WNBA Team Signs Player Released a Day Before Season Opener

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 2:46 PM ET

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.

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.

Per sources the #Lynx are signing Russian C Maria Kliundikova (formerly Vadeeva)

Kliundikova played w/ Ola Kosu at UMMC Ekaterinburg and was named Russian Premier League Playoffs MVP. A 2018 pick of the Sparks, she last played in the W in 2019, averaging 7.8 pts & 3.9 reb #WNBA
— Terry Horstman (@terryhorstman) June 6, 2025

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.

Kliundikova, the 6-foot-4 center, should complement Collier because of her size and proficient scoring ability.

Minnesota's next Commissioner’s Cup game is on Sunday against the Dallas Wings in Texas at 4 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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