Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Long before women’s basketball became a year-round global spectacle, many of the WNBA’s biggest stars spent their winters competing overseas. Playing in EuroLeague Women and Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) allowed players to sharpen their skills, experience different playing styles, and build remarkable international résumés.
For many legends, success wasn’t measured only by WNBA championships—it also included EuroLeague titles, WNBL championships, Olympic medals, and domestic league MVP awards across multiple continents.
Here are some of the greatest WNBA players whose careers spanned the WNBA, EuroLeague Women, and the Australian WNBL.
1. Lauren Jackson
WNBA: Seattle Storm
EuroLeague Women: Spartak Moscow Region, Ros Casares Valencia
WNBL: Canberra Capitals
Few players have enjoyed a more accomplished international career than Lauren Jackson. She dominated every league she entered, winning championships and MVP awards across three continents.
Career highlights
- Three-time WNBA MVP
- Two-time WNBA champion
- Multiple EuroLeague Women champion
- Multiple WNBL MVP
- WNBL champion
- Olympic medalist
Why she’s No. 1
Jackson became the benchmark for international excellence in women’s basketball.
2. Penny Taylor
WNBA: Phoenix Mercury
EuroLeague Women: Fenerbahçe, Dinamo Moscow, UMMC Ekaterinburg
WNBL: Dandenong Rangers
Taylor succeeded everywhere she played, becoming one of Australia’s greatest exports.
Achievements
- Three WNBA championships
- EuroLeague Women champion
- WNBL champion
- Olympic medalist
3. Diana Taurasi
WNBA: Phoenix Mercury
EuroLeague Women: Spartak Moscow Region, UMMC Ekaterinburg
WNBL: N/A
Although Taurasi never played in the WNBL, her EuroLeague success alongside her WNBA career makes her one of the most accomplished international professionals ever.
Highlights
- WNBA all-time leading scorer
- Multiple EuroLeague titles
- EuroLeague Final Four MVP
- Three WNBA championships
4. Sue Bird
WNBA: Seattle Storm
EuroLeague Women: Spartak Moscow Region, UMMC Ekaterinburg
WNBL: N/A
Bird built championship résumés in both America and Europe while becoming one of basketball’s greatest point guards.
Career accomplishments
- Four WNBA championships
- Multiple EuroLeague titles
- Olympic gold medals
5. Liz Cambage
WNBA: Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces
EuroLeague Women: UMMC Ekaterinburg and others
WNBL: Dandenong Rangers, Bulleen Boomers, Southside Flyers
Cambage dominated wherever she played, combining elite scoring with remarkable athleticism.
Highlights
- WNBA scoring champion
- WNBL MVP
- WNBL champion
- EuroLeague experience
- Olympic medalist
6. Breanna Stewart
WNBA: Seattle Storm, New York Liberty
EuroLeague Women: Dynamo Kursk, UMMC Ekaterinburg, Fenerbahçe
WNBL: N/A
Stewart’s international résumé matches her WNBA dominance.
Achievements
- Multiple WNBA MVPs
- EuroLeague champion
- EuroLeague MVP
- Multiple WNBA championships
7. Candace Parker
WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces
EuroLeague Women: UMMC Ekaterinburg
WNBL: Adelaide Lightning
Parker briefly competed in Australia’s WNBL early in her career before becoming one of basketball’s greatest all-around players.
Career highlights
- Two-time WNBA MVP
- Two-time WNBA champion
- WNBL experience
- EuroLeague champion
8. Lauren Cox
WNBA: Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings
EuroLeague Women: Multiple European clubs
WNBL: Townsville Fire
Cox developed her game through overseas competition after entering the WNBA.
Known for
- Defensive versatility
- International experience
- WNBL contributor
9. Sami Whitcomb
WNBA: Seattle Storm, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury
EuroLeague Women: Various European clubs
WNBL: Perth Lynx
Whitcomb has built one of the most balanced international careers of any modern guard.
Achievements
- Two WNBA championships
- WNBL MVP
- WNBL scoring leader
- EuroCup and European success
10. Ezi Magbegor
WNBA: Seattle Storm
EuroLeague Women: European club competition
WNBL: Melbourne Boomers
Magbegor has become one of Australia’s brightest stars while succeeding in multiple professional leagues.
Strengths
- Elite shot blocker
- WNBL champion
- Defensive excellence
11. Alanna Smith
WNBA: Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, Minnesota Lynx
EuroLeague Women: Polish and Turkish clubs
WNBL: Melbourne Boomers
Smith has steadily expanded her game through international competition.
Highlights
- Elite defender
- WNBL champion
- Valuable international experience
12. Emma Meesseman
WNBA: Washington Mystics, New York Liberty
EuroLeague Women: UMMC Ekaterinburg, Fenerbahçe
One of Europe’s greatest players, Meesseman seamlessly translated her dominance to the WNBA.
Career accomplishments
- WNBA Finals MVP
- Multiple EuroLeague championships
- EuroLeague MVP
13. Jonquel Jones
WNBA: Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty
EuroLeague Women: UMMC Ekaterinburg, Çukurova Basketbol
Jones developed into an MVP through years of elite international competition.
Highlights
- WNBA MVP
- WNBA champion
- EuroLeague champion
- Finals MVP
14. Alyssa Thomas
WNBA: Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury
EuroLeague Women: Czech Republic, Turkey
Thomas became one of basketball’s premier all-around players while starring in Europe during WNBA offseasons.
Strengths
- Triple-double ability
- Elite defender
- International success
15. Becky Hammon
WNBA: New York Liberty, San Antonio Stars
EuroLeague Women: CSKA Moscow, Ros Casares Valencia
WNBL: Adelaide Lightning
Before becoming one of basketball’s top coaches, Hammon built an outstanding international playing résumé.
Career profile
- Six-time WNBA All-Star
- EuroLeague champion
- WNBL experience
- Hall of Fame career
Honorable Mentions
- Sandy Brondello
- Belinda Snell
- Kristi Harrower
- Abby Bishop
- Erin Phillips
- Ticha Penicheiro
- Ann Wauters
- Tina Charles
- Sylvia Fowles
- Natasha Howard
Players Who Excelled Across Multiple Leagues
| Player | WNBA | EuroLeague Women | WNBL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Jackson | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Penny Taylor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Candace Parker | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Becky Hammon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Liz Cambage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sami Whitcomb | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ezi Magbegor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alanna Smith | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lauren Cox | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diana Taurasi | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Sue Bird | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Breanna Stewart | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Emma Meesseman | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Jonquel Jones | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Alyssa Thomas | ✓ | ✓ | — |
The Value of Playing Overseas
| League | What Players Gained |
|---|---|
| WNBA | Elite competition, championships, global exposure |
| EuroLeague Women | High-level tactical basketball, international championships, MVP opportunities |
| WNBL | Extended development, year-round competition, leadership opportunities, strong international competition |
Final Thoughts
For decades, many of the WNBA’s greatest careers were built across multiple continents. Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor became icons in Australia, Europe, and the United States, while stars like Breanna Stewart, Emma Meesseman, Jonquel Jones, and Diana Taurasi added EuroLeague championships to already extraordinary WNBA résumés. These multi-league journeys not only strengthened individual careers but also helped connect women’s basketball across the globe, raising the standard of play in every competition they entered.