Welcome to a new week and a new Lynx Offseason Update!
As we inch closer to what we hope will be a normal WNBA season, the offseason has continued — and already ended for a few — for Minnesota Lynx players worldwide. And this past week included a new kind of action for a few players with the World Cup Qualifying Tournament underway in Istanbul.
This offseason, there are 12 Lynx players playing across the globe, those players being Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Kayla McBride, Bridget
Carlton, Jessica Shepard, Maia Hirsch, Dorka Juhász, Maria Kliundikova, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, Camryn Taylor and Jaylyn Sherrod. Napheesa Collier, who was supposed to take part in Unrivaled, will miss the season due to having surgery on both ankles and missing a total of 4-6 months in recovery.
Let’s take a look at where those Lynx players are playing, how they’ve done as of late, how they are performing so far this offseason or how they finished their offseason.
Alanna Smith — Mist (Unrivaled), Australia (World Cup Qualfying)
Smith began her offseason playing in Unrivaled, where she helped the Mist take home the Unrivaled championship. Now with that season over, she is now returning to represent her home country of Australia in World Cup Qualifying action in Istanbul.
In Qualifying play, Smith got off to a bit of a slower start offensively but rebounded nicely over the next three games and also impacted both ends of the floor in each contest.
Season Stats:
- World Cup Qualifying: 4 games — 11,5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG
- Unrivaled: 14 games — 9.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.5 SPG
Recent Games:
- March 11 vs. Argentina (91-65 win): four points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over 21 minutes
- March 12 vs. Japan (81-71 win): 12 points (5-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt), nine rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes
- March 14 vs. Hungary (71-58 win): 12 points (4-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds and three steals over 22 minutes
- March 15 vs. Turkey (77-74 win): 18 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and 10 rebounds over 32 minutes
Kayla McBride — Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
McBride is back at her second home in Turkey while returning to play for Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe. Though some expected her to return to play in Unrivaled this offseason, McBride chose to start the offseason overseas with a team that is special to her.
McBride began her season overseas strong, providing a two-way showing for the Turkish powerhouse. Over the past week, McBride and Fenerbahçe didn’t take part in any games.
Season Stats:
- Turkey-KBSL: 16 games — 13.0 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 SPG
- EuroLeague: 10 games — 14.1 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.7 SPG
Recent Games:
- March 2 vs. Kayseri (113-42 win): 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three assists and two rebounds over 15 minutes
- March 3 vs. Kayseri (95-59 win): seven points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three assists and one rebound over 13 minutes
Bridget Carleton — USK Praha (Czech Republic), Canada (World Cup Qualifying)
Carleton has spent her offseason with USK Praha in the Czech Republic this offseason, but she is currently representing her home country of Canada during the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul.
Carleton kicked off World Cup action in strong fashion, surpassing the 20-point mark in the first contest and contributing nicely both offensively and one the boards in all four games thus far.
Season Stats:
- World Cup Qualifying: 4 games — 12.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.5 SPG
- Czech Republic-ZBL: 13 games — 12.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
- EuroLeague: 11 games — 12.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Recent Games:
- March 11 vs. Turkey (71-69 loss): 24 points (7-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 36 minutes
- March 12 vs. Hungary (75-53 win): 12 points (5-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist over 27 minutes
- March 14 vs. Argentina (75-41 win): five points (2-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 24 minutes
- March 15 vs. Japan (66-62 loss): nine points (3-19 FG, 1-10 3Pt), eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks over 36 minutes
Jessica Shepard — Famila Schio (Italy)
Shepard is in a new country this offseason after spending last offseason in Greece, taking the court with Italian power Famila Schio. She has played in Greece, Israel and Italy so far in her career.
Shepard has put up some impressive numbers in Italy this offseason, once again being a double-double machine like we’ve been accustomed to seeing. Over the past week, Shepard had a near and Famila Schio didn’t take part in any games.
Season Stats:
- Italy-Serie A1: 18 games — 17.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG
- EuroLeague: 15 games — 17.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG
Recent Games:
- Feb. 28 vs. San Giovanni (79-54 win): nine points (4-8 FG), 15 rebounds and four assists over 29 minutes
- March 3 vs. Venezia (62-51 loss): 16 points (8-13 FG), 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals over 37 minutes
Maria Kliundikova — UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)
Kliundiokva, who was a midseason arrival for Minnesota and ended up with a nice role off the bench for the Lynx, is back in her home country of Russia this offseason playing for UMMC Ekateringburg alongside soon-to-be second-year Lynx forward Anastasiia Olairi Kosu.
Kliundikova has put together a balanced offseason so far, helping her squad offensively and on the boards while also impacting other areas of the game. Over the past week, Kliundikova and UMMC Ekateringburg didn’t take part in any games.
