With the Aces hoisting their third championship trophy in four years, the 2025 WNBA season is over. A majority of the league’s players will take the court before the next W season tips off (hopefully) in 2026. 

Founded in 2020, Athletes Unlimited was the first organization to offer WNBA players a competitive platform during the offseason without having to go overseas – giving those who preferred to stay stateside a collaborative space to come together, compete, and grow the game on a domestic level. Three years later, thanks to the creation of Unrivaled, the women’s three-on-three basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, women’s basketball fans can now continue watching their favorite players also on a different format, with a vast number of WNBA players competing in it. The inaugural season of Unrivaled, which took place in Medley, Florida, began in January 2025 and was a huge success. It offered fans a chance to enjoy a different style of basketball played by the best players in the world, and it also provided players the opportunity to receive the highest average salaries in U.S women’s professional sports.

In the meantime, most of the remaining WNBA players have already headed overseas, as the EuroLeague, EuroCup, and various national league seasons have recently begun. As every year, the level of competition is high, with teams across the world loaded with talent. Below, you will find a brief preview of the European teams that, on paper, feature the most talent and the most familiar names for WNBA fans.

 

Top Euro Clubs to Monitor

One of the first teams that impressed me with their offseason moves, which display many names already known by WNBA devotees, is Beretta Famila Schio. After winning three of the last four Italian Championships (just a small portion of the many titles that this club has collected over the years), Schio remains the most decorated team in Italy. Now, under the leadership of the new head coach Victor Lapeña, they have already presented themselves really well with their first home competition, securing the Italian Supercup after defeating Reyer Venezia by 12 points, despite the absences of key players who were still competing in the WNBA Playoffs: Cecilia Zandalasini (Golden State Valkyries), Jessica Shepard (Minnesota Lynx), and Kitija Laksa (Phoenix Mercury). In addition to those three WNBA standouts, Schio added many other impactful players: Maria Conde (whose rights are currently held by the Golden State Valkyries), who has returned from injury and is already looking as dominant as ever; Anete Šteinberga, Marième Badiane (who spent part of the WNBA season with the Minnesota Lynx), and Kim Mestdagh (who played for the Washington Mystics in 2019). Importantly, Schio also re-signed an exceptional core of Italian players whose experience and skill add depth to this roster. This team is going to be a lot of fun to watch!

Another EuroLeague team that has significantly strengthened its roster for this upcoming season is Galatasaray Çagdas Faktoring. Their roster is composed of Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams, New York Liberty guard Marine Johannès, and several other players with WNBA experience as Awak Kuier (Dallas Wings’ former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft), Dorka Juhász (Minnesota Lynx), and Kamiah Smalls (who signed a seven-day contract with the Atlanta Dream in August 2025). The talent is surely not missing, and fans are having high expectations from this team. With a roster full of experience and players who bring a unique flair to the court, Galatasaray promises to be one of the most exciting teams to follow this upcoming season. 

The team that has been Europe’s biggest powerhouse in recent years is Turkey’s Fenerbahçe. As one of the most decorated clubs in the competition, their latest additions make it clear that they desire to chase another title. In the offseason, they added major talent: Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty), Iliana Rupert (Golden State Valkyries), Monique Billings (Golden State Valkyries, also part of the roster for the second season of Unrivaled), Megan Gustafson (Las Vegas Aces), Rebecca Allen (Chicago Sky), and Teaira McCowan (Dallas Wings). McCowan returns to reinforce the frontcourt in light of Dominique Malonga’s (Seattle Storm) absence amid the ongoing dispute with the club, which leaves the French star’s future with the team uncertain. On top of these incorporations, the team already boasted an impressive WNBA quartet: Emma Meesseman (New York Liberty), Julie Allemand (Los Angeles Sparks), Sevgi Uzun (Chicago Sky), and Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx), who surprised many fans with her recent comeback to the team. 

 

KAYLA! KAYLA! KAYLA! 👌@kaymac_2123 #PotanınKraliçeleri#EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/OBVGZLHTjM

— Fenerbahçe Opet (@fbkadinbasket) October 22, 2025

 

Their roster is absolutely packed, with arguably the most profound frontcourt in the entire competition. Fenerbahçe has won two of the last three EuroLeague titles and has finished in the top three every year since 2020. The pressure is on, but with this level of talent, one thing is sure: this is going to be one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season. 

