10 players to watch in the EuroCup Women Qualifiers

MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroCup Women Qualifiers promise much entertainment, but will also result in many Regular Season dreams being both made and broken.

A number of key players will play a significant role in whether their respective teams experience tears of joy or despair. Here are just a selection of those players to watch out for when the Qualifiers get underway. 

Kalani Brown - Hatay

CENTER
Height: 1.95m / 6ft 5in
Date of Birth: March 21, 1997

A tour de force in last season's competition when suiting up with Kayseri, it's now Hatay who will benefit from the size, strength and skills of Brown. She poured in more than 23 points per game for her former team and also did the business on the glass. She can cause big headaches for opposing defenses because once she catches down low, it's usually money.

Leonie Fiebich - Flammes Carolo Basket

SMALL FORWARD
Height: 1.92cm / 6ft 4in
Date of Birth:  January 10, 2000

Perhaps one of the most interesting transfers of the off-season was the highly-rated Fiebich making the switch from her native Germany to France. Versatile and very talented, she has been a shining light for a super German youth generation and it has also led to her being picked in the 2020 WNBA draft. Turning down NCAA, it will be interesting to see if she can maintain her impactful contributions in the DBBL when she debuts in EuroCup Women. 

Natasha Mack - Pszczolka Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin

 
POWER FORWARD/CENTER
Height: 1.91cm / 6ft 4in
Date of Birth: November 3, 1997

There will be a lot of expectation and a significant load to carry for Mack as she embarks on her rookie pro-season overseas in the Polish League and in EuroCup Women. But, she has the physical presence and game to make a splash with Lublin. Her defensive capabilities at the collegiate level really caught the eye and she did enough at both ends of the floor in the NCAA to earn WNBA court time this past summer with the Chicago Sky before moving to the Minnesota Lynx.

Alexis Jones - Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje

GUARD
Height: 1.75cm / 5ft 9in
Date of Birth: May 8, 1994

Even if they were brief spells, Jones can call upon both EuroLeague Women and WNBA experiences which shows the quality that she has. Finishing with BCF Elfic Fribourg last season for March and April, she was on fire and averaged more than 18 points per game. Her scoring touch will be utilized by Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje who will want to extend their proud and eye-catching tradition of competing in European club competitions.

Alessandra Orsili - Duran Maquinaria Ensino

POINT GUARD
Height: 1.67cm / 5ft 6in
Date of Birth: October 4, 2001

Another rising star player who is making a big summer move to demonstrate she can cut it at the higher level, Italian playmaker Orsili has been an impressive performer for her country at the youth level. She has received individual accolades and attained team success. At club level, she has opted to move outside of her homeland to Spain and it will be intriguing to see if she can hit the ground running and play a fruitful role in these Qualifiers.

Florencia Chagas - La Molisana Magnolia

 
GUARD
Height: 1.80cm / 5ft 11in
Date of Birth: June 27, 2001

A walking highlights reel at youth level, the young guard from Argentina always injects fun into any game with her handles and creative streak. She can score too, which is something she will need to focus on when she hits the floor for La Molisana Magnolia. Supremely talented, it is now all about channeling her vast promise now and showing consistency. Chagas has already shown glimpses previously in EuroLeague Women with cameos for Schio.

Maggie Lucas - Banco Sardegna Sassari

GUARD
Height: 1.78cm / 5ft 10in
Date of Birth: November 29, 1991

If the ambitious Sassari are to realize their dream of making it beyond the Qualifiers, the signing of Lucas could be vital. She had a successful year in Sweden last season, scored massively in China, has played in the French League and offers WNBA quality, having played for four different franchises. It gives her new side a player who can score with composure in the big moments and will be a go-to player in their tie with BBC Grengewald.

Johannah Leedham-Warner - London Lions

SHOOTING GUARD / SMALL FORWARD
Height: 1.80cm / 5ft 11in
Date of Birth: May 12, 1987

The Great Britain legend looks set to finish her illustrious career on home soil for the debutante London Lions and that is a real buzz for her fans and for British Basketball. Leedham-Warner has played most of her career in EuroLeague Women or EuroCup Women, once winning the title itself with Bourges. Her reading of the game and quick hands are exceptional and her veteran expertise, combined with clutch mentality will be priceless.

Sika Kone - Spar Gran Canaria

POWER FORWARD
Height: 1.90cm / 6ft 3in
Date of Birth: July 13, 2002

One of the best players of her generation globally, Kone may be tied up for the first leg at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket with Mali, but should at least be fine to make it for Gran Canaria in the second game against London. She was unstoppable at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup this past summer and many people's MVP because of her powerful and at times phenomenal double-double performances, which delivered a historic Semi-Finals spot. 

Helena Sverrisdottir - Haukar

GUARD/FORWARD
Height: 1.80cm / 5ft 11in
Date of Birth:  March 11, 1988

An amazing contributor for Iceland at the international level down the years, the veteran star has also played in EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women. Much of her most famous work came when she starred at Good Angels Kosice. Her versatility and experience is unrivalled in her homeland so having her around will be immense for Haukar.

FIBA