch and Camryn Taylor: Developing Overseas
Hirsch, a Lynx draft pick yet to make her WNBA debut, continues to develop her skills in France. After an inconsistent offseason last year, she's off to a strong start this time around. Taylor, who joined the Lynx late in the 2025 season, has made the move from Greece to France and is showing improvement with two straight double-digit outings.
Unrivaled: The Lynx Quartet
While some Lynx players are exploring international leagues, four others will remain in the country to participate in the second season of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league expanding to eight teams in 2026. Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, and Alanna Smith will represent the Lynx, with former Lynx General Manager Clare Duwelius still at the helm as Unrivaled's General Manager and Executive Vice President.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will tip off in Florida on January 5th, and we can't wait to see how these Lynx players fare in this unique competition.
Stay tuned for more Lynx Offseason Updates! We'll keep you in the loop as these athletes continue to make their mark on the global basketball stage.
