Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

For much of the WNBA’s history, the world’s best players competed year-round. After finishing the WNBA season, many stars traveled overseas to play in Europe, Asia or Australia, where they continued competing for championships while refining their skills against elite international talent.

These dual-career athletes successfully balanced two demanding professional careers, often winning league titles, MVP awards and international honors while playing nearly every month of the year. Their achievements helped elevate women’s basketball worldwide and strengthened the relationship between the WNBA and international leagues.

Here are some of the greatest players to excel both in the WNBA and overseas.

Diana Taurasi

WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Spartak Moscow Region (Russia)
  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)
  • Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

Few players have dominated basketball on as many stages as Diana Taurasi.

WNBA Achievements

  • 3× WNBA Champion
  • League MVP
  • Finals MVP
  • Multiple scoring titles
  • WNBA all-time leading scorer

Overseas Success

Taurasi won numerous EuroLeague Women championships and domestic league titles while earning a reputation as one of the greatest international club players in history.

Her ability to dominate year-round is virtually unmatched.

Sue Bird

WNBA Team: Seattle Storm

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
  • Spartak Moscow Region (Russia)
  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

Sue Bird seamlessly transitioned between the WNBA and Europe for many seasons.

WNBA Achievements

  • 4× WNBA Champion
  • 13× All-Star
  • WNBA all-time assists leader
  • 5× Olympic gold medalist

Overseas Success

Bird won multiple EuroLeague Women championships and domestic league titles while serving as one of Europe’s premier point guards.

Lauren Jackson

WNBA Team: Seattle Storm

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Canberra Capitals (Australia)
  • Spartak Moscow Region (Russia)

Lauren Jackson established herself as one of the greatest international players ever.

WNBA Achievements

  • 3× WNBA MVP
  • 2× WNBA Champion
  • Finals MVP
  • Hall of Fame inductee

Overseas Success

Jackson captured championships in Australia and Europe while remaining one of the world’s most dominant forwards.

Candace Parker

WNBA Teams:

  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • Chicago Sky
  • Las Vegas Aces

Major Overseas Club:

  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

Candace Parker combined versatility with exceptional basketball intelligence throughout her career.

WNBA Achievements

  • 3× WNBA Champion
  • 2× League MVP
  • Rookie of the Year
  • Finals MVP

Overseas Success

Playing in Russia provided valuable experience against elite European competition while helping her continue developing as one of the sport’s most complete players.

Breanna Stewart

WNBA Teams:

  • Seattle Storm
  • New York Liberty

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Dynamo Kursk (Russia)
  • Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

Breanna Stewart has built one of the most decorated basketball résumés in history.

WNBA Achievements

  • Multiple league MVP awards
  • Multiple WNBA championships
  • Finals MVP
  • Multiple All-WNBA First Team selections

Overseas Success

Stewart added EuroLeague Women titles and domestic championships while remaining one of the world’s premier players.

Emma Meesseman

WNBA Teams:

  • Washington Mystics
  • Chicago Sky
  • New York Liberty

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)
  • Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

Already one of Europe’s biggest stars, Emma Meesseman translated that success directly to the WNBA.

WNBA Achievements

  • WNBA Champion
  • WNBA Finals MVP
  • Multiple All-Star selections

Overseas Success

She captured numerous EuroLeague Women championships and domestic league titles while becoming Belgium’s greatest female basketball player.

Penny Taylor

WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
  • Dandenong Rangers (Australia)

Penny Taylor enjoyed tremendous success across multiple continents.

WNBA Achievements

  • 3× WNBA Champion
  • Sixth Woman of the Year
  • Multiple All-Star selections

Overseas Success

Taylor became one of Australia’s greatest basketball players while winning championships in Europe and Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).

Brittney Griner

WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China)
  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

Brittney Griner dominated wherever she played.

WNBA Achievements

  • WNBA Champion
  • Defensive Player of the Year
  • Multiple scoring titles
  • Multiple All-WNBA selections

Overseas Success

Her combination of size, mobility and shot-blocking made her one of the world’s most dominant interior players in both Europe and China.

Jonquel Jones

WNBA Teams:

  • Connecticut Sun
  • New York Liberty

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • Asan Woori Bank (South Korea)
  • Çukurova Basketbol (Turkey)
  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

Jonquel Jones steadily developed into one of basketball’s most versatile forwards.

WNBA Achievements

  • League MVP
  • WNBA Champion
  • Multiple All-Star selections

Overseas Success

International competition helped expand her perimeter skills while allowing her to flourish as an offensive centerpiece.

Alyssa Thomas

WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • South Korea
  • Czech Republic

Alyssa Thomas has consistently excelled in every environment.

WNBA Achievements

  • Multiple All-WNBA selections
  • One of the league’s greatest all-around players
  • Triple-double leader

Overseas Success

Her international experience further developed her playmaking, leadership and versatility.

Courtney Vandersloot

WNBA Teams:

  • Chicago Sky
  • New York Liberty

Major Overseas Clubs:

  • UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)
  • Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
  • Sopron Basket (Hungary)

Courtney Vandersloot became one of the world’s premier point guards.

WNBA Achievements

  • WNBA Champion
  • Multiple assist titles
  • Multiple All-Star selections

Overseas Success

She directed championship-winning offenses across Europe while refining the passing and decision-making that defined her WNBA career.

Why Dual Careers Were Common

For many years, overseas basketball offered opportunities that complemented WNBA careers.

Benefits included:

  • Additional income.
  • Year-round competition.
  • More playing experience.
  • Exposure to different coaching philosophies.
  • Opportunities to compete in prestigious tournaments such as EuroLeague Women.

Many players viewed overseas competition as an essential part of their professional development.

Challenges of Playing Year-Round

Maintaining two professional careers demanded extraordinary dedication.

Players often faced:

  • Minimal offseason recovery.
  • Extensive international travel.
  • Different coaching systems.
  • Language and cultural adjustments.
  • Increased risk of injury.
  • Nearly continuous competition.

Despite these challenges, many athletes maintained elite performance for well over a decade.

A Changing Landscape

As WNBA salaries, marketing opportunities and player benefits have improved, fewer stars now spend every offseason overseas. Some players prioritize rest, rehabilitation or personal business ventures during the winter months.

Nevertheless, international leagues remain an important destination for many WNBA athletes, particularly younger players seeking additional development and veterans continuing to compete at a high level.

Final Thoughts

The greatest dual-career players demonstrated remarkable consistency by excelling in multiple leagues across the globe. Legends such as Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson and Candace Parker proved that elite talent could thrive in vastly different basketball environments, while stars like Breanna Stewart, Emma Meesseman and Jonquel Jones have continued that tradition in the modern era.

Their accomplishments helped strengthen the connection between the WNBA and international basketball, raising the standard of competition worldwide. Their success stands as a testament to extraordinary skill, adaptability and dedication, making them some of the most accomplished players in the history of women’s basketball.