 

Threats to the Top Dogs

ZVVZ USK Praha is the team that snapped Fenerbahçe’s potential three-peat last season. The Czech squad won the EuroLeague, and it felt like a Cinderella story, as they started from the quarterfinals, then upset the reigning back-to-back champions in the semifinals, and finished their magical run by overcoming Mersin’s full-of-talent roster in the final. They surely lost some key pieces from last season’s roster, but they reloaded with rising stars who are more than ready for the challenge and have already shown that they belong. One standout is Pauline Astier ­­– one of the top under-25 players in Europe – who is already turning heads, and we will hopefully see her make her mark in the WNBA as well. They also added 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team selection Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries) and Kaitlyn Chen (Golden State Valkyries, also part of the Athletes Unlimited’s 2026 roster) to further strengthen their young core. Praha did not stop there, also bringing in Bridget Carleton (Minnesota Lynx) and Makayla Timpson (Indiana Fever), while re-signing veteran center Brionna Jones (Atlanta Dream) and valuable European assets in Valériane Ayayi (former San Antonio Stars player), Maite Cazorla (Former Atlanta Dream No. 23 overall pick in the 2019 draft), and Emese Hof. With a blend of emerging stars and experienced talent, it is going to be another thrilling season for Praha, and this young and hungry roster is going to surely electrify fans once again. 

Another young team with a vast Spanish flair is Valencia Basket Club. Despite having a tough start to the season with a loss in the Spanish SuperCup, Valencia is home to a great deal of young and fresh talent mixed with experienced international players. Veteran leadership comes from names like Leonie Fiebich (New York Liberty), Alina Iagupova, Kayla Alexander, alongside a solid Spanish core featuring Raquel Carrera (drafted by Atlanta Dream as No. 15 overall pick in 2021 and then traded to New York), Queralt Casas, María Araújo, and Leticia Romero (Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun former player). On the younger side, rising star Awa Fam (born in 2006) and Elena Buenavida (born in 2004) are set to play integral roles in this team – and they are already adding energy and spark on the court. A team with Iagupova on the roster is always going to be a contender in the EuroLeague. If you are a WNBA fan, you may not recognize her name, as she never crossed the ocean to display her talents in the WNBA, but it is fair to say that she might be the most talented player never to play in the league. 

Parallel to the above cited Valencia and Zaragova, Girona is the other Spanish team to watch closely this season. The variety of international talents is remarkable for this young and high-energy squad, making them a must-follow in the EuroLeague. Laeticia Amihere (Golden State Valkyries) and Chloe Bibby (Indiana Fever) are the two most recognizable names for U.S. fans, but there is also another exciting prospect that did not make the debut in the big league yet but has been making waves in Europe: Justė Jocytė (Golden State Valkyries, No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 draft). After a standout summer with the Lithuanian Senior National Team, it will be fascinating to see how the 19-year-old guard will handle an even more important leadership role on a EuroLeague stage at such a young age. 

 

🧊 Ice. Cold. Jocyte. 🥶#EuroLeagueWomen x @jocytee | @unigirona pic.twitter.com/MWLmfzJoRU

— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) October 22, 2025

 

A fellow countrywoman of Justė Jocytė is Eglė Šventoraite, who used her size and skill to become a key contributor to the exciting brand of basketball that Lithuania showcased at EuroBasket 2025; and this season she is set to compete for Athinaikos Qualco – a club based in Athens that has made serious investments into women’s basketball in recent years. Last year, Athinaikos brought to Athens big names like Joynes Holmes (who was part of the Las Vegas Aces roster this past season), Jessica Shepard (Minnesota Lynx), and Ashley Joens (who has played for Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, and Phoenix Mercury). This year, head coach Styliani Kaltsidou has built an even more impressive roster. She added Elena Tsineke (who was part of the Las Vegas Aces’ training camp), Alexis Prince (who was with Phoenix Mercury for part of the season this past year), Robyn Parks (who was with Connecticut Sun through part of the season), Ivana Raca (Los Angeles Sparks former No. 28 overall pick in the 2021 draft), Kamila Borkowska (Connecticut Sun training camp invitee), Holly Winterburn (who was part of the Atlanta Dream roster but had to be sidelined for the entire 2025 WNBA season due to an injury), and the previously mentioned Eglė Šventoraite. Athinaikos is shaping up to be one of the most competitive teams in the EuroCup this season, and they will definitely be a fun team to follow! 

See Also

 

Don’t Count Out These Clubs

Another EuroCup team that will undoubtedly be an enjoyment to watch this season is Perfumerías Avenida. One of the most experienced clubs in the competition, Avenida also holds a EuroLeague title from 2011 and is looking to add to its rich European pedigree some more accolades. At the center of their season is rising star Iyana Martín (born in 2006), who was named the EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year last season. The young phenom will be surrounded by a strong group of experienced players as Abby Meyers (No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 draft by the Dallas Wings), Shavonte Zellous (who, at 39, is still making plays in Europe after a long WNBA career), Regan Magarity (No. 33 overall pick by the Connecticut Sun in 2019) and Khadijah Cave (who took part in Washington Mystics training camp). It will be fascinating to see how coach Montañana balances the experience of his veteran-heavy roster with a 19-year-old star leading the way. Avenida has a great mix of veteran talent and rising youth, which makes them a really intriguing team to follow this season.  

