The WNBA has experienced unprecedented growth over the past five years, and with that growth has been the development of basketball overseas. There is a strong combination of international talent and rising American stars that have developed overseas, showcasing the outstandings of the original university and showcasing players who have gone on an alternative path outside the NCAA. None of the 10 athletes highlighted below play in the WNBA games, but have had an astonishing season in the EuroLeague, EuroCup and top international leagues, leaving a big mark on the club and the competition they played.
1. Cornelia Vonden – USA – Faenza Basket Project, Italy
Born in Memphis, 32-year-old Cornelia Vondoren spent the best season of her professional career in the Faenza Basket Project in Italy’s first league. A 2016 graduate of Syracuse University, Vondere has emerged as one of the league’s most impactful all-around guards. She scored the season with 15.2 points per game (PPG), sixth in rebounds on 8.3 boards (RPG) per game, second in assists with 4.8 (APG) per game, and led the league with Steel (SPG) per game (2.9) and Draw-in Fouls (6.1).
Her individual admiration tells only part of the story. Fondren recorded three games with 50 triple doubles, 20 points or more performances, and three games with over 40 final efficiency ratings. Beyond her eye-opening box score, she was the engine that forced Faenza to her first playoff appearance since the club’s founding in 2015.
Perhaps most notable is the context. This was a team that was expected to finish in the final position in the international league. Instead, they secured a seventh place finish, mainly due to Vonden’s quiet and steady leadership and the examples she set up every time she stepped onto the court. A left-handed security guard with a high basketball IQ, she embraced the challenge of leading a young hungry team with nothing to lose.
2. Zara Frisikobek – Slovenia – Sopong Basket, Hungary
Slovenian Sharpshooter has long been one of the brightest talents in her country. As a young man, she scored at all age levels at the FIBA European Championships, averaging 15.4 ppg in 2017 and 19.7 ppg in 2018. She later grew into a key member of the senior national team, and her breakout performance occurred during her latest Eurobasket.
Over the past two seasons, Friškovec has also made a mark at the club level. During the 2022-2023 season, she played in the Euroleague for Polkowice, averaging 11.1 ppg. This season she played with Sopron in the Euro Cup, where she averaged 12.5 ppg, shooting 45.6% from the 3-point range and 60% from inside the arc. Standing at 5’11” she was kicked out of the ball and evolved into a multipurpose all-around guard that was deadly in pick-and-roll situations.
Friškovec has evolved into an incredible defender with his fast footing and shooting accuracy, whether he rounds the screen, pulls it out of midrange or attacks the rim. She also appeared as a powerful secondary education manufacturer, especially for the national team. She has proven effective in creating opportunities for teammates such as Evarisek, Jessica Shepherd and Ajishashivka. Her growing leadership role and offensive versatility make her one of Europe’s most exciting security guards.
3. Robilian – United States – Poland, ślęzawrocław
Robilian, who currently stars Wroclaw in the Polish League, is nothing more than a revelation. Former Arizona standout, Ryan was named EuroBasket.com’s This year’s Player, Import Player of the Year, and Poland Guard of the Year. With a 17.4 PPG up, she was the second-best scorer in the league, with multiple 30-point performances, including a triple double. Her numbers were well balanced, averaging 4.6 APG, 6.3 RPG and 1.9 SPG.
Rather than merely a statistical leader, Ryan served as the emotional and tactical core of the Wroclaw team, approaching the Polish league final. Her presence on the court brought consistency and firepower, and she was often led by example through her ability to make grit, resilience and clutch plays. Ryan’s all-around skill set and leadership have made her one of Europe’s most influential imports this season.
4. Pauline Astier – France – Tango Burj Basket, France
Pauline Astier grew up under the Burj spotlight, and this year she has stepped firmly into herself. The 5’11 inch French point guard scored his best season to date, averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.4 APG in the Euroleague. At just 23 years old, she has already attracted praise, including the LFB Best Young Player (2022), the Euroleague Female Young Player of the Year (2023), and multiple national and international shooters.
Astier’s basketball IQ makes her stand out. She plays with calmness and purpose, making consistent and wise decisions on both ends of the floor. Her shot selection is excellent, showing a high level of game perception that enhances her effectiveness as both a playmaker and a defender. Known for her calmness and creativity (trademarks of many French security guards), Astier continues to develop into one of Europe’s best young floor generals.
5. Martha Byrs – United States – Saaloi Royals, Germany
Martha Bath’s journey is one of perseverance and growth. Starting with IUPUI, later transferred to Division II Uindy, where after breaking the school’s score record with 22.3 PPG, the 5’3” guard made the most of every opportunity. This season, she led 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 posted the best overall ratings.
