Minnesota Lynx Offseason Update Vol. 11: Lighting it Up From Three
A new week brings a fresh edition of the Lynx Offseason Update! Despite the ongoing CBA negotiations between the WNBA and the players' union, we're assuming a deal has been reached and the players are gearing up for the upcoming season. The Minnesota Lynx and their players are embracing this assumption and continuing their offseason training globally.
The 12 Lynx players are: Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard, Maia Hirsch, Dorka Juhász, Maria Kliundikova, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, Camryn Taylor, and Jaylyn Sherrod. Napheesa Collier, who was set to join Unrivaled, will miss the season due to ankle surgery, requiring 4-6 months of recovery.
Let's explore the players' current teams, recent performances, and offseason activities.
Courtney Williams - Breeze (Unrivaled)
Williams returns to Unrivaled for a second season, having participated in the inaugural season. She started with the Lunar Owls but was traded to Breeze. This season, she's excelled at distribution and rebounding, despite a mixed start offensively. In the past week, she had a strong performance, scoring a season-high 15 points in one game and nearly reaching double digits in the other.
Season Stats:
* Unrivaled: 12 games — 8.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 17 vs. Lunar Owls (75-70 loss): 15 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven assists, five rebounds, one steal (19 minutes)
* Feb. 21 vs. Vinyl (77-56 win): 9 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four assists, two steals, one rebound (11 minutes)
Alanna Smith - Mist (Unrivaled)
Smith, a professional player, is spending her offseason in the U.S. for the first time. She's had a strong start with The Mist, contributing offensively and defensively. In the past week, she had a quieter performance due to limited playing time, but her team secured victories.
Season Stats:
* Unrivaled: 12 games — 8.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.4 SPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 9 vs. Rose (90-64 win): 4 points (2-2 FG), four rebounds, three assists (6 minutes)
* Feb. 21 vs. Lunar Owls (92-73 win): 4 points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist, one steal (6 minutes)
Natisha Hiedeman - Hive (Unrivaled)
Hiedeman returns to Unrivaled for a second season, having played for three teams in the inaugural season. She concluded with Rose and helped them win the Unrivaled Championship. With Hive, a new team in 2026, she's contributed from the bench.
Season Stats:
* Unrivaled: 12 games — 6.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 17 vs. Laces (76-71 loss): 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists (11 minutes)
* Feb. 20 vs. Rose (80-78 win): 5 points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, one steal (6 minutes)
Kayla McBride - Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
McBride is back in Turkey, her second home, playing for Fenerbahçe. She chose to start her offseason in Turkey, a special team for her. Her performances have been strong, showcasing her skills on both ends of the court.
Season Stats:
* Turkey-KBSL: 13 games — 13.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.5 RPG, 0.9 SPG
* EuroLeague: 9 games — 13.8 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 18 vs. Girona (87-69 win): 18 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3Pt), four assists, three rebounds, three steals (31 minutes)
* Feb. 21 vs. CBK Mersin (94-70 win): 24 points (9-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, two steals (29 minutes)
Bridget Carleton - USK Praha (Czech Republic)
Carleton is in the Czech Republic, her seventh country, joining Australia, Spain, France, Hungary, Israel, and Turkey. She's excelled in the Czech Republic-ZBL and EuroLeague, showcasing her versatility.
Season Stats:
* Czech Republic-ZBL: 12 games — 12.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
* EuroLeague: 10 games — 13.3 PPG, 3.76 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 18 vs. Zaragoza (82-71 loss): 12 points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, one steal (34 minutes)
* Feb. 21 vs. SBS Ostrava (87-66 win): 17 points (6-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt), 12 rebounds, three assists (21 minutes)
Jessica Shepard - Famila Schio (Italy)
Shepard, who spent last offseason in Greece, is now in Italy with Famila Schio. She's a double-double machine, showcasing her versatility.
Season Stats:
* Italy-Serie A1: 17 games — 17.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG
* EuroLeague: 13 games — 16.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 SPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 18 vs. Venezia (68-66 win): 16 points (8-14 FG), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal (33 minutes)
* Feb. 21 vs. Scrivia (65-57 win): 22 points (9-18 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 14 rebounds, one steal (28 minutes)
Maria Kliundikova - UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)
Kliundikova, a midseason addition to the Lynx, is back in Russia with UMMC Ekateringburg, alongside Anastasiia Olairi Kosu. She's had a balanced offseason, contributing offensively and defensively.
Season Stats:
* Russia-PBL: 18 games — 11.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 19 vs. Spartak (88-60 win): six points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two steals, one assist, one block (15 minutes)
Dorka Juhász - Galatasaray (Turkey)
Juhász, who missed the 2025 WNBA season, is playing in Turkey this season. She's made an impact on both ends of the court, showcasing her balanced skills.
Season Stats:
* Turkey-KBSL: 12 games — 12.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
* EuroLeague: 15 games — 13.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 19 vs. Landes (81-72 win): 21 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt), 10 rebounds (30 minutes)
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu - UMMC Ekateringburg (Russia)
Kosu, who Minnesota hopes will develop, is back in Russia with UMMC Ekateringburg. She's had a strong start to the offseason.
Season Stats:
* Russia-PBL: 15 games — 10.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 APG, 0.4 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 19 vs. Spartak (88-60 win): DNP
Maia Hirsch - Charleville-Mezieres (France)
Hirsch, drafted by the Lynx in 2023, continues to play in France as she develops. She's had a mixed offseason, but is off to a good start.
Season Stats:
* Franco-BWL: 16 games — 8.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.2 SPG
* EuroLeague: 10 games — 5.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 22 vs. Chartres (85-82 win): four points (2-6 FG), one rebound (13 minutes)
Jaylyn Sherrod - Glow (Athletes Unlimited)
Sherrod is participating in Athletes Unlimited's fifth season, which started in Nashville. She's had a strong week, scoring a season-high 15 points in one game.
Season Stats:
* Athletes Unlimited: 9 games — 8.4 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.6 RPG, 1.3 SPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 18 vs. Rhythm (80-78 win): 15 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, three steals, two assists (25 minutes)
* Feb. 20 vs. Eclipse (89-83 loss): nine points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two assists (14 minutes)
* Feb. 21 vs. Gold Rush (84-71 loss): 11 points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven assists, five rebounds, one steal (26 minutes)
Camryn Taylor - Landerneau (France)
Taylor, who joined the Lynx late in 2025, has moved to France and Landerneau Bretagne Basket. She's had a slow start but is improving.
Season Stats:
* France-BWL: 8 games — 5.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 APG, 0.1 BPG
Recent Games:
* Feb. 20 vs. Angers (61-51 win): 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, one steal (16 minutes)
Thank you for reading! We'll be back next week with another update.
