Lynx Players Compete Globally During WNBA Offseason, Napheesa Collier to Miss Unrivaled Due to Surgery

As the WNBA season remains on the horizon, 12 Minnesota Lynx players are actively participating in offseason play across the globe. Though, Napheesa Collier will be sidelined from her anticipated participation in Unrivaled due to surgery on both ankles, requiring a recovery period of 4-6 months.

Player Updates

Courtney Williams — Vinyl (Unrivaled)

Williams returns to Unrivaled for its second season after playing for the Lunar Owls in the inaugural season. Now with Team Vinyl, she’s demonstrated strong playmaking and rebounding skills, despite some offensive inconsistencies. Recently, she competed in Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament, falling to Veronica Burton in the first round.

• Unrivaled Stats: 10 games — 7.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG
• February 2 vs. Hive: Eight points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, one steal (9 minutes)
• February 7 vs. Rose: No points (0-3 FG) (4 minutes)

Alanna Smith — Mist (Unrivaled)

Smith is spending her offseason in the United States for the first time as a professional, playing for The Mist in Unrivaled. She has contributed offensively and defensively, helping her squad to a 3-1 start. She did not participate in the 1-on-1 tournament.

• Unrivaled Stats: 10 games — 7.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.5 APG, 0.4 SPG
• February 2 vs. Laces: 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist, one steal (12 minutes)
• February 7 vs. Phantom: 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block (9 minutes)

Natisha Hiedeman — Hive (Unrivaled)

Hiedeman is back with Unrivaled for the second consecutive season, joining one of the league’s newest teams, Hive. She has contributed off the bench. She fell to Kelsey Plum in the second round of the 1-on-1 tournament.

• Unrivaled Stats: 10 games — 5.6 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.2 SPG
• February 2 vs. Vinyl: No points (0-4 FG), one rebound, one assist (8 minutes)
• February 6 vs. Breeze: Eight points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one rebound (6 minutes)

Kayla McBride — Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

McBride is playing with Fenerbahçe in Turkey, a team she has a history with. She has been a consistent two-way player for the Turkish powerhouse.

• Turkey-KBSL Stats: 12 games — 12.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.4 RPG, 0.8 SPG
• EuroLeague Stats: 8 games — 13.3 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.5 SPG
• February 13 vs. Kayseri: 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt), eight assists, six rebounds, one steal (21 minutes)

Bridget Carleton — USK Praha (Czech Republic)

Carleton is playing in her seventh country during her career, adding the Czech Republic to her list. She’s making an impact in both Czech Republic-ZBL and EuroLeague action.

• Czech Republic-ZBL Stats: 11 games — 11.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG
• EuroLeague Stats: 9 games — 13.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG
• February 15 vs. Zabiny Bmo: Seven points (2-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt), four rebounds, two steals, one assist (28 minutes)

Jessica Shepard — Famila Schio (Italy)

Shepard is playing in Italy with Famila Schio, continuing her trend of playing in different countries during the offseason. She has been a consistent double-double threat.

• Italy-Serie A1 Stats: 16 games — 17.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG
• EuroLeague Stats: 12 games — 17.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG
• February 8 vs. Sassari: 23 points (10-14 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal (23 minutes)
• February 10 vs. Battipaglia: 19 points (8-9 FG), three rebounds, one assist (36 minutes)

Maria Kliundikova — UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)

Kliundikova is playing in her home country of Russia with UMMC Yekateringburg, alongside teammate Anastasiia Olairi Kosu. She has been a balanced contributor.

• Russia-PBL Stats: 17 games — 12.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
• February 10 vs. Nadezhda: 17 points (8-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds, two steals, one assist (26 minutes)
• February 14 vs. Dynamo: 15 points (6-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, three blocks, one assist (20 minutes)

Dorka Juhász — Galatasaray (Turkey)

Juhász is playing in Turkey, remaining under contract with Minnesota through 2026. She has made an impact on both ends of the floor.

• Turkey-KBSL Stats: 12 games — 12.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
• EuroLeague Stats: 14 games — 13.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
• February 4 vs. Girona: 16 points (5-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 12 rebounds, two assists, one block (29 minutes)

Anastasiia Olairi Kosu — UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)

Kosu is playing in Russia with UMMC Yekateringburg, alongside Maria Kliundikova. She has shown promising development.

• Russia-PBL Stats: 15 games — 10.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 APG, 0.4 BPG
• February 10 vs. Nadezhda: 14 points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, one block, one steal (25 minutes)
• February 14 vs. Dynamo: 12 points (5-6 FG), six rebounds, four assists, one block, one steal (18 minutes)

Maia Hirsch — Charleville-Mezieres (France)

Hirsch continues to develop her game in France, gaining valuable experience.

• Franco-BWL Stats: 15 games — 8.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.2 SPG
• EuroLeague Stats: 10 games — 5.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
• February 14 vs. Lyon: Seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one steal (21 minutes)

Jaylyn Sherrod — Eclipse (Athletes Unlimited)

Sherrod is participating in Athletes Unlimited’s fifth season in Nashville.

• Athletes Unlimited Stats: 6 games — 6.8 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG
• February 11 vs. Gold Rush: Six points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one assist, one steal (14 minutes)
• February 13 vs. Glow: Three points (1-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four assists, one rebound (16 minutes)
• February 14 vs. Rhythm: Five points (1-3 FG), two assists, two steals, one rebound (16 minutes)

Camryn Taylor — Landerneau (France)

Taylor is playing in France with Landerneau Bretagne Basket.

• France-BWL Stats: 7 games — 4.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.1 APG, 0.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
• February 14 vs. Bourges: No points (1 minute)