WNBA Overseas Report (Week of 12/9)
Although the WNBA is currently in the offseason, basketball continues for members of the league who take their talents overseas.
Check back weekly as we update you with the top performances from across the pond.
Alyssa Thomas
Team: ZVVZ USK Praha (Czech Republic)
League: EuroLeague Women
Stats (12/11): 26 PTS | 18 REB | 4 STL | 3 AST
After helping the Connecticut Sun reach the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2005, Alyssa Thomas continued the momentum from a spectacular 2019 WNBA season to Europe.
Thomas did it all for ZVVZ USK Praha in a 102-62 regular season Group A victory against Castors Braine, posting an impressive 26-point, 18-rebound double-double while adding four steals and three assists. As a result of her stellar play, Thomas earned Top Performer honors and the Fans’ MVP of Week 7 EuroLeague action.
Just another day at the office for @athomas_25…
? 26 PTS | 18 REB | 4 STL | 45 EFF @ZVVZUSKPRAHA @ConnecticutSun #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/4loGlPENOd
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) December 11, 2019
Through seven games, USK Praha sits at 6-1 and Thomas is averaging 19.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 4 SPG, and 3.7 APG. She’s currently second in the league in PPG and first in RPG and SPG. If she continues at this pace, there’s a good chance that Thomas can finish the season leading the league in a variety of statistical categories.
Emma Meesseman
Team: UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)
League: EuroLeague Women
Stats (12/11): 28 PTS | 5 REB | 3 AST
After helping the Washington Mystics secure their first title in franchise history and becoming the first reserve player to win Finals MVP, Emma Meesseman went overseas to play for the defending EuroLeague Champions, UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia.
In her most recent game, Meesseman erupted for 28 points and shot above 90% (11/12 FGM) from the field. She also tacked on five rebounds and three assists to help UMMC Ekaterinburg defeat Gelecek Koleji Cukurova 112-56 in regular season Group A play.
She missed only one shot ! @EmmaMeesseman controls the game today?.
? 28 PTS (11-12 FG) | 5 REB | 36 EFF@BasketballUMMC @WashMystics #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/jYp9orGgFQ
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) December 11, 2019
On a team that has a plethora of WNBA talent like Brittney Griner, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, and Maria Vadeeva, Meesseman has been a focal part of the lineup, averaging 15.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG.
Courtney Vandersloot
Team: UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)
League: EuroLeague Women
Stats (12/11): 15 PTS | 11 AST | 3 REB
During the 2019 WNBA season, Courtney Vandersloot averaged a career-high 9.1 APG and broke her own league record for most assists in a single season with 300. Overseas, Vandersloot is doing more of the same.
In UMMC Ekaterinburg’s 112-56 win against Gelecek Koleji Cukurova, Vandersloot racked up a double-double with 15 points (season-high) and 11 assists.
You can watch @Sloot22 balling all day ?
? 15 PTS | 11 DIMES #EuroLeagueWomen @BasketballUmmc @WNBA @wnbachicagosky pic.twitter.com/V3iFlxkMBE
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) December 13, 2019
On the season, Vandersloot is averaging 6.7 PPG and a league-high 8.3 APG. At this pace, it appears that Vandersloot will lead the EuroLeague in APG and total assists, the same feat she accomplished in 2018 and 2019 in the WNBA.
Glory Johnson
Team: Dynamo Kursk (Russia)
League: EuroLeague Women
Stats (12/11): 28 PTS | 15 REB | 4 STL
The seven-year WNBA veteran of the Dallas Wings is enjoying a productive season with the Russian club Dynamo Kursk. In her most recent game, Glory Johnson poured in 28 points and 15 rebounds to lead Dynamo Kursk to a 92-86 overtime victory against Arka Gdynia in a regular season Group B matchup.
Dynamo Kursk SURVIVE! @MISSVOL25's 28 points and 15 rebounds helps @KurskBasket grab the OT win (92-86) ?! @DallasWings #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/KpeCMROtjs
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) December 11, 2019
Johnson is averaging a double-double on the season (15 PPG, 11.5 RPG) and has established herself as a top player in the EuroLeague Women.
Maria Vadeeva
Team: UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)
League: EuroLeague Women
Stats (12/11): 19 PTS | 9 REB | 3 STL
After enjoying a breakout sophomore season with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2019, Maria Vadeeva continues to impress abroad.
In UMMC Ekaterinburg’s last victory, Vadeeva finished with 19 points (8/12 FGM) and nine rebounds. This season in the EuroLeague, the 21-year-old has averaged 18 PPG and 8 RPG. On a team filled with accomplished WNBA veterans, Vadeeva’s breakout season bodes well for the Sparks and her development moving forward.
*PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FIBA BASKETBALL*