Transfer Grades: How did each EuroLeague Women club do this summer?
MUNICH (Germany) - The off-season has witnessed plenty of transfer activity for all EuroLeague Women clubs, but which ones have impressed the most with their summer acquisitions?
MUNICH (Germany) - The off-season has witnessed plenty of transfer activity for all EuroLeague Women clubs, but which ones have impressed the most with their summer acquisitions?
Our expert panel has been reviewing the rosters ahead of the Regular Season tip-off and have given each of them grades. These are not focused on the overall quality of the team, but solely on incoming transfers in comparison to those who departed.
ACS Sepsi-SIC
Retained: Zoran Milkes (Coach), Livia Gereben, Bethy Mununga, Lana Mikes, Borislava Hristova, Ioana Toma, Stefanie Catinean
Arrivals: Morgan Green, Masa Jankovic, Ellen Nystrom, Ilinca Belegante, Sarah Dumitrescu, Veatriki Akathiotu
Departures: Khadijah Cave, Petra Botos, Maria Jespersen, Ivana Kmetovska, Anamaria Pop, Annemarie Godri-Parau
Key signing: Morgan Green (from Elte BEAC Budapest)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
This will be a landmark season for ACS Sepsi-SIC who finally get to take the step they have longed for. It will be a huge challenge, but they will proudly take their place. They have made some changes in the summer and while keeping much of the backbone of their side from last year, the two standout additions are Morgan Green and Masa Jankovic. The former especially needs to post a strong rookie season in the backcourt and showed great promise with those 15 assists in the second leg of the Qualifiers.
Basket Landes
Retained: Julie Barennes (Coach), Kendra Chery, Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi
Arrivals: Alexis Peterson, Angela Salvadores, Marie Pardon, Luisa Geiselsoder, Yohana Ewodo, Samantha Fuehring, Sixtine Macquet, Louise Bussiere
Departures: Jillian Harmon, Kristen Mann, Laura Gil, Marine Fauthoux, Regan Magarity, Lidija Turcinovic, Pauline Marrast, Sara Roumy, Marie Eve-Paget
Key signing: Angela Salvadores (from Valencia Basket Club)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
The signing of Salvadores was one that raised eyebrows when it was announced - although not in a bad way, just because it is a fascinating addition and not necessarily viewed as a 'Landes-like signing'. But could she be one of the transfers of the summer? Alexis Peterson is a class act and you have to think that Germany national team forward Luisa Geiselsoder can do good things too.
Beretta Famila Schio
Retained: Giorgios Dikaioulakos (Coach), Jasmine Keys, Ajsa Sivka, Costanza Verona, Martina Crippa, Giorgia Sottana, Martina Bestagno, Elisa Penna
Arrivals: Julia Reisingerova, Arella Guirantes, Dorka Juhasz, Florencia Chagas, Carlotta Zanardi, Robyn Parks
Departures: Rhyne Howard, Astou Ndour, Marina Mabrey, Kim Mestdagh, Egle Sventoraite
Key signing: Arella Guirantes (from DVTK Hun-Therm)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
With some classy players departing after that historic run to Final Four last season, it was always going to be tough to try and replenish to continue the momentum. However, Schio may have pulled it off, with the signing of playmaker Arella Guirantes possibly key if she continues her form from an amazing rookie season in the competition. If incoming center Julia Reisingerova stays healthy it could also be a very interesting frontcourt partnership with another newcomer in Dorka Juhasz.
Casademont Zaragoza
Retained: Carlos Cantero (Coach), Leonie Fiebich, Mariona Ortiz, Vega Gimeno, Serena-Lynn Geldof, Helena Oma Giralt
Arrivals: Ainhoa Gervasini, Aleksa Gulbe, Petra Holesinska, Tanaya Atkinson, Christelle Diallo, Nerea Hermosa
Departures: Markeisha Gatling, Aisha Sutherland, Imani Tate, Carmen Grande
Key signing: Aleksa Gulbe (from Perfumerias Avenida)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
It's going to be an intriguing rookie Regular Season ahead for Casademont Zaragoza and on paper it feels that they have largely swapped like-for-like in comparison to last year when they made that deep run in EuroCup Women. Certainly Latvian national team forward Aleksa Gulbe from Avenida looks a nice pickup as she knows Spain already, as well as EuroLeague Women. She will have more minutes and more of a chance to shine with Zaragoza, Meanwhile incoming guard Tanaya Atkinson can add a scoring punch.
