Get ready for an exciting update on the Minnesota Lynx's offseason! 🏀 We're diving into the world of basketball and how it brings us all together, even amidst the chaos of the real world. Over the past week, our Lynx players have been showcasing their skills on courts around the globe, and we're here to give you the inside scoop! 🌍
Currently, 11 out of the 12 Lynx players are hitting the hardwood, with three of them playing right here in the US and the rest taking their talents overseas. Let's take a closer look at where our players are making their mark and how they're performing so far this offseason.
Courtney Williams: A Star in Unrivaled
Williams is back for her second season in Unrivaled, donning the team colors of Vinyl. Despite an inconsistent start offensively, she's been a force to be reckoned with, contributing on both ends of the court. Over the past week, Williams had her best offensive performance yet, showcasing her all-around game in three thrilling contests.
Season Stats:
- Unrivaled: 7 games - 7.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Recent Games:
- Jan. 19 vs. Lunar Owls: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
- Jan. 23 vs. Phantom: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Jan. 25 vs. Mist: 7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Alanna Smith: A New Chapter in the US
For the first time as a pro, Smith is spending her offseason stateside, playing for The Mist. She's been a key contributor, helping her team to a strong start with her offensive prowess and defensive lockdown skills. However, her playing time dipped a bit recently, but she's still making an impact.
Season Stats:
- Unrivaled: 7 games - 5.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 0.3 APG, 0.3 SPG
Recent Games:
- Jan. 19 vs. Breeze: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
- Jan. 23 vs. Rose: 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal
- Jan. 25 vs. Vinyl: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Natisha Hiedeman: Dominating with Hive
Hiedeman, a returning player to Unrivaled, is now part of the Hive, one of the newest teams in the league. Over the past week, she had her best performance yet, dropping double digits against the Laces.
Season Stats:
- Unrivaled: 6 games - 4.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.2 SPG
Recent Games:
- Jan. 24 vs. Laces: 11 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound
Kayla McBride: Back in Turkey with Fenerbahçe
McBride, a beloved Lynx player, has returned to her second home in Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe. She started the season strong, showcasing her two-way talent. However, an unfortunate soft tissue injury has sidelined her recently.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 9 games - 13.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.9 SPG
- EuroLeague: 7 games - 14.6 PPG, 3.7 APG, 30 RPG, 1.7 SPG
Bridget Carleton: Exploring New Horizons in the Czech Republic
Carleton is exploring a new country this offseason, adding the Czech Republic to her impressive list of international basketball destinations. She's been a versatile player, leaving her mark in both the Czech Republic-ZBL and EuroLeague.
Season Stats:
- Czech Republic-ZBL: 9 games - 11.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG
- EuroLeague: 7 games - 12.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Jessica Shepard: Dominating in Italy
Shepard is making waves in Italy this offseason, playing for Famila Schio. She's been a double-double machine, putting up impressive numbers. Over the past week, she had two outstanding double-double performances, including a 30-point game.
Season Stats:
- Italy-Serie A1: 13 games - 17.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG
- EuroLeague: 10 games - 17.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.5 SPG
Maria Kliundikova: Back in Russia with UMMC Ekateringburg
Kliundikova, a midseason addition to the Lynx, is back in her home country of Russia, playing alongside fellow Lynx player Anastasiia Olairi Kosu. She's been a well-rounded player, contributing in various areas of the game.
Season Stats:
- Russia-PBL: 13 games - 11.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Dorka Juhász: New Country, Same Dominance in Turkey
Juhász is spending her WNBA offseason in Turkey, playing for Galatasaray. She's been a force on both ends of the court, putting up balanced stats.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 10 games - 13.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
- EuroLeague: 12 games - 13.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu: Developing in Russia
Kosu is back in Russia this offseason, playing alongside Kliundikova. She's off to a great start, contributing on the boards and defensively.
Season Stats:
- Russia-PBL: 11 games - 11.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 APG, 0.3 BPG
Maia Hirsch: Developing in France
Hirsch, a Lynx draft pick, is continuing her development in France. After an inconsistent offseason last year, she's started strong this time around, contributing offensively and from beyond the arc.
Season Stats:
- Franco-BWL: 12 games - 8.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
- EuroLeague: 8 games - 6.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Camryn Taylor: Making an Impact in France
Taylor, a late addition to the Lynx in 2025, is now playing in France for Landerneau Bretagne Basket. She had a slow start but has picked up the pace recently with two straight double-digit outings.
Season Stats:
- France-BWL: 6 games - 5.2 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.2 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
And this is the part most people miss...
While the above players are already in full swing, one more Lynx player, Jaylyn Sherrod, will be joining the Athletes Unlimited league here in the US. Sherrod will be one of the 40 players competing in the fast-paced, full-court action, starting early February in Nashville.
Stay tuned for more Lynx Offseason Updates! We'll keep you in the loop with all the latest news and performances. Until then, keep cheering for our Lynx players, no matter where they are in the world!