The last team competing in Europe that is worth watching to catch some of your favorite WNBA players in action is CIMSA CBK Mersin. The club changed the on-court leadership and appointed former Schio’s head coach Georgios Dikaioulakos, and inserted important pieces to the roster with Julie Vanloo (Los Angeles Sparks), Luisa Geiselsöder (Dallas Wings), Bria Hartley (Connecticut Sun), Kennedy Burke (New York Liberty), and Laura Juškaitė. While Juškaitė might not yet be a household name in the US, she has already showcased her talents on the European stage – both this summer at EuroBasket and in the previous seasons – proving herself as a versatile and impactful forward. The overall talent is definitely there, and Çukurova has been a consistent competitor at the highest European level. Since the club was founded in 2015, the team has reached the EuroLeague final twice in the past three years (2023 and 2025) and has fallen short by a tiny bit both times. With such a high standard already set, it will be captivating to watch them chase once again for that European crown.  

 

Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited

Last but not definitely not least, we return to where this piece began: Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited. The 3v3 women’s basketball league has officially revealed 46 of the 48 players set to participate in Season 2 (you can find the complete list at the end of the article), with negotiations still ongoing for the final two spots. The excitement generated by its inaugural season has left fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this groundbreaking competition. 

Season 2 will tip off on January 5th in Philadelphia, and the promises to build on the fresh, high-paced style that made the league such a hit are big. The three-on-three format offers a different, faster, more dynamic, and individual skill-sets centered basketball. The court features two baskets and is a little shorter than a standard court but has the same width, allowing for a high-tempo pace with more space for 1on1 action and showcase of each player’s flair. Another exciting element is the modified shot clock – 18 seconds for a full possession and 12 seconds on resets – which lets the game keep moving. Plus, the league set different regulations in terms of the length of the game. As a matter of fact, the league uses an Elam Ending finish, which means that the final quarter is played to a target score of 11 points higher than the total of the team leading at the end of the third quarter. It is a format designed to keep the fans engaged, and it really worked its magic, as with its creative approach, Unrivaled has quickly become an essential part of the women’s basketball calendar. 

Roster of Unrivaled Season 2:

Alyssa Thomas
Rickea Jackson
Satou Sabally
Paige Bueckers
Saniya Rivers
Erica Wheeler
Breanna Stewart
Lexie Hull
Azurá Stevens
Jackie Young
Sonia Citron
Veronica Burton
Kate Martin
Dearica Hamby
Natasha Cloud
Aaliyah Edwards
Kiki Iriafen
Monique Billings
Napheesa Collier
Rae Burrell
Chelsea Gray
Brittney Sykes
Kelsey Mitchell
Naz Hillmon
Kahleah Copper
Allisha Gray
Shakira Austin
Courtney Williams
Sug Sutton
Natisha Hiedeman
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Rhyne Howard
Aliyah Boston
Ezi Magbegor
Rachel Banham
Cameron Brink
Arike Ogunbowale
Marina Mabrey
DiJonai Carrington
Maddy Siegrist
Alanna Smith
Jordin Canada
Li Yueru
Kelsey Plum
Dana Evans
To be announced
To be announced

 

On the other hand, Athletes Unlimited features 40 of the best women’s basketball players in the world, competing in a high level league. The season is set to start February 4th, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, and the format is the same as the WNBA, with a 5vs5 game. However, the scoring system changes, as there is a running leaderboard that counts points for each player individually. With this different setup, teams change weekly, which brings excitement to the tournament as you will see different combinations of players mixed to compete with and against each other. It is a great way of empowering women’s basketball players and gives the fans a chance to follow their favorite players in the offseason in an inclusive, constantly-evolving, high-energy experience. 

So, if you haven’t started watching yet, now is the time! EuroLeague and EuroCup games normally air every Wednesday and Thursday, while Unrivaled (starting in January) and Athletes Unlimited (starting in February) will both have three game nights a week. If you are a WNBA fan, this is your opportunity to keep following your favorite players and keep an eye on them competing at the highest levels, both overseas and in the United States. The professional women’s basketball game does not stop with the WNBA season; it just shifts courts.  

Roster of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball 2026:

Ariel Atkins
Sarah Ashlee Barker
Kierstan Bell
Lexie Brown
Tina Charles
Kaitlyn Chen
Alysha Clark
Alaina Coates
Sydney Colson
Bree Hall
Isabelle Harrison
Deja Kelly
Natasha Mack
Aneesah Morrow
Kia Nurse
Aaliyah Nye
Te-Hina Paopao
Theresa Plaisance
Jacy Sheldon
Jaylyn Sherrod
Odyssey Sims
NaLyssa Smith
Kiah Stokes
Brianna Turner