Get ready for an exciting journey as we dive into the world of the Minnesota Lynx and their offseason updates!
Unrivaled Dominance and International Adventures
In a world where sports unite us, the Lynx players are spreading their wings across the globe, showcasing their talents and keeping us entertained. Amidst the chaos of the real world, let's take a break and celebrate the unity that sports bring.
Currently, 11 out of the 12 Lynx players are showcasing their skills on the hardwood, with three of them gracing the courts in the United States and the rest taking their talents overseas. Unfortunately, Napheesa Collier, who was set to join Unrivaled, will miss the season due to ankle surgery, requiring a 4-6 month recovery period.
Let's explore where these incredible athletes are making their mark and how they're performing so far this offseason.
Courtney Williams: The Vinyl Star
Williams, a seasoned Unrivaled veteran, is back for her second season, this time suiting up for Team Vinyl. Despite an inconsistent start offensively, Williams has been a key contributor, especially in distributing and grabbing rebounds. Over the past week, she had her best offensive performance of the season, showcasing her all-around skills 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: Mist's Defensive Anchor
For the first time, Smith is spending her offseason in the United States, and she's making her presence felt on The Mist. She's been a key contributor, especially on offense and the boards, and her defensive prowess has been a game-changer. However, her playing time and production dipped slightly over the past week, but she continues to be a valuable asset to her team.
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: Hive's Rising Star
Hiedeman, a two-time Unrivaled veteran, is back with a bang, this time representing Hive, one of the newest teams in Unrivaled. Over the past week, she put up her best performance of the season, 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: Fenerbahçe's Two-Way Threat
McBride, a beloved Turkish powerhouse, is back in her second home, and she's making waves. She started the season strong, showcasing her two-way prowess. However, a recent soft tissue injury has sidelined her, but we're glad to hear it's not as severe as initially reported.
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: USK Praha's Versatile Talent
Carleton, a true globetrotter, is adding another country to her impressive list, bringing her total to seven! She's been a force to be reckoned with in Czech Republic-ZBL and EuroLeague, leaving her mark in various aspects of the game. Over the past week, she displayed solid two-way play, including a handful of steals and double-digit scoring.
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: Famila Schio's Double-Double Machine
Shepard, a new addition to Italy, is making a huge impact. She's been putting up impressive numbers, continuing her double-double streak. Over the past week, she had two incredible double-double performances, including a 30-point masterpiece.
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: UMMC Yekateringburg's Balanced Performer
Kliundikova, a midseason Lynx addition, is back in her home country, Russia, playing alongside fellow Lynx teammate Anastasiia Olairi Kosu. She's been a well-rounded contributor, helping her squad offensively and on the boards, while also making an impact in other 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: Galatasaray's Balanced Act
Juhász, a new addition to the Turkish league, is making her mark. She's been a force on both ends of the floor, putting up balanced performances. Over the past week, she recorded a season-high in steals, despite not reaching double digits in scoring.
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: UMMC Yekateringburg's Developing Star
Kosu, a rising Lynx forward, is back in Russia, playing alongside Kliundikova. She's off to a great start, especially on the boards and defensively. Over the past week, she recorded a season-high in rebounds and added three steals to her tally.
Season Stats:
- Russia-PBL: 11 games - 11.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 APG, 0.3 BPG
Maia Hirsch: Charleville-Mezieres' Rising Talent
Hirsch, a Lynx draft pick yet to make her WNBA debut, is continuing her development in France. After an inconsistent offseason last year, she's off to a strong start this time around. Over the past week, she found success from beyond the arc and contributed nicely on offense and the boards.
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: Landerneau's Double-Digit Threat
Taylor, a late addition to the Lynx in 2025, is now in France with Landerneau Bretagne Basket. She had a slow start but has picked up the pace, with two straight double-digit outings. However, she hasn't appeared in any games since November 29.
Season Stats:
- France-BWL: 6 games - 5.2 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.2 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Jaylyn Sherrod: Athletes Unlimited's Upcoming Star
While most of her teammates are already in action, Sherrod will be joining Athletes Unlimited's fifth season in early February. She'll be one of 40 players competing in this fast-paced, full-court league, and we can't wait to see her in action!
Stay tuned for more Lynx Offseason Updates! We'll be back next week with more exciting news and insights.
