Roundup: Yakin Dogu Universitesi ready to make a splash on debut
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) – Having conquered EuroCup Women last season, Yakin Dogu Universitesi are preparing to make a major impact during their rookie EuroLeague Women campaign after strengthening their already stacked roster.
The ambitious Turkish side will welcome Belgium national team duo Kim Mestdagh and Ann Wauters to Istanbul, with the pair having already had a memorable 2017 after leading their country to a historic bronze medal at FIBA EuroBasket Women Final Round.
WELCOME @Kelseyplum10! pic.twitter.com/aHuvC5qBDj
— Fenerbahce_EN (@Fenerbahce_EN) June 28, 2017
Focusing on other new arrivals in Group B, Yakin Dogu's arch domestic rivals Fenerbahce will continue their long-running quest to belatedly land a first-ever EuroLeague Women title. They've turned to number one WNBA Draft pick Kelsey Plum to lead them in the backcourt in what will be her maiden campaign.
She is joined by naturalized Czech Republic star Kia Vaughn, who is a former EuroLeague Women winner and MVP, while Turkey national team center Tilbe Senyurek is also an incomer and will compete with Vaughn for minutes under the hoop.
Nadezhda have undergone a major roster overhaul and it's a similar picture at Wisla Can-Pack who also have a new play-caller.
The Krakow-based side are rebuilding with the likes of veteran Maurita Reid who knows Polish basketball well. There is also a slot for FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 champion Leonor Rodrqiguez, while Lithuanian Giedre Paugaite will link up with Cheyenne Parker in the paint.
Slovenia standout Eva Lisec is making a return to Famila Schio after some time in Hungary, only this time she will be playing under newly installed play-caller Pierre Vincent, with the Italian powerhouse having also snapped up Italian guard, Francesca Dotto.
CB Avenida welcome back a former favorite in the form of the towering Angelica Robinson and she will be joined in the frontcourt by Spain's ever-reliable Laura Nicholls. Fans will also be hoping that Ukraine's naturalized guard D'Andra Moss is able to put her disappointing FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 behind her.
UMMC Ekaterinburg have vowed to retain the core of their roster, although they have opted to add a Russian pair in the experience Elena Beglova and recently crowned FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup winner, Raisa Musina.
BLMA and Hungarian newcomers KSC Szekszard will tussle in the Qualifiers as they try to secure a slot in the Regular Season.
Montpellier will be confident of progressing having lured experienced Italian guard Giorgia Sottana – as well as Polish legend Ewelina Kobryn.
KSC Szekszard have attracted Serbian forward Sara Krnjic from Sopron and have also received a significant boost with the arrival of Slovenian playmaker Teja Oblak via Good Angels Kosice.
FIBA
