The WNBA season in basketball begins this weekend. Finland’s head coach Pekka Salminen believes that Awak Kuier has been able to develop his problem areas last season. In the light of the statistics, the winter season in Europe was dramatically better than before.
Through the women’s NBA, the first Finnish player of his time, 20 years old Awak Kuier is starting another one through the back of the rapak. The starting points are teasingly promising.
Kuier was booked to the U.S. Professional League WNBA, the Dallas Wings team, just over a year ago as the second of the whole event. Wings had the first two rounds of booking and, as expected, was the first Yankee player to book Charli Collierin.
In the 2021 season, Kuier played 16 regular season games in Dallas. The average playing time was just under nine minutes. Kuier scored an average of 2.4 points per match and took the same number of rebounds.
The WNBA season is played from spring to fall. Because wages in the series are low, many will move to European series for the “winter season.” So Kuierkin played for the 2021-22 season in Ragusa, Italy.
The season was the second for Kuier in Ragusa, and according to statistics, the trend has been dramatic. In addition to the statistics shown below, Kuier won the regular season fight statistics in Italy. Kuier blocked an average of 2.2 throws per match.
The story continues after the graphics below.
Since 2015, he has been the head coach of the Finnish women’s national team Pekka Salminen describes Kuier’s past through Italy as a “logical continuum.”
– It was kind of expected. His development has progressed steadily in this way. The jump was statistically moderately big, but close to that level Awak has been able to play before. He just does every thing a little better and more mature.
Salminen believes it is much easier to start the second WNBA season than the first. Salminen has met with the coaching staff of Dallas Wings and knows that they too have paid attention to Kuier’s development. Wings ’club leadership also hopes Kuier will be able to take on a bigger role.
– Awak himself knows he is ready to move on. The development continues steadily and he is taking on a much bigger role than in the last WNBA season, including Salminen’s own betting.
On Monday, Kuier played nearly 19 minutes, pocketed 12 points and took eight rebounds as Dallas defeated Indiana 101-89 in a practice match.
Women’s wages on the rise – teams lighten roster
– Men often make a living from playing in the NBA. Women, on the other hand, end up playing in Europe. If I could support myself by playing only in the WNBA, I would have considered taking the Yankees to and from the WNBA more seriously, Kuier described in Sports in January 2020.
However, the situation was improving. In early 2020, the WNBA and its players ’association entered into an eight-year collective agreement that included significant improvements in player conditions. The agreement also aims to raise average wages.
During this period, the WNBA’s average salary is about $ 108,000, or about $ 102,500. Spotrac earns a maximum salary of $ 228,094 (approximately € 216,000) in the current period according to (you switch to another service) three players i.e. Diana Taurasi, Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart.
Wage developments have a role to play in Kuier’s likely growing responsibility. When women’s salaries are rising, teams have reduced the number of players, says Salminen.
– Even tough players can be left out. Each team has an average of one player less. All of this seems to give Awak at least a chance to significantly increase his role. It’s up to him then, but every time he’s been able to meet the challenges so far, says Salminen.
Dallas wants to take advantage of Kuier’s gift of versatility
When it comes to Kuier’s playful role, Salminen is the first to highlight Kuieri’s versatility. Dallas also plans to take advantage of this.
– If necessary, the length and soft hands are sufficient under the basket for the vitus. In fours, he is able to throw from afar. He is also able to play in third place, a small pier. He is offered a role that turns versatility into strength.
– It also shows where he’s been in the broth. When Kuier built a game in the WNBA last season, there were a few unnecessary ball losses. That’s because game speed, player size, and physics are quite different than anywhere else. During this season in Italy, passing skills and playing developed. What has been the biggest development for WNBA has also gone a long way, Salminen is confident.
The next step in Europe would be international measures
Ragusa’s season ended this spring with semi-finals. Kuier signed a four-year contract with an Italian club in the summer of 2020, leaving two seasons left.
Of course, there may be opportunities for transfer if offers are made from other clubs and Ragusa is ready to seize one. Salminen also hopes that Kuier will soon be able to take the next step in his career in Europe. That would mean playing in the Euroleague or Eurocup.
In women’s basketball, the hardest salaries have traditionally been paid by Russian and Turkish clubs, among others. This spring the women’s Euroleague won the Ukrainian Sopron Basket. Before that, the championship had gone to Russia five times. Here, too, changes are taking place due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
– Russia had good clubs and the best jobs in women’s basketball. What happens next season? There will probably be more good jobs in Europe, for example in the direction of Italy and Spain, Salminen.
– It would be good to get to play international series. If Ragusa decides to go to the Eurocup, for example, it will definitely be a good place to continue, Salminen reflects on Kuier’s continuation on the European side.
The Dallas Wings season at the WNBA begins Finnish time on the night between Saturday and Sunday with a home game against Atlanta Dream.
Last season, Dallas finished in the top seven of the top eight playoffs, but lost to the Chicago Sky in the opening round of the playoffs. There are 12 teams playing in the WNBA.