NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – Four of the biggest names in the women’s game have all made big moves in recently and all have been of huge interest.

Candace Parker

There are few, if any more recognisable women’s players on the planet as Parker.

The USA forward recently opted to head to China to play in the WCBA on a short-term deal which is an important decision in an Olympic year, with Rio on the horizon.

This came off the back of her calling time on EuroLeague Women after an eye-popping seven seasons at UMMC Ekaterinburg. I say that, because seeing out seven harsh Russian winters so far away from the sunshine of California really is quite something.

Now suiting up with Guangdong who finished 2-12, she has transformed their prospects. With Parker on board, they beat Shenyang in the Play-Off Quarter-Finals who had been 12-2.

And, Parker has also just penned a deal to return to the Los Angeles Sparks!

Dumerc described it as a new challenge and perhaps moving to the same part of the country as her hometown of Tarbes, was perhaps also a pull-factor. And her popularity was highlighted by the sheer number of interactions on twitter which was phenomenal!

Whether there is anything more behind the decision of Dumerc or things have broken down I don’t know – but as she moves on, Bourges have to turn a new page and replacing a world class player won’t be easy.

In reality, Dumerc deserved a send-off by Bourges making EuroLeague Women Final Four. That has fallen spectacularly flat and is out of the window. Only lifting EuroCup Women silverware will put things right and be the goodbye this quite fabulous player deserves.

Emma Meesseman

Meesseman has penned a deal to go from Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje to UMMC Ekaterinburg.

I have always loved her game and first saw her play as a 16-year-old with Belgium at the U16 European Championship Women back in 2009 in Naples. Still to this day, one of my top two tournaments ever and much of that was down to the pleasure I had in watching the frontcourt star shine.

It was a magical competition and it became clear that the Meesseman would make it to the top level. Not only because of her play, but because of her work ethic and calmness on the floor.

Since then she has conquered the WNBA with the Washington Mystics - long before most other people expected her too, was chasing down EuroCup Women success with Sparta&K and can now look forward to a potential EuroLeague Women Final Four and maybe even a title.

On top of all that, she has riches beyond her wildest dreams and that is well deserved for someone who is universally heralded as being such a great person - just check out the comments made by Sparta&K who couldn't have given her a more complimentary send-off.

I am also sure she will thank Sparta&K and how they have helped develop her game in recent years – including loaning her to Villleneuve which always seemed like a smart choice.

I just cross my fingers Meesseman gets to play decent minutes in Ekaterinburg and doesn’t take a step backwards as part of an inevitably long UMMC rotation. But then I think she has the talent to actually become one of the leading players and even a starter – that is how much confidence I have [and have always had] in her.

Ann Wauters

UMMC will face Galatasaray in the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals and the Istanbul giants have just signed the legendary Ann Wauters, who will go back for a second term having played with Gala a few seasons ago.

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