Cecilia Zandalasini Bio
Cecilia Zandalasini (born 16 March 1996) is an Italian professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Valkyries of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for Famila Basket Schio of the Lega Basket Femminile. She also represents the Italian national team. Standing at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and listed at 175 lb (79 kg), Zandalasini plays the small forward position and is known for her scoring ability and rebounding.
Zandalasini began her professional career in 2010 and quickly emerged as one of the most promising talents in European women’s basketball. She was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship for Women and has since built a résumé that includes domestic championships in Italy and Turkey, along with a WNBA title and a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Early Life and Background
Cecilia Zandalasini was born on 16 March 1996 in Broni, a town in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. She is the daughter of Roberto Zandalasini and Paola Lombardi. Growing up in a small Italian town, she was introduced to basketball at a young age and developed her skills within the local youth system.
While playing with Geas Basket in her early teenage years, she won six Italian youth club championships, an achievement that signaled her potential as a future star. Her size, court vision, and scoring instincts allowed her to progress quickly through the youth ranks, and she was ready for senior competition well before the typical age for professional players in Europe.
Italy’s tradition of producing skilled women’s basketball players provided a strong foundation for her development, and her time in organized youth basketball gave her the technical base and competitive mindset that would later help her succeed at the highest levels of the sport in Europe and the United States.
Path to Basketball
Zandalasini’s path to the professional ranks began with Geas Basket, where she played during the 2013 to 2014 season at just 17 years old. Serving primarily as a guard, she led the team in scoring with 314 total points across 20 games, averaging 15.7 points per game. That early production confirmed she was ready for top-level competition in Italy’s Serie A1.
Her performances in youth club championships and her strong debut in the Italian top flight attracted the attention of larger clubs. In 2014, she joined PF Schio, a perennial Italian powerhouse, where she continued her rapid rise and began competing in the EuroLeague Women. By the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship for Women, she had established herself as a leading international prospect, earning tournament MVP honors and drawing global attention from scouts and journalists.
That same summer of 2016, with European and American clubs tracking her progress, Zandalasini positioned herself as one of the most sought-after young players in the world. Her blend of size, skill, and competitive temperament set the stage for a professional career that would soon span multiple countries and continents.
Cecilia Zandalasini Career
Early Career (2013 to 2014)
Zandalasini’s senior career began with Geas Basket in 2013, where she made an immediate impact as a 17-year-old guard. Her 15.7 points per game average highlighted her scoring instincts and served as a strong foundation for the rest of her career. Although her time at Geas was brief, it offered her valuable minutes in one of Europe’s top women’s leagues.
In 2014, she made the move to PF Schio, a dominant force in Italian women’s basketball. At Schio, she joined a competitive roster and quickly adapted to the demands of regular EuroLeague Women competition. Her development in this environment allowed her to refine her offensive game and grow into a more versatile small forward.
PF Schio Era (2014 to 2018)
Zandalasini’s third season with Schio in 2016-17 proved to be a breakthrough. The team won the Coppa Italia and reached the Serie A1 playoff finals that year. In EuroLeague Women postseason play, Zandalasini averaged a team-high 13.5 points per game, establishing herself as a go-to scorer on the continental stage.
During this period, she also represented Italy at EuroBasket Women 2017, where she averaged 19.0 points (second in the event) and 9.6 rebounds (third in the event), earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Jeff Taylor of FIBA.com described her performance as the greatest FIBA EuroBasket Women debut of all time, a statement that underscored her rapid emergence as a global star.
Minnesota Lynx (2017 to 2018)
With only three games remaining in the 2017 WNBA regular season, the Minnesota Lynx signed Zandalasini as an unrestricted free agent on 28 August 2017. Although her minutes were limited, she joined the team for the playoffs, which the Lynx won, giving her an early WNBA championship to her credit.
On 7 February 2018, the Lynx announced they would re-sign Zandalasini for the 2018 season. She became a breakout player that year, highlighted by a buzzer-beating play against the New York Liberty on 16 June. She embraced the sixth-woman role and earned more minutes as the season progressed, cementing her value to the franchise.
Fenerbahçe Era (2018 to 2021)
On 4 July 2018, Zandalasini signed a two-year deal with Turkish club Fenerbahçe, expanding her career into the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League. With Fenerbahçe, she won multiple trophies, including Turkish Super League championships in 2019 and 2021, Turkish Cup championships in 2019 and 2020, and the Turkish Presidential Cup in 2019.
Her time in Istanbul also strengthened her profile in the EuroLeague Women, where Fenerbahçe regularly competed for titles. The exposure to a high-pressure environment and top-tier teammates helped her refine her game and prepared her for future international challenges.
