MUNICH (Germany) - There are more global stars stepping out in EuroCup Women than ever and that only turns up the levels of excitement even further ahead of the Regular Season.
The road to silverware will be intense and there are a number of prominent ballers who could have a big say in where the 2025 trophy ends up.
Here are our 10 must-watch players and you can also vote for who you think will shine most brightly by casting your vote in the fan poll below.
Julie Vanloo - Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring
Guard
Birth Date: February 10, 1993 (31 years old) Height: 1.68m (5ft 6in) Nationality: BEL
The Belgian will patrol the backcourt for Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring again this year after finishing the 2023-24 EuroCup Women season with a competition best 8.4 assists per outing. Throw in her ability to put points on the scoreboard in a hurry, as well as her veteran know-how, Vanloo is the full package. There will be high expectations for the Istanbul powerhouse in the tournament and the guard will be needed to steer then towards the trophy.
Temi Fagbenle - Besiktas JK
Forward
Birth Date: September 8, 1992 (32 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in) Nationality: GBR
The Great Britain standout will be the focal point for Besiktas in the frontcourt. After torching her current team last season in the EuroCup Women Final, they will be hoping she can inspire consecutive winners' medals and it will be Besiktas standing on top of the podium. Fagbenle is a walking double-double when in form and tough for opposing teams to contain. With Besiktas guard heavy roster-wise, the forward will have a lot of work to get through inside.
Dominique Malonga - LDLC ASVEL Feminin
Center
Birth Date: November 16, 2005 (18 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 61in) Nationality: FRA
A sensational talent who's phenomenal potential is sky-high, Malonga already has an Olympic Final and silver medal on her resume - aged just 18-years-old. Physically imposing and about as long as anyone in the women's game, she played for LDLC ASVEL Feminin last year in EuroLeague Women. Having since been given responsibility for France internationally, it would be a surprise if Malonga didn't start dominating soon in some EuroCup Women games.
Frieda Buhner - Movistar Estudiantes
Forward
Birth Date: May 28, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 1.86m (6ft 1in) Nationality: GER
It's been an extraordinary 2024 for Buhner. Super at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket, a couple of weeks later she took to the court at Paris 2024 for her senior tournament debut. The forward made an impression with a double-digit points haul off the bench against Belgium as rookies Germany made history by reaching the Quarter-Finals. With a great shooting range and hard-working and humble mentality, she could be about to have a super debut season.
Cecilia Zandalasini - Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring
Guard
Birth Date: March 16, 1996 (28 years old) Height: 1.86m (6ft 1in) Nationality: ITA
The Galatasaray fans will absolutely love having Zandalasini in their team's lineup as she really can do it all. Her clutch ability is massive and will grow in value and importance as the season unfolds and heads into crunch time. Made for the big moments, the Italian guard possess potent scoring power and over recent years has evolved into an even more rounded-player. With significant EuroLeague Women experience, she is guaranteed to star in EuroCup Women.
Yueru Li - Bodrum Basketbol
Center
Birth Date: March 28, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 2.00m (6ft 7in) Nationality: CHN
One of the biggest global stars of the women's game, the China center was outstanding at Paris 2024 and bounces back into EuroCup Women having competed in the Final last season. Only this time around, she won't be lining up for Besiktas after making the switch to newcomers, Bodrum Basketbol. If she catches the ball down low, it's money and with her finishing ability and sheer physical size, she is such a tough defensive assignment for any opponent.
Borislava Hristova - Spar Girona
Small Forward
Birth Date: July 12, 1996 (28 years old) Height: 1.81m (5ft 11in) Nationality: BUL
A walking bucket, the scoring ability of Hristova is sensational and it would be a major shock if she does not only lead Spar Girona in points, but is not near the top of the tournament scoring chart too. The Bulgarian ace demonstrated her quality last season at ACS Sepsi-SIC when she put in some exceptional EuroLeague Women performances. If she is given the green light to do her thing in a Girona vest, then she will be a difference-maker and deal-breaker.
Holly Winterburn - Besiktas JK
Guard
Birth Date: October 1 ,2000 (24 years old) Height: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Nationality: GBR
The British star is looking to bag back-to-back titles having been one of the leaders of the London Lions who won the competition last season. The guard's reputation has been growing significantly in the past few seasons because of her work in a Great Britain vest and also in EuroCup Women. With skills that allow her to light it up from pretty much anywhere on the floor, she is also regularly stuffing the highlights reel with assists too.
Debora Carangelo - BDS Dinamo Sassari
Guard
Birth Date: February 10, 1992 (32 years old) Height: 1.69m (5ft 7in) Nationality: ITA
The Italian guard is a really great leader who has probably not had the appropriate level of recognition during her career, but is deservedly getting some of the spotlight right now. Her experience and brilliance at passing the rock will be at the heart of her team's campaign this season. She has already shone during the recent Qualifiers and last season averaged a superb 17.6 points and 4.6 assists per outing during the Regular Season.
Ji Su Park - Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring
Center
Birth Date: December 6, 1998 (25 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Nationality: KOR
A sporting superstar and legend in Korea already despite her age, Park is balling in European competition for the first time. The center is someone who will rack up eye-popping numbers during her debut season. A couple of years ago, she had a famous triple-double in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. Now she will keep Korean basketball on the radar with her efforts for Galatasaray and perhaps also bring a new EuroCup Women audience too.
FIBA