Unequalled star is heading abroad to proceed jam-packed WNBA offseason

Kayla McBride has had a incredible Unequalled season. She’s the league’s second-leading scorer (averaging 24.7 factors per recreation) and has performed a serious function within the Laces’ success up to now.

And, whereas Unequalled nonetheless has a couple of weeks to go — the skilled 3-on-3 basketball league wraps up on March 17 — most collaborating gamers will relaxation and recuperate between then and the start of the WNBA season in Could.

However, as soon as issues wrap up, McBride is returning to the Turkish skilled membership Fenerbahce, with whom she’s spent her WNBA offseasons since 2020. The membership introduced the transfer on Friday morning, and it’s one which vastly elevates their possibilities of three-peating heading into the playoffs. Final season, the veteran guard received the Last 4 MVP as Fenerbahce secured its second consecutive title.

This yr, she’ll hope to have the identical stage of success, however in a way more restricted stint in Turkey.

McBride has had an extended yr — her Minnesota Lynx group made it to the WNBA Finals, and he or she was a crucial a part of the roster that misplaced to the Liberty in 5 video games in October. She subsequently had a couple of months off between the tip of the WNBA playoffs and the start of the Unequalled season in January. However, she’s been taking part in heavy minutes this previous month whereas main the Laces Membership to a 4-2 document.

McBride opted to not lengthen her offseason into March and April and as an alternative return to Turkey for a playoff run. The membership shared on social media that she is going to rejoin Fenerbahce in March, and The Subsequent Hoops’ Jackie Powell reported that that can occur after the conclusion of the Unequalled season.

On Fenerbahce, she is going to be part of a number of different present (and former) WNBA gamers, together with Gabby Williams, Tina Charles, Emma Meesseman, Nyara Sabally, and Sevgi Uzun. Meesseman has been the group’s main scorer to date this season, averaging 16.9 factors and 6.1 rebounds. per recreation.

Photograph by OZAN KOSE/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

McBride’s determination vastly elevates Fenerbahce’s probabilities to three-peat. At her finest, she’s one of the prolific scorers within the recreation.

The transfer additionally displays the versatile nature of Unequalled. Gamers like NaLyssa Smith and Natisha Hiedeman performed abroad for a number of months earlier than becoming a member of Unequalled, whereas gamers like McBride will play in Unequalled whereas nonetheless getting the prospect to spend most of her offseason within the U.S. taking part in alongside and towards her WNBA teammates.