As the WNBA's newest expansion teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will undoubtedly be looking for young talent to develop. They will be able to find some of that in the expansion draft (once the new CBA is signed and the rules and date for the expansion draft are clear) and the regular WNBA Draft. Those aren’t the only ways to bring in great young talent, though. Signing undrafted young talent from overseas is also a very viable option.
The Valkyries proved that when they signed Janelle Salaün ahead of their inaugural season. Salaün went undrafted a few years ago and played professionally overseas before starting her WNBA career. That experience helped Salaün have a successful debut. She was a key player in the Valkyries’ historic playoff run and was named to the All-Rookie Team alongside Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, and Dominique Malonga.
If either team is looking for young talent with experience playing professionally overseas, they should have their eyes on Pauline Astier.
Pauline Astier is a great young prospect
Pauline Astier is only 23 years old, but she has already been playing professionally for years, first suiting up for Tango Bourges in the 2019-20 season. She also made her EuroLeague debut in that season. Astier’s production and role with Bourges increased steadily. Last season, she averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 27 minutes over 15 EuroLeague games.
This season, Astier is playing for the Czech club ZVVZ USK Praha. In her first EuroLeague game with her new team, she recorded 9 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals as a starter. Before that, she also had impressive outings in the top Czech league.
At 5’11”, Astier offers great size at the guard spots. She accentuates that size with great speed, court vision, passing ability, and defensive effort. All of that makes Astier one of the best international prospects, and she will be able to put her potential on full display this season. Praha is the reigning EuroLeague champion. Playing a big role on such a prominent team will put Astier in the spotlight like never before.
Astier’s combination of talent and experience should allow her to find WNBA success early—just like Salaün, with whom she is playing in Prague. She would be able to contribute right away while also providing whichever team takes a chance on her with a young talent to develop in its system.
Praha has a great young core this season
Pauline Astier isn’t the only interesting young talent playing in Prague this season. The team also features 2025 WNBA rookies Salaün, Kaitlyn Chen, and Makayla Timpson, as well as Emma Cechova and Petra Malikova.