5 EuroLeague players under 25 WNBA teams should keep an eye on this season

With the WNBA season concluded, it is time for fans of the league to turn their attention to offseason moves, the draft, and free agency. Several teams will be on the lookout for young talent at this time, and college basketball is not the only source of new players. EuroLeague also features some interesting young talents. 

Most EuroLeague teams have only played four regular season games so far, as the league took a break to allow players to compete in the EuroBasket qualifiers with their national teams. Games will be back on November 20. Over that time, some young players have already made quite the impression, though. 

Last season, fans witnessed the success young players with EuroLeague experience can have in the WNBA. Leonie Fiebich was the perfect example. She came into the league as an older 24-year-old rookie and played her way into the New York Liberty’s starting lineup on their run through the playoffs. 

Other players could be just as successful, and WNBA teams should keep an eye on some of the younger EuroLeague players this season. 

5. Janelle Salaün 

In European basketball circles, Janelle Salaün’s name is no secret. She already played for the French national team several times, most recently in the Paris Olympics where she got a chance to play with and learn from more veteran teammates. With the Italian club Beretta Famila Schio, Salaün plays a much bigger role and has had an excellent EuroLeague season so far. 

She is averaging 17.8 points on efficient shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2 steals. At 6’2”, the 23-year-old has great size at the forward spot and a very versatile skill set. Offensively, she is a true 3-level scorer and on the other end of the floor her size, speed, and athleticism allow her to guard one through five depending on what the situation calls for. 

Salaün looks like she could really flourish in the WNBA, and if she continues to play as well as she has so far, she will surely draw attention from WNBA teams. She would be a great addition to the Indiana Fever, for example.

4. Pauline Astier

Pauline Astier currently plays for the French club Tango Bourges Basket and has been putting on a show. The 22-year-old French guard is averaging 13.3 points on 55.6 percent shooting on twos and 40.3 percent from three, 2.8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4.3 steals per game in EuroLeague competition. She ranks first in steals per game and third in assists per game. 

At 5’11”, Astier has great size at the guard spot. Combined with her excellent vision and court awareness it makes her a great prospect for any WNBA team looking for a young playmaker to develop. On top of that, she has great hands defensively and scores very efficiently on twos and threes alike. 

Anyone who enjoys watching a good two-way combo guard should keep an eye on Pauline Astier this EuroLeague season. 

3. Luisa Geiselsöder 

Luisa Geiselsöder was already drafted by the Dallas Wings in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft but never made it overseas. The 24-year-old German is currently the starting center for the French club Basket Landes and averages 11.5 points on 62.5 percent shooting on two-pointers and 38.5 percent shooting on threes, 6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. 

In her most recent EuroLeague game, a win over DVTK Huntheim, Geiselsöder even recorded a double-double. She might not have been ready to move to the WNBA in 2020, but that could change soon. Geiselsöder has great size at the center position, and her long arms affect shots and passes defensively. Offensively, she can space the floor as well as attack the rim and make some plays out of the high post. 

WNBA teams always love bigs that can space the floor, and Geiselsöder is just that in the EuroLeague. 

2. Marine Fauthoux 

Marine Fauthoux played for the French national team in the past two Olympics, but during the EuroLeague season, she is suiting up for the Turkish club CBR Mersin. In 2021, Fauthoux was drafted by the New York Liberty in the third round of the WNBA Draft but stayed in Europe. 

If she wants to, she may be able to make the move soon. Fauthoux is not a high-level scorer, but she converts the shots she makes efficiently. As of now, the 23-year-old guard is shooting 51.7 percent on twos and 50 percent from beyond the arc on her way to an average of 8 points per game. She also adds an average of 2.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. 

Fauthoux can make plays for herself and her teammates offensively while being a real pest on the other end of the floor. Fauthoux puts great pressure on opposing ball handlers, often picking them up full-court, and navigates screens well. 

Any WNBA team looking for a guard who can run the offense and wreak some havoc defensively should keep an eye on Marine Fauthoux. 

1. Emma Cechova 

Emma Cechova is the youngest player on this list and the one who is most of a developmental project. The 20-year-old, 6’5” big currently plays for Zabiny Brno in the EuroLeague and has been putting up good numbers. Cechova averages 7.3 points, 6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. The latter ranks fourth among EuroLeague players. 

Cechova has the potential to grow into a solid, traditional center and rim protector if developed correctly. She has good footwork in the post and great size, but would definitely have to get stronger to deal with WNBA bigs. 

Cechova may need a little more time than some of these other prospects before she would be ready to move to the WNBA, but it is still worth monitoring her development.