{"id":539865,"date":"2026-03-23T05:09:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T05:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/539865\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T05:09:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T05:09:08","slug":"minnesota-lynx-offseason-update-vol-15-qualifying-for-world-cup-prepping-for-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/539865\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Lynx Offseason Update Vol. 15: Qualifying for World Cup, Prepping for Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Welcome to a new Lynx Offseason Update! And this isn\u2019t just a normal update, it\u2019s Lynx Offseason Update: We Will Actually Have a WNBA Season edition!<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Since we last checked in with you, the WNBA and players\u2019 union finally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canishoopus.com\/minnesota-lynx\/65270\/wnba-wnbpa-agree-to-new-cba-deal-napheesa-collier-minnesota-lynx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">agreed to terms of a new, historic Collective Bargaining Agreement<\/a>, resulting in the upcoming WNBA season taking place as planned. Which means the next month will be complete chaos.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">But for multiple Minnesota Lynx players, the offseason has continued \u2014 and already ended for a few \u2014 for players worldwide as they prepare for the upcoming WNBA season. underway in Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">This offseason, there are 12 Lynx players playing across the globe, those players being Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carlton, Jessica Shepard, Maia Hirsch, Dorka Juh\u00e1sz, Maria Kliundikova, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, Camryn Taylor and Jaylyn Sherrod. Napheesa Collier, who was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canishoopus.com\/minnesota-lynx\/63469\/minnesota-lynx-players-preparing-start-unrivaled-napheesa-collier-courtney-williams-natisha-hiedeman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">supposed to take part in Unrivaled<\/a>, missed the season due to having surgery on both ankles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Let\u2019s take a look at where those Lynx players are playing, how they\u2019ve done as of late, how they are performing so far this offseason or how they finished their offseason.<\/p>\n<p>Alanna Smith \u2014 Mist (Unrivaled), Australia (World Cup Qualfying)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Smith began her offseason playing in Unrivaled, where she helped the Mist take home the Unrivaled championship. Now with that season over, she is now returning to represent her home country of Australia in World Cup Qualifying action in Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In Qualifying play, Smith helped her squad to a perfect 5-0 record, which led Australia to the top finish in Istanbul while earning a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women\u2019s Basketball World Cup in Germany in September.<\/p>\n<p>World Cup Qualifying: 5 games \u2014 11.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPGUnrivaled: 14 games \u2014 9.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.5 SPGMarch 17 vs. Canada (82-76 win): 12 points (5-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), eight rebounds, three assists and two steals over 27 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Kayla McBride \u2014 Fenerbah\u00e7e (Turkey)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McBride is back at her second home in Turkey while returning to play for Turkish powerhouse Fenerbah\u00e7e. Though some expected her to return to play in Unrivaled this offseason, McBride chose to start the offseason overseas with a team that is special to her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McBride began her season overseas strong, providing a two-way showing for the Turkish powerhouse. Since she last took the court in early March, McBride has returned to the states and has been <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/minnesotalynx\/status\/2034363244479959328\" rel=\"nofollow\">working out at the Lynx facility<\/a> over the past few weeks. It\u2019s not known at this time whether or not she plans to return to Turkey or will remain in the country leading up to the WNBA season.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey-KBSL: 16 games \u2014 13.0 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 SPGEuroLeague: 10 games \u2014 14.1 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.7 SPGMarch 3 vs. Kayseri (95-59 win): seven points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three assists and one rebound over 13 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Bridget Carleton \u2014 USK Praha (Czech Republic), Canada (World Cup Qualifying)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Carleton has spent her offseason with USK Praha in the Czech Republic this offseason, but she is currently representing her home country of Canada during the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Carleton and Canada concluded World Cup Qualifying action with a 2-3 record, failing to qualify for the 2026 Women\u2019s Basketball World Cup in September. Right after that, Carleton jumped right back into Czech Republic-ZBL action with USK Praha<\/p>\n<p>World Cup Qualifying: 5 games \u2014 13.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPGCzech Republic-ZBL: 13 games \u2014 11.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPGEuroLeague: 11 games \u2014 12.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPGMarch 17 vs. Australia (82-76 loss): 17 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal over 39 minutesMarch 21 vs. Brandys (113-63 win): seven points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and one steal over seven minutes<\/p>\n<p>Jessica Shepard \u2014 Famila Schio (Italy)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Shepard is in a new country this offseason after spending last offseason in Greece, taking the court with Italian power Famila Schio. She has played in Greece, Israel and Italy so far in her career.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Shepard has put up some impressive numbers in Italy this offseason, once again being a double-double machine like we\u2019ve been accustomed to seeing. Over the past week, Shepard had a near and Famila Schio didn\u2019t take part in any games.<\/p>\n<p>Italy-Serie A1: 18 games \u2014 17.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPGEuroLeague: 15 games \u2014 17.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPGFeb. 28 vs. San Giovanni (79-54 win): nine points (4-8 FG), 15 rebounds and four assists over 29 minutesMarch 3 vs. Venezia (62-51 loss): 16 points (8-13 FG), 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals over 37 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Maria Kliundikova \u2014 UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kliundiokva, who was a midseason arrival for Minnesota and ended up with a nice role off the bench for the Lynx, is back in her home country of Russia this offseason playing for UMMC Ekateringburg alongside soon-to-be second-year Lynx forward Anastasiia Olairi Kosu.