One of the WNBA’s undefeated teams just added another elite center

The Minnesota Lynx have signed Russian center Maria Kliundikova, according to the WNBA’s transaction page.

That came just a few days after they waived French forward Marieme Badiane ahead of the Eurobasket tournament.

Kliundikova was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the 11th overall pick in 2018, and spent two seasons with the organization. She played 25 games in her rookie season, averaging 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game on 52.7% shooting

Last season, she played 13 games for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, averaging 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on 50% shooting.

The 26-year-old has had a storied career in Europe; she won the EuroLeague Championship with Dynamo Kursk in 2017 ,and with UMMC Ekaterinburg in 2019 and 2021. She was also named the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup MVP after helping Russia win a gold medal, averaging 18.4 points and 14 rebounds.

Maria Kliundikova spent training camp with the Los Angeles Sparks

In February, the Sparks signed Kliundikova to a training camp deal.

“I am very happy to be back with the Sparks,” she said in an official press release. “Everything has changed here, and there’s a new and exciting energy. This is a new challenge for me, too, and I think we will succeed together as a team.”

While Kliundikova was waived after training camp, she now gets another chance on one of the WNBA’s top teams.

The Minnesota Lynx are 8-0 to begin the season, one of two undefeated teams in the WNBA.