Cukurova Basketbol Mersin
Retained: Roberto Iniguez (Coach), Laura Cornelius, Elizabeth Williams, Sinem Atas, Quanitra Hollingsworth
Arrivals: Agnes Studer, Virag Kiss, Alina Iagupova, Derin Yaya, Melis Gulcan, Sugranur Sonmez, Marina Mabrey, Meltem Avci, Melisa Brcaninovic
Departures: Jelena Dubljevic, Gamze Takmaz, Goksen Fitik, Tiffany Hayes, Chelsea Gray, Aleksandra Crvendakic, Esra Ural Topuz
Key signing: Alina Iagupova (from Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After last year's historic run to a maiden Final Four and title game, regenerating the roster to maintain momentum was going to be a challenge. But it looks like they may have managed this - especially with Iagupova's arrival from Fenerbahce. She can be an incredible momentum-shifter and game winner. Marina Mabrey showed her class in propelling Schio to unprecedented success last year and you have to like the addition of Hungarian duo Agnes Studer and Virag Kiss who starred with the national team this past summer.
DVTK Hun-Therm
Retained: Peter Volgyi (Coach), Veronika Kanyasi, Nina Aho, Darcee Garbin, Milica Jovanovic, Monika Grigalauskyte, Tyra Aho, Anna Veg-Dudas, Fruzsina Olah
Arrivals: Kaila Charles, Reka Lelik, Ana Tadic, Petra Toman, Zsofia Tenyer
Departures: Cheridene Green, Arella Guirantes, Reka Bernath, Angelika Kiss, Anna Veg-Dudas, Zsofia Bacso
Key signing: Reka Lelik (from Castors Braine)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The reason for the higher grade for DVTK is that they have replaced smartly in terms of players who really do fit into the team ethic which proved successful last year. They have kept the core and bringing in Hungary national team winger Reka Lelik looks like good business. Kaila Charles could be a walking double-double in her first season in the competition once she settles in and that makes up for the loss of Cheridene Green.
Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding
Retained: Emma Meesseman, Merve Aydin, Alperi Onar, Kayla McBride,
Arrivals: Valerie Garnier (Coach), Yvonne Anderson, Marija Lekovic, Tilbe Senyurek, Kitija Laksa, Nikolina Milic, Natasha Howard, Sevgi Ugun, Napheesa Collier
Departures: Marina Malkovic (Coach), Alina Iagupova, Olcay Cakir Turgut, Ivana Raca, Courtney Vandersloot, Mina Djordevic, Satou Sabally (not confirmed) Breanna Stewart* (Not confirmed)
Key signing: Yvonne Anderson (from Tango Bourges Basket)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To lose Marina Maljkovic was a blow after winning the title, but they acted quickly to bring in Valerie Garnier who has a stack of experience and knows the club, which is important. On the court, there have been big changes and Yvonne Anderson being able to step up and replace the former 'head of the snake' Courtney Vandersloot looks particularly pivotal. Kitija Laksa brings some firepower on the wings - although until the status of Breanna Stewart is confirmed, that grade could go up to five stars or drop to three.
