Welcome to the biggest overseas competition women's basketball has to offer. Let's catch you up on everything there is to know to follow your favorite players — and learn some new ones — abroad.
What is EuroLeague?
EuroLeague is regarded as the most competitive basketball league — for the men, too — outside of the WNBA (or, NBA).
When is EuroLeague, and how long does it run?
EuroLeague begins on October 26 and will run until April 16, with some short breaks in between.
Where is EuroLeague?
Hey, Europe is a big place. This is a fair question! Teams are coming from France, Turkey, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Poland, and Czech Republic.
How can I watch the games?
They're all live streamed on EuroLeague's YouTube!
What time are the games on?
Typically in the mornings or early afternoons on the east coast of the U.S.
How can I find a schedule?
How many teams are there?
16!
Will Russian clubs be included?
No. Three teams from last year were banned by FIBA including UMMC Ekaterinburg, where Brittney Griner played, Dynamo Kursk, where Arike Ogunbowale played, and MBA Moscow.
How many teams make the playoffs?
Eight.
How are playoffs determined?
Teams are separated into two groups randomly. The four best teams from each group in the regular season will qualify for the playoffs.
What's new this season?
Traditionally, Russian clubs have dominated the EuroLeague scene. Ekaterinburg won four of the last six titles, including the most recent in 2021 with Griner, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Emma Meesseman, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot. Without those clubs, top level players have signed elsewhere.
Who won last year?
Sopron Basket (Hungary), led by Finals MVP Gabby Williams (who is not yet signed for this season).
Which teams are good?
On paper, Fenerbahçe (Turkey) looks to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the ban on Russian teams. Their roster includes Breanna Stewart, Natasha Howard, Emma Meesseman, Kayla McBride, Satou Sabally and Kiah Stokes.
CBK Mersin (Turkey) is also stacked this year with Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Chelsea Gray, Tiffany Hayes and Briann January.
Which WNBA players from the 2022 season will play in EuroLeague?
More are sure to sign as the season continues, but so far we know (with help from The Next):
*Note: players are alphabetized by last name
Rebecca Allen, Valencia (Spain)
Yvonne Anderson, Bourges (France)
Shakira Austin, Elizur Ramla (Israel)
DeWanna Bonner, CBK Mersin (Turkey)
Kennedy Burke, ESBVA (France)
Rebekah Gardner, Spar Girona (Spain)
Chelsea Gray, CBK Mersin (Turkey)
Megan Gustafson, Olympiacos (Greece)
Tiffany Hayes, CBK Mersin (Turkey)
Ruthy Hebard, KSC Szekszard (Hungary)
Natasha Howard, Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
Rhyne Howard, Famila Schio (Italy)
Briann January, CBK Mersin (Turkey)
Moriah Jefferson, Perfumerias Avenida (Spain)
Brionna Jones, USK Praha (Czech Republic)
Jonquel Jones, CBK Mersin (Turkey)
Marina Mabrey, Famila Schio (Italy)
Ezi Magbegor, Sopron (Hungary)
Kayla McBride, Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
Emma Meesseman, Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
Cheyenne Parker, Virtus Bologna (Italy)
Iliana Rupert, Virtus Bologna (Italy)
Satou Sabally, Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
Kiah Stokes, Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
Breanna Stewart, Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
Brittney Sykes, Sopron (Hungary)
Alyssa Thomas, USK Praha (Czech Republic)
Yvonne Turner, Polkowice (Poland)
Courtney Vandersloot, Sopron (Hungary)
Victoria Vivians, KSC Szekszard (Hungary)
Erica Wheeler, Polkowice (Poland)
Which non-WNBA players should I know?
A few familiar faces who didn't play in the league last year should be recognizable including Amanda Zahui B and Astou Ndour, who will both play for Famila Schio (Italy), and Erica McCall who will play for Perfumerias Avenida (Spain).
But Alina Lagupova is the best player you may have never heard of! The 6'1 guard plays for Fenerbahće (Turkey) and won the 2020 and 2021 MVPs.
How can I follow along?
Follow Gaming Society on Twitter, and EuroLeague on Twitter!