Season Stats:
- Russia-PBL: 21 games — 12.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Recent Games:
- March 4 vs. Dynamo Kursk (66-55 win): 12 points (5-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal over 19 minutes
Dorka Juhász — Galatasaray (Turkey), Hungary (World Cup Qualifying)
Juhász has spent her WNBA offseason playing for Galatasaray in Turkey, but she has taken a break from that to represent her home country of Hungary in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul.
Juhász opened up World Cup Qualifying play with a bang, dropping a 34-point near double-double showing followed by another near double-double performance. Juhász cooled off a bit due to struggles shooting from the field, but rounded out the week strong with a double-double.
Season Stats:
- World Cup Qualifying: 4 games — 16.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.0 APG, 0.5 SPG
- Turkey-KBSL: 14 games — 11.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
- EuroLeague: 17 games — 13.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Recent Games:
- March 11 vs. Japan (77-65 win): 34 points (15-22 FG, 1-4 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block over 26 minutes
- March 12 vs. Canada (75-53 loss): 13 points (4-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt), nine rebounds, one assist and one block over 25 minutes
- March 14 vs. Australia (71-58 loss): 1 point (0-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 20 minutes
- March 15 vs. Argentina (92-81 win): 17 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal over 32 minutes
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu — UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)
Kosu is back home in Russia this offseason, playing with fellow Lynx teammate Maria Kliundikova with UMMC Ekateringburg.
Kosu, who Minnesota is hoping continues to develop leading into her second WNBA campaign, has gotten off to a nice start in Russia this offseason. Over the past week, Kosu and UMMC Ekateringburg didn’t take part in any games.
Season Stats:
- Russia-PBL: 18 games — 10.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 BPG
Recent Games:
- March 4 vs. Dynamo Kursk (66-55 win): 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block over 23 minutes
Maia Hirsch — Charleville-Mezieres (France)
We have yet to see Hirsch in the WNBA after being drafted by the Lynx in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Draft, but she continues to play in France this offseason as she continues to develop.
After an up-and-down offseason last year, Hirsch is off to a nice start to this offseason with some additional time on the floor as well. Over the past week, Hirsch and Charleville-Mezieres didn’t take part in any action.
Season Stats:
- Franco-BWL: 17 games — 7.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.2 SPG
- EuroLeague: 10 games — 5.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Recent Games:
- March 7 vs. Basket Landes (68-59 loss): no points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two assists over six minutes
Camryn Taylor — Landerneau (France)
Taylor, who joined the Lynx late in the 2025 WNBA season and was part of the playoff run, has moved from Greece last offseason to France and Landerneau Bretagne Basket this year.
Taylor had a slow start to the offseason schedule, but has picked things up as of late with two straight double-digit outings. Over the past week, Taylor and Landerneau didn’t take part in any games.
Season Stats:
- France-BWL: 9 games — 5.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.2 SPG, 0.1 APG, 0.1 BPG
Recent Games:
- March 7 vs. Monpellier (65-59 win): four points (2-2 FG) and three rebounds over eight minutes
Currently Not in Action
Courtney Williams — Breeze (Unrivaled)
Williams returned to Unrivaled for the second season after being one of the first 32 players to make up the inaugural season a year ago. After spending last season with the Lunar Owls, Williams began the 2026 season with Vinyl before she was traded to Breeze.
This season, Williams did a nice job in distributing and contributing on the boards despite having a bit of an up-and-down start to the year offensively. She took part in 14 games, contributing in numerous areas of the game.
Season Stats:
- Unrivaled: 14 games — 7.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Natisha Hiedeman — Hive (Unrivaled)
Hiedeman returned to Unrivaled for the second straight season after bouncing around to three different teams — Phantom, Laces and Rose — during the inaugural season. Hiedeman concluded the year with Rose and helped them to an Unrivaled Championship.
With Hive, one of the two newest teams to Unrivaled in 2026, Hiedeman contributed coming off the bench and took part in 12 games with Hive.
Season Stats:
- Unrivaled: 12 games — 6.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Jaylyn Sherrod — Rhythm (Athletes Unlimited)
Sherrod spent her offseason staying in the country this offseason, taking part in Athletes Unlimited’s fifth season, which began earlier this February and concluded after four weeks in Nashville.
Sherrod was one of 40 players participating in the fast-paced, full-court, 5-on-5 league this season, finishing just under double figures in scoring on the season.
Season Stats:
- Athletes Unlimited: 12 games — 9.2 PPG, 2.8 APG, 2.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG
That will do it for this week. As always, thank you for reading! We will catch up with you next week with another Lynx Offseason Update.
