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

Kayla McBride has had a unbelievable Unmatched 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 to this point.

And, whereas Unmatched nonetheless has a couple of weeks to go — the skilled 3-on-3 basketball league wraps up on March 17 — most taking part gamers will relaxation and get better between then and the start of the WNBA season in Might.

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 significantly elevates their possibilities of three-peating heading into the playoffs. Final season, the veteran guard received the Remaining 4 MVP as Fenerbahce secured its second consecutive title.

This 12 months, she’ll hope to have the identical degree of success, however in a way more restricted stint in Turkey.

McBride has had a protracted 12 months — her Minnesota Lynx crew made it to the WNBA Finals, and she or he 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 top of the WNBA playoffs and the start of the Unmatched season in January. However, she’s been enjoying heavy minutes this previous month whereas main the Laces Membership to a 4-2 report.

McBride opted to not prolong her offseason into March and April and as a substitute 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 Unmatched 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 crew’s main scorer up to now this season, averaging 16.9 factors and 6.1 rebounds. per recreation.

Picture by OZAN KOSE/AFP by way of Getty Photos

McBride’s resolution significantly elevates Fenerbahce’s probabilities to three-peat. At her greatest, she’s probably the most prolific scorers within the recreation.

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