Competing overseas has long been the track WNBA players have taken in their offseasons.
Though the landscape has changed this season, plenty of WNBA players have headed abroad to compete in foreign leagues. The Athletic will be with many of them this winter, telling stories about their lives and the impact of nearly year-round competition.
Where do WNBA players compete?
From Spain to Australia to Turkey, you’ll find WNBA players competing in numerous countries.
Russia had been a popular destination for WNBA players, with the league’s brightest stars competing for teams like UMMC Ekaterinburg and Dynamo Kursk. It was known to pay the highest salaries — reportedly more than $1 million in some cases — and it boasted loaded rosters.
But because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict, FIBA has banned Russia from competition — and that includes participation in the women’s EuroLeague. Many players have been rattled by Brittney Griner’s lengthy detention and imprisonment in Russia, an ongoing ordeal the U.S. government has deemed unjust.
China, which also paid well, isn’t an option this year because of COVID-19-related visa issues.
Turkey is an especially popular home to WNBA players this year. Jonquel Jones (Sun), Tiffany Hayes (Dream), Queen Egbo…