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kliundikova has put together a balanced offseason so far, helping her squad offensively and on the boards while also impacting other areas of the game. Over the past week, Kliundikova and UMMC Ekateringburg returned to action, with Kliundikova dropping her second double-double in the last three games.<\/p>\n<p>Russia-PBL: 22 games \u2014 12.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPGMarch 21 vs. Enisey (74-52 win): 16 points (7-12 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block over 16 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Dorka Juh\u00e1sz \u2014 Galatasaray (Turkey), Hungary (World Cup Qualifying)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Juh\u00e1sz has spent her WNBA offseason playing for Galatasaray in Turkey, but she has taken a break from that to represent her home country of Hungary in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Juh\u00e1sz led Hungary to a 3-2 record in World Cup Qualifying play, resulting in Hungary qualifying for the 2026 Women\u2019s Basketball World Cup in Germany this September. Along with the, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiba.basketball\/en\/events\/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye\/news\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Juh\u00e1sz was also named to the All-Star Five<\/a> in Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p>World Cup Qualifying: 5 games \u2014 18.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 1.0 APG, 0.8 SPGTurkey-KBSL: 14 games \u2014 11.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPGEuroLeague: 17 games \u2014 13.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 BPGMarch 17 vs. Turkey (89-74 win): 24 points (9-18 FG, 2-5 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and two steals over 34 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Anastasiia Olairi Kosu \u2014 UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kosu is back home in Russia this offseason, playing with fellow Lynx teammate Maria Kliundikova with UMMC Ekateringburg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kosu, who Minnesota is hoping continues to develop leading into her second WNBA campaign, has gotten off to a nice start in Russia this offseason. Over the past week, Kosu and UMMC Ekateringburg returned to action, with Kosu nearing double figures in scoring.<\/p>\n<p>Russia-PBL: 19 games \u2014 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 BPGMarch 21 vs. Enisey (74-52 win): eight points (3-7 FG), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 15 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Maia Hirsch \u2014 Charleville-Mezieres (France)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">We have yet to see Hirsch in the WNBA after being drafted by the Lynx in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Draft, but she continues to play in France this offseason as she continues to develop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After an up-and-down offseason last year, Hirsch is off to a nice start to this offseason with some additional time on the floor as well. Over the past week, Hirsch and Charleville-Mezieres didn\u2019t take part in any action.<\/p>\n<p>Franco-BWL: 17 games \u2014 7.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.2 SPGEuroLeague: 10 games \u2014 5.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPGMarch 7 vs. Basket Landes (68-59 loss): no points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two assists over six minutes<\/p>\n<p>Camryn Taylor \u2014 Landerneau (France)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Taylor, who joined the Lynx late in the 2025 WNBA season and was part of the playoff run, has moved from Greece last offseason to France and Landerneau Bretagne Basket this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Taylor had a slow start to the offseason schedule, but has picked things up as of late with two straight double-digit outings. Over the past week, Taylor and Landerneau didn\u2019t take part in any games.<\/p>\n<p>France-BWL: 9 games \u2014 5.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.2 SPG, 0.1 APG, 0.1 BPGMarch 7 vs. Monpellier (65-59 win): four points (2-2 FG) and three rebounds over eight minutes<\/p>\n<p>Courtney Williams \u2014 Breeze (Unrivaled)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Williams returned to Unrivaled for the second season after being one of the first 32 players to make up the inaugural season a year ago. After spending last season with the Lunar Owls, Williams began the 2026 season with Vinyl before she was traded to Breeze.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">This season, Williams did a nice job in distributing and contributing on the boards despite having a bit of an up-and-down start to the year offensively. She took part in 14 games, contributing in numerous areas of the game.<\/p>\n<p>Unrivaled: 14 games \u2014 7.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG<\/p>\n<p>Natisha Hiedeman \u2014 Hive (Unrivaled)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hiedeman returned to Unrivaled for the second straight season after bouncing around to three different teams \u2014 Phantom, Laces and Rose \u2014 during the inaugural season. Hiedeman concluded the year with Rose and helped them to an Unrivaled Championship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">With Hive, one of the two newest teams to Unrivaled in 2026, Hiedeman contributed coming off the bench and took part in 12 games with Hive.<\/p>\n<p>Unrivaled: 12 games \u2014 6.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG<\/p>\n<p>Jaylyn Sherrod \u2014 Rhythm (Athletes Unlimited)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Sherrod spent her offseason staying in the country this offseason, taking part in Athletes Unlimited\u2019s fifth season, which began earlier this February and concluded after four weeks in Nashville.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Sherrod was one of 40 players participating in the fast-paced, full-court, 5-on-5 league this season, finishing just under double figures in scoring on the season.<\/p>\n<p>Athletes Unlimited: 12 games \u2014 9.2 PPG, 2.8 APG, 2.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">That will do it for this week. As always, thank you for reading! We will catch up with you next week with another Lynx Offseason Update.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to a new Lynx Offseason Update! And this isn\u2019t just a normal update, it\u2019s Lynx Offseason Update:&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":539866,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[1077,99,434],"class_list":["post-539865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-minnesota-lynx","tag-sports","tag-wnba"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/539865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=539865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/539865\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/539866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=539865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=539865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=539865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}