Her impact was not noticed: Bath was named Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Import Player of the Year and Guard of the Year. EuroBasket.com. Her extraordinary pace and shifting has made her a nightmare for defenders across the German league. This international underdog is a star who turned the star and proved that grit, speed and determination can go against expectations at any level of play.
6. EmeseHof -Otherlands -Zvvz USK Prague, Czech Republic
A familiar name for college basketball fans, Emmese Hof graduated from Miami in 2019 and has earned many accolades, including honorable mentions of the national team, ACC’s most improved player, ACC first team, ACC all-defensive team and more. Since turning Pro, HOF has built a career decorated with top European teams such as Avenida and Usk Praha, winning national championships, cups and super cups in Spain and the Czech Republic.
This season she added the Euroleague championship to her resume, and has contributed significantly to the success of her team, averaging 17.5 ppg and 7.7 RPG in the Czech League. Sharing the frontcourt with stars such as Breonna Jones and Eji Magbegour, Hoff has brought him a high basketball IQ that has calmed down, finesse and influenced the game in a subtle but important way. Her consistent excellence and championship pedigree cement her status as one of the elite big Europeans.
7. CateReese – United States – Kangaroo Basket Mecheren, Belgium
Kate Reese established herself as a great basketball player early on. In high school, she was ranked the 12th best player in the country in the class of 2018. ESPN.comand was a national at McDonald’s. She chose to join Arizona over other well-known programs such as 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 continues to grow and she played a key role in helping Arizona reach its first national championship game in 2021. After five years of college, she was not drafted and began her professional career in Australia.
Over the past two seasons with Kangoroys Basket Mecheren, Reese has been an important player averaged 22.2 ppg and 13.1 rpg. Her performance at the Euro Cup was even more impressive, with her averaged 23.7 ppg and 15.2 rpg. The Kangoroys lost in the Belgian League final, but Reese led her team to victory with her powers and was named Player of the Year by Eurobasket.com. Playable almost anywhere on the court, the 6’2” continues to develop new skills and become 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 the next WNBA draft. Despite the fact that Carrión is only 19 years old, she has already won two silver medals with Spain in the Youth FIBA Championship and was named MVP for the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
In her first year playing for Pemolueas Avenida for Euro League, 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 won the award were Leila Lacan (10th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft) and Matilde Villa (32 picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft). The left-handed point guard introduced extraordinary leadership and rare efficiency in pick-and-roll situations. She showed calm, but punishing defense was quick and explosive, creating opportunities for both herself and her teammates. Before this young star makes his name in the WNBA, the bandwagon still has space.
9. Karas Saidi Kakupana – Nigeria – La Morisana Magnolia Camposo, Italy
Pallas played at Northwestern University from 2015 to 2019, winning his first team All-Big Ten Honors and was a nominee for the Katrina McClain Award during his senior year. She had a lasting impact at her alma mater, especially with her extraordinary rebound skills. The talent has been chasing her throughout her career from Nigeria’s senior national team (the day he won the gold medal in Afro Basket in 2021). Over the years, she has averaged double doubles, consistently ranked among the league’s top three rebounders, including an average of 13.3 RPGs over the past four seasons.
This year, Pallas led Campobasso to an almost Italian final, with the team shortfall in the semi-finals, losing 3-1 in a series with margins for each game under 10 points. She also had an impressive season with her second Euro Cup appearance, averaging 12.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg. Pallas, who averages double doubles, is safe to say that they are reliable expectations! She was signed to training camp with Chicago Sky in 2019, but was abandoned a few days later, but she will likely get a different look when an influx of expansion teams comes to the WNBA over the coming years.
10. Olbis Futo Andrè – Italy – Familazou Vacio, Italy
The 6’4” post player made an impact where she played and when she was on the court every minute. Her impressive physicality and athleticism allow her to dominate both ends. Now playing for Famila Cio and Virtuous Bologna in his seventh season in the Euroleague, Andre has steadily increased his contributions each year and has become a key player on the frontcourt of high-level teams. This season, she averaged 6.5 ppg and 6.7 rpg, shooting 54.2% off the field in 23 minutes per game (mpg). She alternated between her first role and her impactful first sub look, consistently creating a difference without diminishing performance.
Andre added another Italian League title to her resume and completed the haul, including the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup (where she was chosen as MVP). She was also a key member of the Italian senior national team, one of the top scorers at 11.8 PPG and one of the top rebounders at 5.3 RPG in 2023. It’s exciting to continue following her and see her compete at a high level with the best WNBA players overseas.
