Will the highly rated Yakin Dogu Universitesi really challenge for honors on their debut?
ISTANBUL (EuroLeague Women) – With the EuroCup Women title sat proudly in their trophy cabinet, Yakin Dogu Universitesi are making a step up to EuroLeague Women and won’t be here to make up the numbers.
History: This is the first season in the competition for the Istanbul-based side, who were born out of a merger between BGD and Yakin Dogu a couple of years ago. They have had an incredible journey, as they not only finished top of the EuroCup Women podium in 2016-17, they also won the Turkish Cup and Turkish Championship for the first time. They also played in their first SuperCup Women Final this week, losing at Dynamo Kursk.
Major arrivals: Ann Wauters, Jantel Lavender, Kim Mestdagh, Cansu Koksal.
Major departures: Angel Robinson, Yelena Leuchanka, Essence Carson, Anna Vajda.
Players to watch: You have got to think that the combination of Wauters and Lavender will give the frontcourt a real hard-nosed, classy and efficient base for the team to build around and certainly these two additions are huge – especially in the context of the highly physical and focused Quanitra Hollingsworth coming back.
Life is a 🏖️ for @QHollingsworth9 of @TurkishBBall ! Shows the quick 👐 on defense to go coast to coast @YDU_Melekleri #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/HAsnMUS5Wo
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) October 5, 2017
But, the fact that point guard Courtney Vandersloot and shooting ace Kayla McBride are back playing together again is reason to think that Yakin Dogu can really punch the EuroLeague Women weight.
Both players were exceptional last season in every way, perhaps two of the most high-performing players on the Continent and if they bring their 'A-game' then this lineup really could be something special.
Flashback: It was earlier this year when Yakin Dogu Universitesi won their first title in European club competition and they did it on their home court. Their maiden EuroCup Women title looked unlikely during a flat performance against Agu Spor, but a late rally turned things on its head and they managed to write a memorable note of history.
Outlook: The newbies have the personnel they need to enjoy a highly fruitful opening campaign in this tournament as despite winning silverware last year, they have not shown any complacency. They have actually went out and improved their team even further and there will also be a big role to play for another new arrival in Belgium national team wing Kim Mestdagh, perhaps even coming off the bench as she looks to showcase her shooting skills.
In a season that will be demanding in the same way as EuroCup Women with games coming thick and fast, this will be about the entire squad and so players like Bahar Caglar, Olcay Cakir and Elin Eldebrink for example, will need to be ready to contribute behind the biggest-hitters. Ultimately, Yakin Dogu can put out a starting (or finishing) five as good as the likes of title favorites Dynamo Kursk and UMMC, so this highlights why they must be respected and can think about the Final Four.
FIBA
