Minnesota Lynx Sign Maria Kliundikova

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx announced today the team has signed center Maria Kliundikova. Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not released. 

Kliundikova, 26, has played alongside Lynx rookie Anastasiia Olairi Kosu since 2022-23 with Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Premier Basketball League. This season, the 6-4 center averaged 11.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, shooting 52.3% from the field and 84.1% from the free-throw line in 36 games played, and was named MVP of the Premier League Playoffs. 

Kliundikova (née Vadeeva) was selected in the first round with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Through two seasons in Los Angeles (2018 and 2019), she averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds, shooting 50.6% from the field in 40 games played. She recorded a career-high 24 points (11-20 FG, 2-4 3PT) with 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals at Las Vegas on May 26, 2019. 

Kliundikova 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 by averaging 18.4 points and 14.0 rebounds in seven starts. 

Minnesota will continue Commissioner’s Cup play in Dallas against the Wings on Sunday June 8 at 3:00 p.m. CT. Watch the game on KARE 11 and FanDuel Sports Network, and listen on KFAN 100.3 FM, iHeartRadio app and the Lynx app.