Blue Christmas: How homesick WNBA players create holiday traditions overseas

In No Offseason, The Athletic follows the paths of women’s basketball players after their WNBA seasons’ end and their travels begin. From Turkey, Israel, Italy, Czech Republic, Mexico and even here in the U.S., our reporters tell the stories of these players as they chase their dreams and try to shape the future of the WNBA.

SCHIO, Italy — Last week, Amanda Zahui B., a center for Famila Wuber Schio and a member of the Los Angeles Sparks, visited her local Italian nail technician with a festive idea she wanted to try. She sought to showcase her excitement for the upcoming Christmas holiday by having some of her nails painted green, others red, others striped and two with the Grinch on them. “He’s so opposite of me,” says Zahui B. of the Dr. Seuss character. “He hates Christmas, but I love him.”

There have been times throughout Zahui B.’s more than half-decade professional career overseas she hasn’t had the holiday off. This year, though, not even the Grinch can steal Christmas from her — the Italian club is idle for a few days around Natale.

In the landscape of overseas professional women’s basketball, a late December break — even a brief one — is far from guaranteed. For instance, in Turkey and Israel, where Islam and Judaism are each country’s…