Five former WBB Cards in WNBA -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 FIVE EX-CARDS ON WNBA ROSTERS. 

Jeff Walz is well-renown for developing talent to play at the next level. And that is evident in the 2026 WNBA rosters. Five Cards are in "the big show"

We covered Emily Engstler being on the Portland Fire yesterday. Add to the list Myisha Hines-Allen (Indiana Fever), Dana Evans (Las Vegas Aces), Sydney Taylor (Chicago Sky) and Laura Ziegler (Los Angeles Sparks) 

While it's true that three of the five didn't start at Louisville and transferred in to finish their college time..it's a sign that they came to Louisville to face tough competition and learn from the Cardinals coaches in hopes of continuing to play in the WNBA. 

Sydney Taylor spent her first four years of college at UMass. before coming to Louisville for a fifth season. She averaged 10.4 points a game in her only year at Louisville. 

Laura Ziegler spent three years at St. Joseph before transferring to Louisville.. Hailing from Denmark, she averaged 11 points a game in her final season of college basketball as a Cardinals starter .

Looking at the Cards projected 2026-27 roster, it's interesting to note that four players from last year's roster have transferred off the team. Peyton Bradley, Anaya Hardy, Isla Juffermans and Skylar Jones a have departed. Three are transferring in...Carys Baker from Virginia Tech, Zam Jones from NC State and Deniya Prawl from Tennessee are transferring in. and the freshmen are coming on board.

Are any of the upcoming seniors being considered for the WNBA?  As of now, there is only one senior, in Elif Istanbulluoglu. Out of Turkey, you've have to think her chances are good of making a WNBA roster after she graduates. She averaged over 10 points as a junior last year and her experience should make her one of the best players in the ACC this upcoming season. 

We like this "uniform" on Putra

A player I will watch with particular interest is Yevheniia Putra, who will be a sophomore this season...out of the Ukraine. The 21-year-old Putra also has a plethora of international experience with the Ukraine National Team. She put up 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds during the 2025 FIBA Women's Eurobasket, averaged 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's Eurobasket, as well as 14.5 points and 9.2 boards in the 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship.

Cards WBB is only four months away. This team looks to be potentially one of the best in Cards WBB history. I'm ready for tipoff, are you? 

paulie

 

WBB Adds Late Signee -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Pick Up Post Player in Putra

Photo by Caledonia Gladiators

Jeff Walz wasn't quite finished building his roster for the 2025-2026 season. Louisville women's basketball announced the signing of Yevheniia (also spelled Yvheniia) Putra, a post player from Ukraine.

Putra is currently playing professionally overseas, which does not impact her NCAA eligibility. Most recently she was playing in Slovakia for MBK Ruzomberok. The 6'3 post player has played in 32 games, averaging 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. She also has experience playing in FIBA for the Ukraine National Team.

Photo by Caledonia Gladiators

Putra adds depth at a position that has been slim for Louisville in recent seasons. She also has the potential to be another dominant post player alongside players such as Elif Istanbulluoglu and Isla Juffermans.

She joins two other incoming freshmen for the upcoming season in forward Grace Mugua and guard Peyton Bradley. The Cards also have three incoming transfers in forward Laura Ziegler, guard Reyna Scott, and guard/forward Skylar Jones.

Louisville isn't a program that rebuilds, they just reload. In the era of the transfer portal and NIL, massive roster changes are becoming more common and the Cards have been able to handle that fairly well.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared