WNBA: Minnesota Lynx Offseason Update Vol. 20: Lynx Face Off In Finals

Now with the WNBA Draft behind us, it’s officially time to start thinking about training camp and postseason play beginning, both of which are just weeks away.

Following the Minnesota Lynx drafting a trio of forwards in the draft last week — one of which has joined this Lynx Offseason Update and can be seen below — the team’s training camp roster is starting to take shape. And it is going to be one competitive camp this year.

Before camp can officially begin, offseason action is wrapping up across the globe with numerous Lynx players taking part in postseason play or championship series. Three of those players even faced off over the weekend to decide a championship in Turkey.

Let’s look back at the past week with this edition of the Lynx Offseason Update!

Kayla McBride — Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

McBride had an impressive season with Laces in Unrivaled, finishing the regular season second in the league in scoring behind only Napheesa Collier, earning All-Unrivaled First Team honors before losing in the semifinal round of the playoffs. Following an impressive Unrivaled season, McBride is playing overseas in Europe with Fenerbahçe before WNBA training camp commences.

Over the past week, McBride and her Turkish club faced Bridget Carleton and ÇBK Mersin in the Turkey-KBSL Finals, taking the best-of-five series 3-0 to claim yet another title. In the trio of games in the Finals, McBride contributed in the first two and stepped up in the series-clinching Game 3 with a near 20-point performance.

Season Stats (Regular Season):

With Fenerbahçe:

7 games — 16.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 21.0 MPG

Unrivaled:

13 games — 22.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 19.6 MPG

Recent Games:

April 16 vs. ÇBK Mersin (77-70 win): seven points (3-8 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, and four assists over 38 minutes
April 18 vs. ÇBK Mersin (85-54 win): nine points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds, and two steals over 30 minutes
April 20 vs. ÇBK Mersin (79-78 win): 19 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three assists, two rebounds, and one steal over 36 minutes

Bridget Carleton — ÇBK Mersin (Turkey)

With Carleton playing with ÇBK Mersin in Turkey after starting the offseason with UNI Györ in Hungary, Carleton has continued to put together a strong offseason thus far and helped lead her team to a trophy over the past week.

This past week, Carleton and ÇBK Mersin battled Kayla McBride, Marième Badiane, and Fenerbahçe in the Turkey-KBSL Finals, reaching double figures in two of the three contests while doing what she could to help her team as underdogs in the championship round.

Season Stats:

With ÇBK Mersin:

Turkey-KBSL: 16 games — 13.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 35.7 MPG
Euroleague: 9 games — 10.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 33.1 MPG

UNI Györ:

Hungary-A Division: 5 games — 12.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 31.2 MPG
Euroleague: 2 games — 15.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 36.0 MPG

Recent Games:

April 16 vs. Fenerbahçe (77-70 loss): 10 points (3-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, and two assists over 35 minutes.
April 18 vs. Fenerbahçe (85-54 loss): six points (2-4 FG, 2-4 3Pt), three rebounds, and three assists over 29 minutes.
April 20 vs. Fenerbahçe (79-78 loss): 13 points (5-13 FG, 3-9 3Pt), three steals, two rebounds, and two assists over 36 minutes

Dorka Juhász — Famila Schio (Italy)

Juhász is in Italy again this year, coming off a strong campaign with Famila Schio last offseason and looking to build upon that this season as she prepares for her third WNBA campaign in 2025.

Juhász and Famila Schio continued in the Serie-A1 playoffs over the past week, beginning the semifinals round against San Martino, which could wrap up on April 23 if Famila Schio completes a 3-0 series sweep. In those two outings, Juhász contributed nicely on the boards, recording a double-double in one of the two contests.

Season Stats:

Italy-Serie A1: 18 games — 9.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 21.5 MPG
Euroleague: 10 games — 8.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 25.9 MPG

Recent Games:

April 17 vs. San Martino (92-67 win): 10 points (3-7 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, and one assist over 21 minutes
April 19 vs. San Martino (86-50 win): five points (1-3 FG, 3-6 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal over 13 minutes

Marième Badiane — Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

As she prepares to take a WNBA court for the first time ever this summer, Badiane is playing with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe this offseason, contributing nicely in numerous areas for her squad.

Over the past week, Badiane and Fener faced Bridget Carleton and ÇBK Mersin in the Turkey-KBSL Finals, taking the best-of-five series 3-0 to claim yet another title. However, Badiane didn’t appear in any of those games in the championship series.

