*** Official 2025 ISU WBB in the WNBA Thread ***

[mred]

Bridget Carleton is still thriving in Minnesota.

Stephanie Soares was cut by the Wings on January 4th. I'm guessing she'll show up in someone's training camp.

Ashley Joens was signed to a training camp contract by Atlanta.

 

[Acylum]

 

[CY9008]

With more teams and more roster spots available, hoping Ash finds a landing spot in the next year or so

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

With more teams and more roster spots available, hoping Ash finds a landing spot in the next year or so

She's worked hard for this opportunity. She went to New Zealand with two goals, win the league title and be named MVP, with the thought it would get her another WNBA opportunity. She accomplished both and per her father, four WNBA teams were "interested" enough to contact her agent.

She told me that her first experience abroad (Sassari, Sardinia) wasn't to her liking, but it sounds like that's changed. She reportedly had a great experience in New Zealand and now she's a short-term "mercenary" with Athinaikos in the Greek Women's League - there are other American's on her team and she's having a good time.

She's got her work cut out for her, with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray as established starters, but we know she'll work hard and give great effort. If it doesn't work, she can get paid to travel the world or find a college staff on which to begin her coaching career. The world is her oyster.

 

[DGC]

Two of my favorite all time Cyclones hoopin professionally in Atlanta, love it!!!

 

[BoxsterCy]

 

[mred]

Not directly involving a former ISU player, but the Lynx just traded a 2026 1st round pick for Karlie Samuelson. The general consensus is that the Lynx now have two Bridget Carletons, as Karlie is also a tall sharpshooting guard who plays good defense. She could cut into Bridget's minutes a bit, but it's likely that Karlie will come off the bench for both McBride and Carleton.

Carleton and Samuelson played together for CBK Mersin in Turkiye, whose season just ended, so the two of them should be used to playing together. Samuelson was traded while she was on a transcontinental flight without wifi (I'm guessing flying back to the US?)

 

[4cy16]

 

[mred]

 

[BoxsterCy]

Still my all-time fav player from Iowa State WBB.

 

[acoustimac]

Still my all-time fav player from Iowa State WBB.

She just needed more help…amazing athlete.

 

[BoxsterCy]

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

Preseason game 1 for the Atlanta Dream @ Washington Mystics. Ashley played eight minutes and was 0-2 with one rebound. Ten players got double digit minutes and one starter barely played, so it appears Ash is fighting an uphill battle.

Dream 80-70 Mystics (7 May, 2025) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics WNBA game from 7 May 2025 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

africa.espn.com

Lucy Olson played 22 minutes (tied for team high) for the Mystics, shooting 1-8 with two rebounds, two assists and two turnovers.

 

[acoustimac]

Any word on Soares' health? Saw Dallas waived her in Jan.

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

The Atlanta Dream waived forward Maria Gakdeng (R - North Carolina) and guard Emani Jefferson (R - FGCU) today (5/8), reducing the training camp roster to 14.

 

[DGC]

Well sounds like Ashley did not make the roster in Atlanta. Sure home someone else picks her up.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Good news is Bridget's spot sure seems safe. She started yesterday and played 29 minutes.

Joens did play 8 minutes versus the Indiana Clarks in a pre-season before being waived today.

Minnesotan and former Iowa Hawkeye and Creighton Blue Jay, Lauren Jensen, signed a rookie deal with Washington on Wednesday. Not sure if she can make the roster but thought it was interesting and a bit surprising.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Bridget and the Lynx on TV right now versus the Paige Bueckers Wings.

 

[BoxsterCy]

 

[acoustimac]

There should be an Iowa State day for a Minnesota game.