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, the 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.
Alina Iagupova, a 31-year-old guard for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, has won the EuroLeague MVP award in two of the last three seasons. A decade removed from being selected in the third round of the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, she’s regarded as one of the world’s best players. “She’s just as good or even better than a lot of the WNBA players that I’ve played against,” says Chicago Sky wing Rebekah Gardner, who has played overseas for about a decade.
Says Sky guard Dana Evans, who is playing with a rival club in Istanbul: “She’s a bulldog. Super strong. Really fancy with the passing. She’s just different.”
And Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride, Iagupova’s Fener teammate: “Just flat-out talented. Could play on any WNBA team right now just based off talent and what she brings immediately.”
The high praise is for naught, though. One of the world’s best players may never set foot in the world’s best league.
While playing…
