Ten Talents Thriving Outside the WNBA » Winsidr

The WNBA has seen unprecedented growth over the last five years, and alongside that growth has been the development of basketball overseas. There is a strong mix of international talent and rising American stars developing overseas, showcasing former college standouts and players who took alternative paths outside the NCAA. None of the ten athletes highlighted below have played in a WNBA game, but they have had remarkable seasons across EuroLeague, EuroCup, and top international leagues, leaving a significant mark on their clubs and the competitions they’ve played in.

1. Cornelia Fondren – United States – Faenza Basket Project, Italy

Born in Memphis, 32-year-old Cornelia Fondren had the best season of her professional career playing for Faenza Basket Project in Italy’s First League. A 2016 graduate of Syracuse University, Fondren emerged as one of the league’s most impactful all-around guards. She finished the season ranked fifth in scoring with 15.2 points per game (PPG), sixth in rebounding with 8.3 boards per game (RPG), second in assists with 4.8 per game (APG), and led the league in both steals per game (SPG) (2.9) and drawn fouls (6.1).

Her individual accolades only tell part of the story. Fondren recorded five triple-doubles, six 20+ point performances, and three games with a final efficiency rating over 40. Beyond those eye-popping box scores, she was the engine that drove Faenza to its first playoff appearance since the club’s founding in 2015. In Coach Seletti’s equal-opportunity offense, Fondren thrived, capitalizing on every opening, elevating her teammates, and consistently making winning plays.

What’s perhaps most remarkable is the context: this was a team projected to finish in the last positions in the international league. Instead, they secured a seventh-place finish, largely due to Fondren’s quiet, steady leadership, as well as the example she set every time she stepped on the court. A left-handed guard with a high basketball IQ, she accepted the challenge of leading a young, hungry team with nothing to lose.

2. Zala Friškovec – Slovenia – Sopron Basket, Hungary

The Slovenian sharpshooter has long been one of her country’s brightest talents. As a youth, she led Slovenia in scoring at every age level during FIBA European Championships, averaging 15.4 PPG in 2017 and 19.7 PPG in 2018. She has since grown into a key member of the senior national team, and her breakout performance came during the most recent EuroBasket, when she averaged 15.7 PPG and 6.3 RPG.

Over the past two seasons, Friškovec has made her mark at the club level as well. During the 2022-2023 season, she played in EuroLeague with Polkowice, averaging 11.1 PPG. This season, she played with Sopron in EuroCup, where she averaged 12.5 PPG while shooting a blistering 45.6 percent from three-point range and 60 percent from inside the arc. Standing 5’11”, she has evolved into a versatile all-around guard who excels off the ball and is deadly in pick-and-roll situations.

Friškovec has developed into a dynamic offensive threat, surprising defenders with her quick feet and shooting precision, whether curling off screens, pulling up from midrange, or attacking the rim. She has also emerged as a strong secondary playmaker, particularly for the national team, where she has proven effective in creating opportunities for teammates like Eva Lisec, Jessica Shepard and Ajša Sivka. Her growing leadership role and offensive versatility make her one of the most exciting guards to watch in Europe.

3. Robbi Ryan – United States – Ślęza Wrocław, Poland

Currently starring for Wrocław in the Polish League, Robbi Ryan has been nothing short of a revelation. A former Arizona State standout, Ryan was named EuroBasket.com’s Player of the Year, Import Player of the Year, and Guard of the Year in Poland. Putting up 17.4 PPG, she was the league’s second-leading scorer and recorded multiple 30-point performances, including a triple-double. Her numbers were well-rounded, averaging 4.6 APG, 6.3 RPG, and 1.9 SPG.

More than just a statistical leader, Ryan served as the emotional and tactical core of a Wrocław team that nearly made it to the Polish League Finals. Her on-court presence brought consistency and firepower, and she often led by example through grit, resilience, and an ability to make clutch plays. Ryan’s all-around skill set and leadership made her one of the most influential imports across Europe this season.

4. Pauline Astier – France – Tango Bourges Basket, France

Pauline Astier has grown up under the spotlight in Bourges, and this year she firmly stepped into her own. The 5’11” French point guard had her best season to date, averaging 10.6 PPG and 5.4 APG in EuroLeague. At only 23 years old, she has already collected accolades including LFB Best Young Player (2022), EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year (2023), and multiple national and international titles.

Astier’s basketball IQ sets her apart. She plays with poise and purpose, consistently making smart decisions on both ends of the floor. Her shot selection is excellent, and she demonstrates high-level game awareness that elevates her effectiveness as both a playmaker and a defender. Known for her composure and creativity—a trademark of many French guards—Astier continues to develop into one of Europe’s premier young floor generals.

5. Martha Burse – United States – Saarlouis Royals, Germany

Martha Burse’s journey is one of perseverance and growth. After starting at IUPUI and later transferring to Division II UIndy, where she broke the school scoring record with 22.3 PPG, the 5’3″ guard has made the most of every opportunity. This season, she led the Saarlouis Royals to the German DBBL finals, serving as the team’s top scorer (20.6 PPG), assist leader (4.4 APG), and steals leader (2.6 SPG). She also put up the highest overall evaluation.