KGHM BC Polkowice
Retained: Karol Kowalewski (Coach), Zala Friskovec, Weronika Gajda, Stephanie Mavunga, Klaudia Gertchen, Iliana Banaszak, Julia Piestrzynska, Inga Stepien, Wiktoria Zasada
Arrivals: Dragana Stankovic, Nika Baric, Brianna Fraser, Charli Collier, Zuzanna Kulinska
Departures: Erica Wheeler, Artemis Spanou, Sasa Cado, Weronika Telenga
Key signing: Nika Baric (from Nika Syktyvkar)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
There's not been a lot of activity from Polkowice as they opted to rather smartly keep faith with most of the players who performed so well last season in the competition. However, they have made largely like-for-like replacements in terms of quality and experience. Nika Baric has tons of that and already shown in the Qualifiers how impactful she can be and the same goes for Serbian forward Dragana Stankovic who is now in her second spell with the team. Brianna Fraser could put up some huge numbers this season too and Charli Collier is such an exciting prospect in her rookie year in the tournament.
LDLC ASVEL Feminin
Retained: David Gautier (Coach), Gabby Williams, Alexia Chery, Marine Johannes, Julie Allemand, Laura Quevedo, Sandrine Gruda, Juste Jocyte, Helena Ciak
Arrivals: Marine Fauthoux, Endy Miyem
Departures: Blake Dietrick, Dominique Malonga
Key signing: Marine Fauthoux (from Basket Landes)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's about as simple as it gets for the ambitious French club. They have brought in a couple of players and both are national team ballers at opposite ends of their career. There is an exciting playmaker in Marine Fauthoux who has demonstrated her capabilities on loan in the competition with Basket Landes during recent seasons. Meanwhile Endy Miyem is a veteran warrior who brings all of that know-how and strength to the table that will give the team a much needed harder edge when they need it.
Perfumerias Avenida
Retained: Pepe Vazquez (Coach), Silvia Dominguez, Maria Fasoula, Leonor Rodriguez, Andrea Vilaro, Alexis Prince
Arrivals: Antonia Delaere, Olcay Cakir Turgut, Laura Gil, Bria Hartley, Sika Kone, Lucia Rodriguez Arribas
Departures: Maite Cazorla, Michaela Onyenwere, Aleksa Gulbe, Jovana Nogic, Bridget Carleton, Julia Reisingerova
Key signing: Sika Kone (from Spar Gran Canaria)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
There is a real eclectic mix of ballers who have landed in Salamanca and this makes it an exciting time to be a fan of Avenida, or as a neutral as it looks absolutely compelling to watch how they gel and perform. Sika Kone is arguably the standout because she has been immense on the global stage with Mali and should become a powerhouse in time. Antonia Delaere arrives a FIBA Women's EuroBasket champion and the accomplished Olcay Cakir Turgut plays for the first time outside of here homeland in Turkey.
Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin
Retained: Krzysztof Szewczyk (Coach), Aleksandra Ziemborska, Martyna Goszczynska, Aleksandra Kuczynska, Michella Nassisi, Magdelena Ziatara
Arrivals: Shyla Heal, Dominka Fiszer, Emily Kalenik, Dominika Ullmann, Elin Gustavsson, Amelia Kuper, Channon Fluker, Justyna Adamczuk
Departures: Aleksandra Stanacev, Natasha Mack, Olga Trzeciak, Sparkle Taylor, Katarina Zec, Tetiana Yurkevichus, Anna Winkowska, Wiktoria Zajac
Key signing: Channon Fluker (from Bursa Uludag)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
Building a team for the highest level of competition when taking your first footsteps is always going to be a big task and Lublin have definitely made plenty of changes. There will be a massive onus on Channon Fluker to be the marquee player in terms of production and to somehow try and replicate the way Natasha Mack starred in past seasons. Shyla Heal is an Aussie rising star with the chance to show she can ball and will be an interesting debutante to follow.
Serco UNI Gyor
Retained: Laszlo Cziczas (Coach), Debora Dubei, Dora Ruff-Nagy, Reka Dombai, Cyesha Goree, Agnes Torok, Boglarka Bach
Arrivals: Destiny Slocum, Diamond Miller, Janka Hegedus, Kristine Anigwe, Laura Molnar, Janka Gyongyosi
Departures: Peyton Williams, Beatrice Mompremier, Virag Weninger, Aaryn Ellenberg-Wiley
Key signing: Diamond Miller (from University of Maryland)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Back in the competition for the first time in years, Gyor know that the summer business they did will go a long way to determining if they can land some punches at the elite level this season. On paper it looks exciting, with Diamond Miller a rookie with massive potential in the competition, her fellow American Destiny Slocum also ready to impress, while the sheer size of British center Kristine Anigwe is a real boom for both ends of the court.
