Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Golden Gophers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Rachel Banham, a 5'10'' point guard who graduated from Minnesota in 2016 and received the All-Big Ten Player of the Year award, currently plays professionally in the WNBA. In a recent game, Banham and her team, the Chicago Sky (3-5), faced off against the Minnesota Lynx (6-2) in the Women's National Basketball Association. Despite Banham's solid performance of scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 23 minutes of play, the Chicago Sky, ranked at #6, suffered a tough 79-58 defeat on the road against the Lynx. This loss marked the Sky's fourth consecutive defeat in the season. Although the Chicago Sky is facing a challenging period with consecutive losses, it is important to note that the season is still in its early stages, and there is plenty of time for the team to turn things around. Banham's individual statistics for this season show that she is averaging 5.6 points per game and 1.1 rebounds per game in the eight games she has played thus far. In summary, despite Banham's efforts as a standout player, her team was unable to secure a victory against the Lynx. As a champion, Banham will continue to strive for success and work towards helping her team improve their performance in the upcoming games.
#2. Janay Sanders, a 26-year-old guard standing at 5'11'' and an alumna of the Golden Gophers from 2024, showcased her skills as she led her team to the final of the WNIT that year. Currently playing professionally in the UPSHOT league, Sanders recently made her debut for the Charlotte Crown. Despite her best efforts, she could not lead the struggling Crown to victory against the Savannah Steel, as they suffered their fifth consecutive loss in a row with a final score of 78-90 in favor of the Steel. In her debut game for the Charlotte Crown this season, Sanders contributed 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 12 minutes of play against the Savannah Steel, displaying glimpses of her talent on the court. It is worth noting that Sanders also participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, an experience that ultimately helped her secure a professional basketball opportunity. Although Sanders put up an impressive performance against the Savannah Steel, her individual efforts were not enough to secure a win for the Charlotte Crown. Despite her determination and skill set, the team was unable to overcome their opponents, resulting in a disappointing outcome for Sanders and the Crown.
#3. Australian Jessie Edwards, a 6'4'' center who is 30 years old and graduated from Minnesota in 2018, showcased her talent while playing professionally in Australia. In a recent game, despite her stellar performance, the third-placed Cockburn Cougars (8-2) suffered a defeat to the lower-ranked (#8) Wanneroo in the West group, with a final score of 80-85 in Joondalup. During the game, Edwards demonstrated her skills by achieving a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, along with contributing 3 assists in just 26 minutes of play. Her exceptional display of talent against Joondalup W earned her the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying her reputation as a champion player. Throughout the season, Edwards has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 18.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game in the 10 games she has competed in so far. Her consistent performance highlights her as a finalist player in the league.
Other former University of Minnesota players, who play in pro basketball:
Isabelle Gradwell (6'1''-G/F-2000, played in 2022-23) plays for Celje in Slovenian SKL
Kadiatou Sissoko (6'2''-F-1999, played in 2019-22) plays for Canberra Capitals in Australian WNBL
Kenisha Bell (5'9''-G-1994, played in 2015-15) plays for Young Angels in Slovakian Extraliga
Amanda Zahui (6'5''-C-1993, played in 2012-12) plays for Sodertalje in Swedish Damligan
Annika Stewart (6'3''-F/C-2002, played in 2024-25) played for Geelong United in Australian NBL One few monts ago
Brylee Glenn (5'10''-G, played in 2025-26) plays for Team Florence in the Eurobasket S.League
Irene Garrido (6'1''-F-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for Picken Claret in Spanish LF2
Masha Adashchyk (5'11''-SG-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for Metallurg MGN in Russian Higher League
Shae Kelley (6'1''-F-1991, played in 2014-15) plays for El Calor in Mexican LNBPF
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Minnesota basketball alumni.
Rachel Banham is last week best Golden Gophers alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @rachellbanham2)
Ex-Players
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