WNBA Overseas Report: January 23


Overseas leagues are starting to enter the postseason phase, which means we’re drawing closer and closer to the start of the 2017 WNBA season. But for now, let’s check back in with some WNBA players who are putting in work during their “offseason” in this edition of WNBA Overseas Report.

Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

The 2016 Rookie of the Year was playing over in China with the Shanghai Baoshan Dahua, and putting together an impressive campaign, averaging 31.4 points (3rd in the league), 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals (5th in the league), and 1.6 blocks (1st in the league) per game, when she suffered a sprain to the PCL in her right knee. The Storm forward is now back in the States, where she is undergoing treatment, with the hope of returning to China for the CBA playoffs.

Tamera Young, Chicago Sky

After arguably the strongest season of her WNBA career, in which she averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a night for the Chicago Sky, Tamera Young joined the Shanxi Flames late in the CBA season. The moved proved to be a wise one by Shanxi, as Young averaged 21 points and 9.5 rebounds to help the team to a shocking 2-0 sweep in their round of 16 series against heavily-favored Heilongjiang.

Rebecca Allen, New York Liberty

Moving to Europe now, we’ll check in with the New York Liberty’s Rebecca Allen, who had herself quite a week. The Australian forward has been playing in Slovakia this winter with Good Angels Kosice, and on Thursday, the team played the first leg of their EuroCup Round of 16 matchup against Flammes Carolo Basket from France. Allen poured in 27 points on 5-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc, and pulled down seven rebounds on the way to a 83-64 victory over the previously undefeated French side. For her performance, Allen was named one of the Top Performers for Week 1 of the Round of 16.

Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago sky and Essence Carson, Los Angeles Sparks

Vandersloot and Carson were opponents this summer as the Sky met the Sparks in the semifinals of the WNBA Playoffs, but in Turkey the two are teammates for Yakin Dogu BGD. And like Rebecca Allen, the two found themselves named among the Top Performers for Week 1 of EuroCup’s Round of 16. Vandersloot went for 18 points and eight assists, while Carson scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds in the Turkish side’s victory over Germany’s Gruner Stern Keltern–a team which featured Connecticut Sun point guard Jasmine Thomas.

Chelsea Gray, Jelena Dubljevic, Ann Wauters, Los Angeles Sparks

Apparently these three enjoyed winning a championship together with the Sparks this summer so much they decided to try and to it again in Turkey. The three reigning WNBA champions are suiting up for Bellona AGU, who last week took on Cavigal Nice Basket from France in the Round of 16 of EuroCup. Thanks to a near triple-double from Gray, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, Bellona came away with an easy 78-50 victory. Dubljevic added 10 points, while Wauters chipped in seven points and nine rebounds. (New York Liberty guard Tanisha Wright also plays for Bellona, and scored 10 points and dished out eight assists in the victory.)