Valencia Basket Club
Retained: Ruben Burgos (Coach), Alba Torrens, Cristina Ouvina, Elena Buenavida, Queralt Casas, Letiica Romero, Raquel Carrera, Marie Guelich, Noa Morro, Awa Fam
Arrivals: Bec Allen, Merritt Hempe, Nadia Fingall, Claudia Contell, Alicia Florez
Departures: Angela Salvadores, Laia Lamana, Lauren Cox, Cassidie Burdick
Key signing: Bec Allen (previously injured)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The return of Aussie forward Allen is huge after she didn't play in 2022-23. Now she can pick up back at Valencia where she previously played a central role in the club's rise to prominence on women's hoops scene. Her quality will be welcomed alongside Merritt Hempe and Nadia Fingall who both know Spain well from previous seasons. And, that overall knowledge of every incoming player understanding the environment will help enormously.
Villeneuve d'Ascq LM
Retained: Rachid Meziane (Coach), Caroline Heriaud, Kamiah Smalls, Janelle Salaun, Kennedy Burke, Maia Hirsch, Kariata Diaby
Arrivals: Aminata Gueye, Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka, Shavonte Zellous
Departures: Hind Ben Abdelkader, Christelle Diallo, Eloise Pavrette, Myriam Djekoundade
Key signing: Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka (from Gesam Gas Le Mura Lucca)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
The return to EuroLeague Women will give Villeneuve a big test and in terms of their summer newcomers there is no massive name. However, FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 winning head coach Rachid Meziane welcomes Cats' small forward Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka. She's still young and learning, but her athleticism will be important. Shavonte Zellous also has a wealth of experience to call upon in the backcourt.
Virtus Segafredo Bologna
Retained: Cecilia Zandalasini, Olbis Andre, Beatris Barberis, Beatrice Del Piero, Alessandra Orsili, Francesca Pasa, Ivana Dojkic, Iliana Rupert
Arrivals: Pierre Vincent (Coach), Haley Peters, Lauren Cox, Chiara Consolini
Departures: Giampiero Ticchi (Coach), Kitija Laksa, Sabrina Cinili, Cheyenne Parker
Key signing: Lauren Cox (from Basket Club Valencia)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
With a new coach in Pierre Vincent who has posted his career around having unwavering defense and strong players, the addition of Lauren Cox and Haley Peters supports that mantra. Certainly Cox, who impressed last year in Valencia, has already helped win a first Italian SuperCup success. Italian Chiara Consolini brings plenty of experience and in truth, it was keeping the bulk of the team that was the summer priority and Virtus have managed that part very well too.
ZVVZ USK Praha
Retained: Natalia Hejkova (Coach), Teja Oblak, Maria Conde, Emese Hof, Valeriane Vukosavljevic, Brionna Jones, Veronika Sipova, Veronika Vorackova, Tereza Vyoralova
Arrivals: Ezi Magbegor, Maite Cazorla, Karolina Petlanova, Mariana Pribylova, Nyara Sabally
Departures: Alyssa Thomas, Temi Fagbenle, Barbora Wrzesinski
Key signing: Ezi Magbegor (from Sopron Basket)
Grade: ⭐⭐⭐
Replacing the phenomenal Alyssa Thomas who has been a driving force for Praha for so many seasons is virtually impossible. She was such a huge part of the team's success and consistency. Certainly Opals' center Ezi Magbegor helps to fill some of the gap in the paint and the additional guard play of Maite Cazorla will be welcomed by Teja Oblak who has had to work overtime in the backcourt.
Want more on EuroLeague Women summer transfers? Click here to read about the biggest off-season moves!
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