Season Stats:

Turkey-KBSL: 12 games — 14.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 29.5 MPG
Euroleague: 14 games — 5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 17.2 MPG

Recent Games:

April 16 vs. ÇBK Mersin (77-70 win): DNP
April 18 vs. ÇBK Mersin (85-54 win): DNP
April 20 vs. ÇBK Mersin (79-78 win): DNP

Jessica Shepard — Athinaikos AS Vurona (Greece)

Some may have forgotten about Shepard since she didn’t play in the WNBA in 2024 on a suspended contract while remaining overseas, but the veteran is still under control of the Lynx and re-signed with Minnesota on Sunday.

Shepard and Athinaikos AS Vurona concluded the Greece-A1 playoffs on April 13 in the championship round against Olympiacos, falling in the series 3-1. In the finale, Shepard once again recorded a double-double, doing so in 22 of her 23 outings this offseason.

Season Stats:

Greece-A1: 23 games — 26.4 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 34.0 MPG

Recent Games:

April 13 vs. Olympiacos (78-69 loss): 19 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 13 rebounds, and four assists over 33 minutes.

Anastasiia Olairi Kosu — UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

Kosu is one of the most recent additions to the Lynx roster, signing her rookie contract over the weekend after being drafted 15th overall by Minnesota in the 2025 WNBA Draft. This offseason, the 19-year-old has been playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, having a nice season thus far while averaging nearly 10 points per game.

Over the past week, Kosu and UMMC Ekaterinburg played in one Premier League playoff contest, sweeping Enisey 3-0 in the semifinals to advance to the championship series. In the series-clinching win, Kosu reached double figures in scoring for the third time in her last five outings, contributing nicely on the boards as well.

Season Stats:

Russia-KBL: 35 games — 9.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 BPG, 18.8 MPG

Recent Games:

April 15 vs. Enisey (84-64 win): 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist, and one steal over 21 minutes

Camryn Taylor — Esperides (Greece)

Taylor is a player some Lynx fans might be familiar with, having spent time with Minnesota last training camp. Agreeing to rejoin the team for camp again this year, Taylor has impressed overseas with Esperides in Greece.

Over the past week, Taylor played in one contest with her squad, facing Iraklis in the Greece-A1 Relegation Playoffs, coming away with a series-deciding win in the championship round. In that contest, Taylor led her squad offensively with a 20-point performance.

Season Stats:

Greece-A1: 25 games — 19.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.9 APG, 0.4 BPG, 31.6 MPG

Recent Games:

April 13 vs. Iraklis (68-58 win): 22 points (8-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), five rebounds, four assists, and one block over 34 minutes

Maïa Hirsch — ESB Villeneuve (France)

Hirsch has yet to appear with the Lynx or in the WNBA after being drafted 12th overall by Minnesota in 2023, but is still under team control as she remains in France with ESB Villeneuve.

ESB Villeneuve held one postseason game over the past week, coming away victorious in the France-BWL playoffs. In that lone contest, Hirsch appeared in 15 minutes off the bench and connected on a pair of shots.

Season Stats:

France-BWL: 9 games — 2.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.3 BPG, 11.6 MPG
EuroCup: 2 games — 8.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.5 APG, 19.0 MPG

Recent Games:

April 18 vs. Chartres (81-62 win): four points (2-4 FG), three rebounds, and one steal over 15 minutes

Currently Not In Action

Napheesa Collier — Lunar Owls (United States)

Collier shined all Unrivaled season long, leading the league in scoring and going on to not only earn All-Unrivaled First Team honors but also being named the inaugural Unrivaled MVP.

While earning those accolades, Collier and Lunar Owls fell in an upset in the semifinals in a 73-70 loss to Vinyl. In her final game of the season, Collier put on a show and did all she could for Lunar Owls, leading all players in scoring with a 36-point showing.

Season Stats (Regular Season):

14 games — 25.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 18.6 MPG

Recent Games:

March 16 vs. Vinyl (73-70 loss): 36 points (16-24 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks over 23 minutes

Courtney Williams — Lunar Owls (United States)

As we have seen with the Lynx in the WNBA, Williams was the spark plug and energy generator for the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, distributing the ball well while also being able to help her squad with her shot when needed.