Virtus Bologna Era (2021 to 2024)
On 5 May 2021, Zandalasini signed a two-year deal with Italian club Virtus Bologna, marking her return to Italian basketball. The team reached the Italian league finals for the first time in its history in 2022, and it qualified for EuroLeague Women competition. Although Virtus fell short in both title pursuits, the experience helped elevate the club’s standing in European basketball.
During her time at Virtus, Zandalasini was part of a competitive squad that included the 2023 Italian Supercup championship. The Bologna years allowed her to return to a familiar league and contribute to a rising program before seeking new opportunities abroad.
Galatasaray and Return to Schio (2024 to 2025)
On 24 July 2024, Zandalasini signed with Galatasaray of the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League. She contributed to the team’s efforts during the 2024 to 2025 season, and on 28 May 2025, the club published a thank-you message as she departed. In 2025, she returned to Famila Basket Schio, the club where she had previously enjoyed some of her most successful years.
Minnesota Lynx Return and WNBA Commissioner’s Cup (2024)
On 19 April 2024, Zandalasini signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx, and on 14 May, it was announced that she had made the final roster. With the Lynx, she won the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, adding another major trophy to her collection. The return to Minnesota allowed her to reconnect with a familiar organization and a strong supporting cast.
Golden State Valkyries Era (2025 to Present)
On 6 December 2024, Zandalasini was selected as the Golden State Valkyries’ pick from the Minnesota Lynx’ roster in the 2024 WNBA expansion draft, making her one of the foundational players for the WNBA’s newest franchise. On 7 April 2026, she signed a one-year deal with the Valkyries ahead of the 2026 WNBA season, confirming her commitment to the team’s early identity.
As one of the most experienced international players on the Valkyries’ roster, she is expected to play a leadership role on and off the court. Her versatility as a small forward who can score, rebound, and facilitate makes her a valuable piece for a young franchise building its competitive foundation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zandalasini is known for her smooth perimeter shooting, strong basketball intelligence, and ability to rebound at a high level for her position. Her height of 6 ft 2 in allows her to score over smaller defenders, while her skill set enables her to stretch the floor as a small forward. Defensively, she uses her size and anticipation to disrupt opponents, and her experience in multiple leagues has made her a composed and adaptable player in high-pressure moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature achievements are the 2017 WNBA Championship with the Minnesota Lynx, the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, and her MVP performance at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship for Women. Her 2017 EuroBasket Women debut, where she averaged 19.0 points and 9.6 rebounds, is widely regarded as one of the most impressive tournament debuts in the event’s history.
Cecilia Zandalasini Career Wins
Cecilia Zandalasini has compiled an impressive collection of titles across Italian, Turkish, and American basketball. Her victories span domestic leagues, cups, and WNBA competitions, reflecting her longevity and consistency at the top level of the sport.
WNBA Highlights
Zandalasini won a WNBA Championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017 after joining the team late in the season. She later won the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup during her second stint with the Lynx, capping a successful return to the franchise. She was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2024 WNBA expansion draft, becoming a key part of the expansion team’s foundation.
Italian and Turkish League Highlights
In Italy, she won the Coppa Italia and reached the Serie A1 playoff finals with PF Schio, and she added the 2023 Italian Supercup with Virtus Bologna. In Turkey, she claimed two Turkish Super League titles (2019, 2021), two Turkish Cup titles (2019, 2020), and the 2019 Turkish Presidential Cup with Fenerbahçe.
Cecilia Zandalasini Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zandalasini was born to Roberto Zandalasini and Paola Lombardi. Her upbringing in Broni, a small town in Lombardy, helped shape her grounded approach to the sport and her strong connection to her Italian roots.
Personal Life
Zandalasini has built her professional life around basketball, playing across multiple countries in Europe and the United States. Her career has taken her from Italy to Turkey and the WNBA, and she continues to be recognized as one of the most accomplished Italian women’s basketball players of her generation.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Zandalasini split her commitments between the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League with Galatasaray and her return to Famila Basket Schio in Italy. Her time with Galatasaray added another chapter to her successful Turkish career, and her return to Schio reunited her with one of Italy’s most decorated programs.
In the WNBA, she joined the Golden State Valkyries’ roster as a foundational player, with her role set to expand during the 2026 season after signing a one-year deal in April 2026. Her international experience and championship pedigree position her as a central figure for the expansion franchise.
Looking ahead, Zandalasini remains a key contributor at both the club and international levels. With continued production in the WNBA, the EuroLeague Women, and the Italian league, she is well-positioned to add to her trophy collection and reinforce her status as a veteran leader in the sport.