Where In The World Are The Aces?
Many WNBA players take their talents overseas during the “offseason,” and the Aces are no exception. In addition to playing in country-specific leagues, some teams also participate in the EuroLeague and EuroCup.
The EuroLeague is the highest professional basketball league in Europe. At the start of the 2021-22 season, 20 teams were vying for the EuroLeague championship. Of those 20 teams, 14 had byes into the regular season, while 6 additional teams participated in late-September qualifying games to determine the final 2 participants.
The 16 teams are broken up into 2 groups of 8 for the regular season which runs from early October through February 1. The top 4 teams from each group qualify for the quarterfinals, which are slated for February 23-March 9. The Semifinals are scheduled for April 8, with the Finals taking place on April 10.
Kelsey Plum (Galatasaray) and Kiah Stokes (Fenerbahce) are playing in the EuroLeague this season. Riquna Williams played for Galatasary earlier in the year.
The EuroCup is an annual second-tier level competition in Europe. At the start of the 2021-22 season, 48 teams were vying for the EuroCup championship.
From mid-October to December 2, 12 groups of 4 teams compete in the regular season. The playoffs feature the top 32 teams, and run from December 15-April 6.
Destiny Slocum (Kayseri) played in the EuroCup this season, but her team failed to advance to the playoffs.
ADDENDUM
On March 2, the FIBA Europe Executive Committee removed all Russian teams in FIBA Europe club competitions until further notice, and added Galatasaray and a handful of other teams to the EuroCup playoffs “in view of recent events in Ukraine.”
EUROCUP
Kelsey Plum—Galatasaray |
x |
EuroCup Averages |
24.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 5.3 apg |
x |
Semifinals (lost 1-0) |
Apr. 5—L, 69-67, vs. Tango Bourges |
21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists |
Box Score |
x |
Third Place Game |
Apr. 7—W, 75-67, vs. Mersin |
16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists |
Box Score |
EUROLEAGUE
Kiah Stokes—Fenerbahce (11-3) |
Schedule Link |
xx |
EuroLeague Averages |
3.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg |
x |
Recent Semifinal Game |
Apr. 8—W, 83-74, vs. USK Praha |
0 points |
Box Score |
x |
Recent Finals Game |
Apr. 10—L, 60-55, vs. Sopron Basket |
Did Not Play |
Box Score |