Eleven Stanford alumnae hoopsters are playing professional basketball in Europe and Australia for the 2017-18 winter season, which started about a month ago. Four of them are playing in FIBA international competitions, as well as in their national league.
FIBA EuroCup Women is the second-tier women's club competition in Europe. Ten groups of four teams, divided into two conferences, compete round-robin at home and away during the group phase. The two best-placed teams in each group plus the two best third-placed teams in each conference advance to the playoffs. Those twenty-four teams will be ranked 1st to 24th. The top 12 automatically advance to the Round of 16; the lower 12 will compete home and away to qualify for the remaining four places in the Round of 16.
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This is Vigarano's fourth season in the Italian SerieA1 league. They look to continue their climb out of the bottom third of league. They placed 10th in 2015-16 and improved to a three-way tie for 8th last season. (Amber Orrange played for Vigarano in those two seasons). They currently stand in a four-way tie for fourth in the league with a 2-2 win-loss record.
Karlie is Vigarano's starting shooting forward, described by the coach as "a shooting specialist, but also a complete player". She has been called on to replace Amber's offense and responsibilities, and is meeting those expectations.
Karlie leads the league in scoring with 18.5 ppg. She is 12-26 on three-point shots, 14-22 on two-pointers, and 10-12 at the free throw line. She is Vigarano's second-best rebounder with 5.8 rpg and also dishes 2.3 assists per game.
Atomeromu means nuclear power plant. Hungary's only one is located in Pacs, 20 miles north of Szekszard.
Atomeromu, the team, finished in 1st place last year with a 17-3 record in the Hungarian A Division league and is ranked #17 in the top 100 European teams.
In addition to playing in the Hungarian league, Atomeromu is one of 40 club teams playing in FIBA EuroCup Women They're in a different group than PEAC (Bri's team) and Keltern (Amber's team). This is the first time that Atomeromu has participated in an international competition.
Atomeromu ranks third in the Hungarian A league with a 3-0 win-loss record and is 2-1 in the EuroCup group phase.
Erica is Atomeromu's starting shooting forward. She averages 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game in Hungarian league play and 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 0.0 blocks per game in EuroCup.
PEAC Pécs finished in 4th place last season with a 14-6 record in the Hungarian A Division league.
In addition to playing in the Hungarian league, PEAC is one of 40 club teams playing in FIBA EuroCup Women. They're in the same group as Keltern (Amber's team). This is PEAC's fifth consecutive appearance in EuroCup Women. They placed second or third in each of their previous appearances.
PEAC ranks eighth in the Hungarian A league with a 1-3 win-loss record and is 0-3 in the EuroCup group phase.
Bri is PEAC's starting point guard. She averages 12.8 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game in Hungarian league play and 12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in EuroCup.
Keltern joined Germany's premier league (DBBL) in 2015-16 after eight years in the secondary league (2.Bundseliga). They placed fourth in their inaugural season and second last season.
In addition to playing in the German league, Keltern is one of 40 club teams playing in FIBA EuroCup Women. They're in the same group as PEAC (Bri's team). This is Keltern's second appearance in EuroCup Women. They finished in second place last season.
Keltern ranks third in the German DBBL league with a 5-1 win-loss record and is 1-2 in the EuroCup group phase.
Amber is Keltern's starting point guard. She averages 13.0 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game in German league play and 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in EuroCup.
Toulouse is a member of France's secondary women's basketball league (LF2). They are in a six-way tie for third place with a 3-2 win-loss record.
Mikaela is Toulouse's starting center. She's leading her team in points (15.2), rebounds(10.8) and steals (2.6). She received the Eurobasket.com LF2 Player of the Week award last week for her 23-point, 15-rebound game.
Montana 2003 is a member of the Bulgarian NBL league, which consists of two groups — East and West. They rank first in NBL West with a 2-0 win-loss record.
Sarah is Montana's reserve center. She averages 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game.
Dynamo Kursk is in the top tier of the Russian PBL league. They were the regular season co-champion (with UMMC) last season.
In addition to playing in the Russian league, Dynamo Kursk is one of 16 club teams playing in FIBA EuroLeague Women for the fourth consective season. They won the championship last season.
Kursk is on its way to another championship season with a 3-0 record in the Russian league and a 3-0 record in EuroLeague Women.
Nneka's return to Kursk was delayed as she finished up the WNBA season and she's played in just one PBL game and one EuroLeague game.
The Rangers are among the strongest teams in the Australian WNBL league. They have never won the league championship, but were the runner-up in 2013-14 when Kayla last played with them. They currently stand fourth in the league with a 2-2 win-loss record.
Kayla is the Rangers' starting power forward. She is the second-best rebounder in the league (11.3 rpg) and the second-best scorer on her team (14.5 ppg). She also averages 2.5 assists per game.
Kayla is "real keen" to be back with the Rangers
This is Napoli's fourth season in the Italian Serie A1 league. They are currently tied for eighth place in the league with a 1-3 win-loss record.
Jillian starts as Napoli's shooting forward and is still an excellent all-around player. She is Napoli's best rebounder with 9.3 rpg (ranks fifth in the league), second-best ball distributor with 4.5 apg (ranks fourth in the league), and third best scorer with 13.3 ppg.
Incidentally, one of Jillian's teammates is Jacki Gemelos (USC '10), still playing (as Napoli's starting point guard) after five torn ACLs.
This is Cissy's eighth season of playing professional basketball in Germany, her second with Goettingen. Goettingen had been a member of the secondary German Women's Basketball League (Germany-2.Bundesliga) for several seasons and won the league championship last season. They joined Germany's premier league (DBBL) this season. They are currently in a four-way tie for last place in the league with a 1-5 win-loss record.
Cissy is Goettingen's starting shooting guard. She averages 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Adana is a member of the Turkish KBSL league. They are currently in a three-way tie for seventh place (of 14) in the league.
New is Botas' starting center. She averages 6.3 points, 8. 3 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game.
Not Playing
These four Stanford alumnae have played abroad recently, but aren't playing this season:
Alex Green ('15) had a fabulous summer season in Australia, but has not signed with a team for 2017-18. I don't know whether or not Alex plans to continue playing professional basketball.
Chiney Ogwumike ('14) is pursuing her career in sports broadcasting this season.
Joslyn Tinkle ('13) has apparently finished with basketball as a career. She has been working as an account specialist with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits in the Portland area for more than a year.
Jeanette Pohlen Mavunga ('11) is watching pro ball again this season instead of playing. She's in Japan with her husband, Julian, who is playing with the Kyoto Hannaryz.
