Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The relationship between the WNBA and EuroLeague Women has played a major role in the growth of women’s basketball. For decades, many of the world’s best players spent their WNBA offseasons competing in Europe’s premier club competition, where they represented powerhouse organizations such as UMMC Ekaterinburg, Fenerbahçe, Dynamo Kursk, Sopron Basket, and ZVVZ USK Praha.
EuroLeague Women offered elite competition, lucrative contracts, and the opportunity to compete for international club championships. Many WNBA legends built extraordinary international résumés alongside their professional careers in North America, winning EuroLeague titles, Final Four MVP awards, and domestic championships across Europe.
Below are some of the greatest WNBA players who also became stars in EuroLeague Women.
WNBA Stars Who Excelled in EuroLeague Women
| Player | WNBA Position | Major EuroLeague Clubs | EuroLeague Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diana Taurasi | Guard | Spartak Moscow, UMMC Ekaterinburg, Fenerbahçe | Multiple EuroLeague championships and MVP honors |
| Sue Bird | Point Guard | Spartak Moscow, UMMC Ekaterinburg | Multiple EuroLeague titles |
| Lauren Jackson | Forward/Center | Spartak Moscow | EuroLeague champion and dominant frontcourt star |
| Candace Parker | Forward | UMMC Ekaterinburg, Fenerbahçe | EuroLeague champion |
| Breanna Stewart | Forward | Dynamo Kursk, Fenerbahçe | EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP |
| Maya Moore | Forward | Ros Casares Valencia | EuroLeague champion |
| Emma Meesseman | Forward | UMMC Ekaterinburg, Fenerbahçe | EuroLeague MVP and multiple championships |
| Brittney Griner | Center | UMMC Ekaterinburg | Multiple EuroLeague championships |
| Penny Taylor | Forward | Fenerbahçe | EuroLeague champion |
| DeWanna Bonner | Forward | Nadezhda Orenburg, USK Praha | Final Four appearances and domestic titles |
| Cappie Pondexter | Guard | Spartak Moscow | Multiple EuroLeague championships |
| Seimone Augustus | Guard | Spartak Moscow | EuroLeague champion |
| Sylvia Fowles | Center | Galatasaray | Elite interior performer |
| Tina Charles | Center | Dynamo Kursk | EuroLeague All-Star caliber center |
| Courtney Vandersloot | Point Guard | Fenerbahçe | Championship-winning floor general |
| Allie Quigley | Guard | Fenerbahçe | Elite three-point shooter and champion |
| Chelsea Gray | Guard | Fenerbahçe | Playmaking leader |
| Jonquel Jones | Forward/Center | UMMC Ekaterinburg | Championship-winning stretch big |
| Nneka Ogwumike | Forward | Dynamo Kursk | Productive frontcourt player |
| Alyssa Thomas | Forward | ZVVZ USK Praha | Versatile two-way contributor |
| Elena Delle Donne | Forward | UMMC Ekaterinburg | Productive European campaign |
| Liz Cambage | Center | Dynamo Kursk | Dominant post scorer |
| Kayla McBride | Guard | Fenerbahçe | Consistent perimeter scorer |
| Natasha Howard | Forward | Dynamo Kursk | Defensive versatility |
| Kristi Toliver | Guard | Fenerbahçe | Elite outside shooting |
| Epiphanny Prince | Guard | Galatasaray | Dynamic scoring guard |
| Becky Hammon | Guard | CSKA Moscow | Veteran international leader |
| Ticha Penicheiro | Point Guard | Bourges Basket | Elite passer in European competition |
| Ann Wauters | Center | Valenciennes, UMMC Ekaterinburg | Multiple EuroLeague titles and MVP honors |
| Sandrine Gruda | Center | UMMC Ekaterinburg | Long-time EuroLeague star |
EuroLeague Women Powerhouses
Many WNBA players suited up for the most successful clubs in European basketball.
| Club | Notable WNBA Players |
|---|---|
| UMMC Ekaterinburg | Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Brittney Griner, Emma Meesseman, Jonquel Jones, Candace Parker |
| Fenerbahçe | Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Kayla McBride, Penny Taylor |
| Spartak Moscow Region | Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Cappie Pondexter, Seimone Augustus |
| Dynamo Kursk | Breanna Stewart, Nneka Ogwumike, Tina Charles, Liz Cambage, Natasha Howard |
| ZVVZ USK Praha | Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner |
| Ros Casares Valencia | Maya Moore |
| Galatasaray | Sylvia Fowles, Epiphanny Prince |
The Greatest EuroLeague Careers
Several WNBA stars established legendary international careers.
Diana Taurasi
No WNBA player enjoyed a more decorated EuroLeague career than Diana Taurasi. She won multiple EuroLeague Women championships, earned Final Four MVP honors, captured numerous domestic league titles, and became one of the most dominant international players of her generation.
Emma Meesseman
Emma Meesseman developed into one of EuroLeague Women’s greatest modern stars. Her combination of scoring efficiency, passing, rebounding, and basketball IQ helped her earn EuroLeague MVP honors while leading several elite European clubs to championships.
Sue Bird
Alongside her remarkable WNBA career, Sue Bird became one of Europe’s most accomplished point guards. Her leadership and playmaking were instrumental in multiple EuroLeague championship runs.
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart transitioned seamlessly from college dominance to professional success on both sides of the Atlantic. She quickly established herself as one of EuroLeague Women’s premier forwards, collecting championships and Final Four MVP honors.
Ann Wauters
Although known internationally before entering the WNBA, Ann Wauters remained one of Europe’s defining centers for more than a decade, winning multiple EuroLeague titles and consistently competing at the highest level.
Why WNBA Players Chose EuroLeague Women
For many years, EuroLeague Women represented the highest level of club basketball outside the WNBA.
- Elite competition against the world’s best international players.
- Opportunities to win prestigious European championships.
- Higher salaries than many WNBA contracts.
- Year-round player development.
- Exposure to different coaching philosophies and playing styles.
- Participation in domestic league championships alongside EuroLeague competition.
Many players considered winning a EuroLeague title nearly as prestigious as winning a WNBA championship because of the strength of the competition.
A Lasting Partnership
The connection between the WNBA and EuroLeague Women has strengthened women’s basketball worldwide. American stars elevated European competitions, while international players gained experience that translated into WNBA success. This exchange of talent helped accelerate player development, expand the global fan base, and raise the overall standard of professional women’s basketball.
Although more WNBA players now choose to remain in the United States during the offseason due to improved salaries and new opportunities, EuroLeague Women continues to attract elite talent and remains one of the world’s most prestigious basketball competitions. The careers of these players demonstrate how success on both continents helped shape some of the greatest résumés in women’s basketball history.