Who are the players to watch in the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers?

MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroLeague Women Qualifiers are coming up and there will be lots of amazing talent to enjoy with six clubs getting ready to compete for a spot in the Regular Season.

Here are just some of the players that could be difference-makers for their respective teams when the action gets underway on Wednesday, September 20.

Temi Fagbenle - London Lions

 
With rumors circulating that London Lions were about to turn up the noise and show the true scale of their ambitions with an attempted switch from EuroCup to EuroLeague Women, this was rubber-stamped as soon as they signed the Great Britain centerpiece. Fagbenle is the marquee national team star and with her skills and outstanding leadership, the British side have a class act to be at the forefront of their challenge. Super smart, efficient and highly talented, it's an exciting new chapter for the frontcourt ace.

Zala Friskovec - BC Polkowice

Continuity is crucial for any club, particularly when facing the demanding EuroLeague Women Regular Season, especially with the addition of new players. Friskovec has returned to Polkowice and needs to enhance her performance to maintain the team's success in the competition. As a Slovenian national team player, she had a strong showing in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. Plus, now she is transitioning from a young player into more of a leader, her contributions will need to be even more significant.

Bethy Mununga - ACS Sepsi-SIC

What a summer it was for Mununga who heads back to ACS Sepsi-SIC as a proud FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 champion after winning a historic gold medal with Belgium on a famous night in Ljubljana. When it comes to her influence and impact in the Qualifiers, it is likely to be significant since she has put up some big numbers for the Romanian powerhouse previously. And, with her added international experience at the highest level, that bodes well for both her and the team in these vital games which lie ahead. 

Vanesa Jasa - TTT Riga

Another player celebrating a historic summer, Jasa was the driving force behind her team's exceptional and unprecedented run to the Final of the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship. The silver medal success on Lithuanian soil was largely founded on her superb performances which harvested almost 20 points per game and delivered an All-Star Five berth. But despite being young, Jasa already knows all about EuroLeague Women having played for TTT in the Regular Season when only 16 years old. 

Jovana Nogic - Besiktas JK

 
The Serbia national team player looks like she will be a go-to option for Besiktas in the Qualifiers judging by the number of shots taken in friendly games and the Turkish league of late. As the second top scorer for her country at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket this past summer,  Nogic will be someone high on the scouting report of her opponents and her success, or otherwise, will depend on her shot selection and efficiency. There is no denying that if Besiktas want to advance, then they need Nogic to hit top gear.

Reka Lelik - DVTK Hun-Therm

It was a brilliant ride for Hungary at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 as they made the Semi-Finals for the first time since 1997 and banked themselves a place at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Lelik was an integral part of that success and back balling in her home nation after a season in Belgium with Castors Braine, she will be expected to play a huge role for DVTK Hun-Therm in these Qualifiers. The winger is versatile and capable of impacting so many facets of the game, so you can expect her to shine. 

Holly Winterburn - London Lions

 
After two seasons of growing and showing her skills in EuroCup Women, as well as making a debut at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket for Great Britain, it looks like Winterburn could be contemplating a rookie EuroLeague Women season. Evolving into a real momentum-shifter with her displays, she will do the business in the backcourt and give the team's stacked frontcourt the chance to go to work. The British guard has been lighting it up in pre-season, so could be ready to come out with all guns blazing in the Qualifiers.

Brianna Fraser - BC Polkowice

 
All-action and multi-skilled, the forward is a very nice pickup for BC Polkowice since Fraser has shown that she can amass towering performances in European club competitions. The forward poured in more than 29 points per game in the Qualifiers two seasons ago and went on to sink more than 27 points per outing in EuroCup Women. She also recorded more than 16 points and 6 boards per game last season with Flammes Carolo Basket which points towards similar production this time around.

FIBA