WNBA Team Signs Player Released a Day Before Season Opener
WNBA Team Signs Player Released a Day Before Season Opener originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Lynx signed Russian center Maria Kliundikova, formerly Vadeeva, to their team on Friday.
Kliundikova, 26, won the Russian Premier League Playoffs MVP when she played for Ola Kosu at UMMC Ekaterinburg last season. She averaged 11.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 36 games played, per her Eurobasket.com player profile.
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In 2018, Kliundikova was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the 11th pick in the first round. She appeared in 40 games from 2018-19 and averaged 5.2 points per game. However, the Russia native was unable to stay with the team due to visa issues.
Despite the delays, Kliundikova re-signed with the Sparks during this offseason on a training camp deal but was released on May 15 before their season opener. She should be a solid fit with the Lynx roster, which is already composed of forwards Napheesa Collier and Bridget Carleton.
The Lynx are ranked first in the Western Conference and tied for first in the league with an 8-0 record. The Cheryl Reeve-coached team defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 88-65, on Tuesday in a Commissioner's Cup game, where Collier led them in scoring with 18 points in 31 minutes of playing time. Natisha Hiedeman also scored 18.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier walks off the court© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Kliundikova, the 6-foot-4 center, should complement Collier because of her size and proficient scoring ability.
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Minnesota's next Commissioner's Cup game is on Sunday against the Dallas Wings in Texas at 4 p.m. ET.
Related: Lisa Leslie Sees Herself in This Current WNBA Star
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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