Her impact didn’t go unnoticed: Burse was named Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Import Player of the Year, and Guard of the Year, according to Eurobasket.com. Her exceptional change of pace and shiftiness made her a nightmare for defenders across the German league. This international underdog turned star proved that grit, speed, and determination can defy expectations at every level of play.

6. Emese Hof – Netherlands – ZVVZ USK Praha, Czechia

A familiar name for college basketball fans, Emese Hof graduated from the University of Miami in 2019, earning numerous accolades including All-America Team Honorable Mention, ACC Most Improved Player, ACC First Team and ACC All-Defensive Team. Since turning pro, Hof has built a decorated career across top European teams, including Avenida and USK Praha, capturing National Championships, Cups, and SuperCups in Spain and the Czech Republic.

This season, she added a EuroLeague championship to her resume, contributing significantly to her team’s success by averaging 17.5 PPG and 7.7 RPG in the Czech league. Sharing the frontcourt with stars like Brionna Jones and Ezi Magbegor, Hof brought poise, finesse, and a high basketball IQ that impacted the game in subtle but vital ways. Her consistent excellence and championship pedigree solidify her status as one of Europe’s elite bigs.

7. Cate Reese – United States – Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen, Belgium

Cate Reese established herself as a great basketball player early on. In high school, she was ranked as the 12th best player in the country for the class of 2018 by ESPN.com, and was a McDonald’s All-American. She chose to attend Arizona over other prestigious programs like Baylor and South Carolina. As a freshman, she led the Pac-12 in scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.8 PPG and 6.8 RPG. Her leadership role continued to grow, and she played a key part in helping Arizona reach its first ever national championship game in 2021. After five years of college, she went undrafted and began her professional career in Australia, before bringing her game to Belgium in 2023, where she has thrived ever since. 

Over the past two seasons with Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen, Reese has been a crucial player, averaging over 22.2 PPG and 13.1 RPG. Her performance in EuroCup has been even more impressive, where she averaged nearly 23.7 PPG and 15.2 RPG. Though the Kangoeroes lost in the Belgium League Finals, Reese did everything in her power to lead her team to victory and was named Player of the Year by EuroBasket.com. The 6’2″ forward, who can play virtually anywhere on the court, continues to develop new skills, making her an incredibly versatile player who can score in many different ways.

8. Iyana Martín Carrión – Spain – CB Perfumerias Avenida, Spain

 Ivana Martín Carrión is a special prospect, and a player to watch out for leading up to the next WNBA draft. Despite the fact that Carrión is still just 19 years old, she has already won two silver medals with Spain at the Youth FIBA Championships and was named MVP of the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, a tournament that featured many notable college stars (including familiar names like Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, Duke’s Toby Fournier and South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts). 

During her first year playing in EuroLeague for Perfumerias Avenida, she was named EuroLeague Young Player of the Year. She averaged 10.5 PPG, along with 3.4 APG and 4.3 RPG. The other two finalists she beat for the award were Leila Lacan (No. 10 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft) and Matilde Villa (No. 32 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft). The left-handed point guard showcased exceptional leadership and rare efficiency in pick-and-roll situations. She demonstrated composure, while also being quick and explosive in punishing defenses, creating opportunities for both herself and her teammates. There’s still room on the bandwagon before this young star makes a name for herself in the WNBA. 

9. Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah – Nigeria – La Molisana Magnolia Campobasso, Italy

Pallas played at Northwestern University from 2015 to 2019, where she earned First Team All-Big Ten honors and was a Katrina McClain Award candidate during her senior year. She made a lasting impact at her alma mater, especially with her exceptional rebounding skills. This talent has followed her throughout her career, from her days with the Nigerian Senior National Team—where she won a Gold Medal at the 2021 AfroBasket—to her recent years in the Italian League. Year after year, she has averaged double-doubles and consistently ranked among the top three rebounders in the league, including averaging 13.3 RPG in the past four seasons in Italy. 

This year, Pallas nearly led Campobasso to the Italian Finals, with the team falling short in the semifinals, losing 3-1 in a series where each game’s margin was fewer than 10 points. She also had an impressive season in her second EuroCup appearance, averaging 12.3 PPG and 10.3 RPG. It’s safe to say that Pallas averaging a double-double is a reliable expectation! She was signed to a training camp with the Chicago Sky in 2019 but was waived a few days later, but with the influx of expansion teams coming to the WNBA over the next few years, perhaps she earns another look.

10. Olbis Futo Andrè – Italy – Famila Wuber Schio, Italy

The 6’4″ post player has made an impact wherever she’s played and with every minute she’s been on the court. Her impressive physicality and athleticism allow her to dominate on both ends. Now in her seventh season in EuroLeague, playing for Famila Schio and Virtus Bologna, Andrè has steadily increased her contributions each year, becoming a key player in the frontcourts of high-level teams. This season, she averaged 6.5 PPG and 6.7 RPG while shooting 54.2 percent from the field in 23 minutes per game (MPG). She alternated between starting roles and impactful first-sub appearances, consistently making a difference without diminishing her performance. 

André just added another Italian League title to her résumé, completing a haul that already includes  the Italian Cup and the Italian SuperCup (where she was voted MVP). She is also a crucial member of the Italian senior national team, having been one of the top scorers with 11.8 PPG and one of the top rebounders with 5.3 RPG in 2023 at EuroBasket. It will be exciting to continue following her and watching her compete at a high level against some of the best WNBA players overseas.