Williams and the Lunar Owls, the best team in the regular season, saw their season come to a close in an upset loss to Vinyl. In the game, Williams reached double figures in scoring while contributing on the boards as well.

Season Stats (Regular Season):

14 games — 9.4 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.9 RPG, 0.4 SPG, 9.8 MPG

Recent Games:

March 16 vs. Vinyl (73-70 loss): 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-3 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists, and one steal over 13 minutes

Natisha Hiedeman — Rose (United States)

After starting the Unrivaled season with Phantom, then Laces, and back to Phantom to round out the regular season, Hiedeman took the floor with her third team of the Unrivaled season when she suited up for Rose in postseason play.

Even though she didn’t play long with Rose, Hiedeman was the lone Lynx player to appear in the championship game and ended up coming away with an Unrivaled championship. In that championship contest, Hiedeman didn’t appear off the bench.

Season Stats (Regular Season):

12 games — 7.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 9.8 MPG

Recent Games:

March 18 vs. Vinyl (62-54 loss): DNP

Alanna Smith — Shandong (China)

Smith absolutely dominated in China over the offseason, leading the way on a game-by-game basis while averaging a double-double with her Chinese squad.

Over the past week, Smith and Shandong have taken part in the WCBA playoffs, facing Guangdong in the quarterfinals. Following a loss on Sunday, Shandong fell 3-1 in the series and sees their WCBA play conclude.

Season Stats:

China-WCBA: 37 games — 18.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 SPG

Recent Games:

March 11 vs. Guangdong (83-78 win): 20 points (7-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 13 rebounds, three steals, and one assist
March 13 vs. Guangdong (89-77 loss): No game stats found.

March 16 vs. Guangdong (92-73 loss): 23 points (10-13 FG, 3-4 FT), six steals, three rebounds, and one rebound

Diamond Miller — Gorzow Wielkopolski (Poland)

Miller had her season cut short last offseason while dealing with a knee injury, only appearing in three games in Hungary before returning to Minnesota to rehab her injury. This offseason, she has done well in her first full healthy offseason.

Gorzow resumed the Basket Liga playoffs on April 12, falling to VBW Gdynia 3-0 in the series. To conclude that postseason run, Miller appeared in the finale despite missing the previous three outings,

Season Stats:

Poland-OBLK: 22 games — 17.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 29.3 MPG
EuroCup: 4 games — 12.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 31.5 MPG

Recent Games:

April 12 vs. VBW Gdynia (87-71 loss): 13 points (4-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, three assists, and three blocks over 29 minutes

Alissa Pili — Team Harris (United States)

Pili got back on the court this offseason while taking part in Athletes Unlimited, completing the four-week schedule last week while ending the year appearing in all 12 contests.

Pili rounded out the season with a nice showing, concluding the year with just over 12 points per game and shooting 43.2 percent from the field.

Season Stats:

12 games — 12.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 28.1 MPG

Recent Games:

March 1 vs. Team Sims (100-97 win): 14 points (6-15 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds, and one assist over 35 minutes
March 2 vs. Team Bradford (84-78 loss): seven points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and one rebound over 23 minutes

Grace Berger — OGM Ormanspor (Turkey)

Berger, another new member of the Lynx, was claimed off waivers by Minnesota after the former seventh-overall pick was waived by the Indiana Fever earlier this offseason.

Berger had a nice season with OGM Ormanspor in Turkey, boosting her squad in nearly every aspect of the game. OMG Ormanspor wasn’t able to crack into the postseason bracket, finishing in ninth place in the Turkey-KBSL standings and missing out on the top eight spots.

Season Stats:

Turkey-KBSL: 22 games — 13.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 36.3 MPG

Recent Games:

March 14 vs. Botas (84-68 win): 14 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven assists, three rebounds, and three steals over 40 minutes

Kiara Leslie — Gigantes de Carolina (Puerto Rico)

Leslie is the newest member of the Lynx, signing a training camp contract with Minnesota over the past week. Leslie was originally drafted by the Washington Mystics 10th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, last playing in the WNBA in 2021.

Leslie has played overseas in Egypt, France, Israel, and Russia throughout her career, most recently playing in Puerto Rico for Puerto Rico-BSNF action as part of Gigantes de Carolina. Last playing with the club on Oct. 28, Leslie did a little bit of everything for her Puerto Rican squad over 20 contests.

Season Stats:

Puerto Rico-BSNF: 20 games — 18.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 35.6 MPG

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.