Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Golden Gophers players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Rachel Banham, a 5'10'' point guard who is 32 years old and graduated from Minnesota in 2016, currently plays professionally in the WNBA. In a recent game, she played a crucial role in leading the Chicago Sky to victory against the Connecticut Sun with a score of 85-80. Despite the Chicago Sky having a somewhat weak 4-8 record this season, it is still early in the season, leaving room for improvement and unexpected outcomes. During the game, Banham showcased her skills by scoring 6 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in just 22 minutes of play. Her exceptional performance against the Connecticut Sun was key to securing the win, ultimately earning her the title of champion of the game. Throughout this season, Banham has been averaging 5.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in the 12 games she has participated in so far. Banham's talent and contributions on the court continue to shine, highlighting her capabilities as a standout finalist in the WNBA.
#2. Australian Jessie Edwards, a 30-year-old center standing at 6'4'' and an alumna of the Golden Gophers class of 2018, showcased her prowess on the basketball court by leading the Cockburn Cougars to a decisive 87-77 victory over the fifth-ranked Giants in the Australian NBL One North league, which is the second division of basketball in Australia. In this thrilling game, Edwards displayed her skills by scoring 14 points, securing 8 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots in just 23 minutes of play. The impressive performance by Jessie Edwards was a key factor in Cockburn Cougars' triumph, elevating her to the status of a true champion in the match. This victory further solidified the Cougars' position as a formidable team, currently holding the second spot in the West group standings with a record of 9 wins and 2 losses. Notably, Edwards continued her stellar form in another game against Goldfields G, where she once again stood out with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist. Her consistent high-level play throughout the season has been remarkable, as evidenced by her impressive season averages of 17.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in the 11 games she has competed in so far. Jessie Edwards is truly proving herself as a standout finalist in the league, demonstrating her exceptional skills and contribution to her team's success.
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
Finau Tonga (6'1''-F, played in 2025-26) plays for San Francisco Riptide in the WPBA
Annika Stewart (6'3''-F/C-2002, played in 2024-25) played for Geelong United in Australian NBL One few monts ago
Masha Adashchyk (5'11''-SG-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for Metallurg MGN in Russian Higher League
Janay Sanders (5'11''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Charlotte Crown in the UpShot
Irene Garrido (6'1''-F-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for Picken Claret in Spanish LF2
Brylee Glenn (5'10''-G, played in 2025-26) plays for Team Florence in the Eurobasket S.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
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
