Career: BelGUT Gomel (Belarus-Div. 1, 1996-99), BelGUT-Vedritsa Gomel Region (1999-2000), Seminole Community College (USA-NJCAA, 2000-02), Wabash Walley (USA-NJCAA, 2002-03), West Virginia (USA-NCAA, 2003-06), Charlotte Sting (USA-WNBA, 2006), TEO Vilnius (Lithuania-LMKL, 2006-07), Estudiantes Madrid (Spain-LF, 2007), Washington Mystics (USA-WNBA, 2007). TEO Vilnius (Lithuania-LMKL, 2007-08), UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia-Superleague, 2008-09), Galatasaray (Turkey-TBBL, 2009-10), Atlanta Dream (USA-WNBA, 2010), AZS Gorzow (Poland-PLKK), Wisla Can Pack (Poland-PLKK, 2011)
The face of Belarusian Women's basketball, Yelena Leuchanka has been a tower of strength for her nation during their rise to prominence in the last four years. She has scored more points than anyone else during the last four major competitions and arguably had her best tournament last year at the FIBA World Championship Women. She was a member of the All Star Five and that was not surprising after some typically influential performances, including a double-double against Greece to help her team book a semi-final spot. She averaged an impressive nearly 15 points and 9 rebounds per game and showed everyone just why she remains the kingpin of this Belarus roster. Athletic and imposing with or without the ball in her hands, her on-court demeanour always suggests she has the capacity to dominate her opponent and on many occasions she fulfils this task. A EuroLeague Women All Star earlier this year, Leuchanka was also the first Belarus player to step out in the WNBA. She has a host of medals in her collection after playing for the likes of UMMC Ekaterinburg and yet again will be vying for honours whether it be individual accolades or a trip to the medal stand.
|
