Bellona Agu trio help claim WNBA title

KAYSERI (EuroCup Women) – Amongst a host of EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women players, it was Bellona Agu who are perhaps standing proudest on Friday morning, with three of their players members of the WNBA-winning Los Angeles Sparks. 

Belgian legend Ann Wauters, Montenegro’s Jelena Dubljevic and USA’s Chelsea Gray were all part of the Sparks’ squad that saw off the Minnesota Lynx 77-76 in the fifth and deciding game of an enthralling WNBA Finals series. 

Gray played a particularly big role in the deciding game with 11 points off the bench. 

However, it was Dynamo Kursk’s Nnemkadi Ogwumike coming up with the biggest play of the night, hitting the game winner with a short jumper with 3.1 seconds left. 

Despite missing out on an Olympic berth with USA, Ogwumike was named the WNBA regular season MVP, whilst former UMMC Ekaterinburg kingpin Candace Parker was named Finals MVP. 

For Wauters, the championship was something of a final jewel in her crown, having previously won EuroLeague Women on four occasions, as well as a EuroCup Women title.

For UMMC Ekaterinburg, Friday morning wrapped off a fantastic 12 hours for the club. Following on from their SuperCup Women victory over hosts ESBVA-LM on Thursday night, two of their players in Evgenia Belyakova and Kristi Toliver were also celebrating as part of the Sparks team. 

2016 EuroLeague Women Final Four hosts Fenerbahce were another side represented by two players in French national team player Sandrine Gruda, along with Jantel Lavender. 

Former EuroCup Women and reigning EuroBasket Women champion Ana Dabovic, rounded out the European connection for the champions. 

The players are expected to arrive in Europe in the coming days with their teams already well in preparation for the EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women Regular Seasons, both of which tip-off on 26 October.

FIBA