Each month, we will highlight the Liberty players who are currently competing overseas during the 2020-21 WNBA offseason. Let’s take a look around the world beginning with the second Libs Abroad Player of the Month: Han Xu.
Han Xu – Xinjiang Magic Deer (14-2, 2-0) – Xinjiang, China
Han Xu, the Liberty’s youngest player, has been dominant through her entire regular season schedule with Xinjiang in China, leading the Magic Deer to a 14-2 finish. Later today, Han has the opportunity to capture the team’s first-ever WCBA Championship after two playoff wins in similarly dominant fashion.
Han and Xinjiang have plenty of momentum coming into the finals, as they have now won 14-straight games dating back to October 13, 2020. The 6-9 center currently leads the Magic Deer in several statistical categories this season including points per game (22.3), field goals made (172), rebounds per game (8.5) and blocks per game (2.1).
Han’s stat line of 26.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG and 2.0 BPG this month has earned her the December Libs Abroad Player of the Month award.
Marine Johannès – Lyon ASVEL Feminin (5-2, 2-1) – Lyon, France
From record-setting scoring performances, magician-like passes and the ability to convert from just about anywhere on the floor, Marine Johannès wasted no time catching the attention of the EuroLeague as Lyon ASVEL competed in its first hub of the season.
Lyon is currently 5-2 in French League play, and finished the first stretch of their EuroLeague games with a record of 2-1. Marine’s 38-point performance on December 3 was the highest-scoring game in EuroLeague Women play in four years.
Between both leagues, JoJo is currently averaging 14.7 points and 4.4 assists per game, while also shooting 40.0% from deep.
Megan Walker – Sopron (11-0, 4-0) – Sopron, Hungary
Megan Walker, the second of four Liberty players who are competing in both a national league and EuroLeague, is the only remaining player to boast an undefeated record across both schedules.
Walker has played an impactful role in Sopron’s success, helping the club to a perfect 11-0 Hungarian League start and 4-0 opening in EuroLeague. Combining both leagues, she is currently averaging 12.6 points while shooting 40.3% (21-52) from three and grabbing 5.0 rebounds per game.
Joyner Holmes – Maccabi Ra’anana (1-5) – Ra’anana, Israel
Paris Kea – Maccabi Haifa (3-3) – Haifa, Israel
Jocelyn Willoughby – Hapoel Petah Tikva (4-2) – Petah Tikva, Israel
Joyner, Paris and Jocelyn have all experienced early offensive success in Israeli League play.
Willoughby is currently leading the trio with averages of 25.2 points and 7.2 rebounds on 42.9% shooting from deep for Hapoel Petah Tikva. Kea has averaged 18.6 points, 4.3 boards and 3.3 assists per contest in Maccabi Haifa’s backcourt. Holmes is also off to big start with Maccabi Ra’anana, as the Liberty’s only player abroad averaging a double-double of 13.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Amanda Zahui B – Dynamo Kursk (10-1, 0-2) – Kursk, Russia
Amanda Zahui B has continued to make an impact on both ends of the floor for Dynamo Kursk, as her club has gotten off to a 10-1 start in Russian League competition.
Despite an 0-2 start in EuroLeague action, Zahui B averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, while shooting 36.4% (4-11) from beyond the arc in Kursk’s first hub.
Amanda and Dynamo Kursk are slated to return to action on January 10 against Dynamo NR.
Rebecca Allen – Valencia Basket (17-1) – Valencia, Spain
Rebecca Allen, the reigning Libs Abroad Player of the Month, has continued to build upon her early success with Valencia Basket in Spain.
Allen is currently averaging 12.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.2% (35-83) from three-point range through her first 18 contests.
Bec and Valencia will look to continue their impressive season on January 3 as they take on Clarinos.
Kiah Stokes – Fenerbache (13-0, 2-1) – Fenerbache, Turkey
Kiah Stokes, the Liberty’s fourth EuroLeague player, has helped Fenerbache remain undefeated in the Turkish League as they sit atop the standings at a perfect 13-0. The Liberty’s longest-tenured player has averaged 7.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in her club’s domestic schedule.
Stokes also had impactful minutes for Fenerbache in EuroLeague play, as she averaged 7.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in her first hub of games, helping the perennial contenders to a 2-1 start.