Choice to spend the off-season abroad is more than just another contract, even for a player with Megan Gustafson’s level of success.
It’s an opportunity to develop, grow, and remind everyone—including herself—of why she’s still a major player in the NBA. With Europe in her sights, Gustavson, the former Iowa Hawkeyes legend whose dominance in college earned her the title of national player of the year in 2019, is getting ready to embark on her next adventure overseas.
She’s not merely playing to pass the time. She is playing to compete, win, and advance her already remarkable career, which still has a long way to go. Returning to Europe with a purpose This is not her first trip to Europe. Gustafson has played professionally abroad in the past, adjusting to the grind of winter leagues overseas as well as various playing styles and cultural rhythms.
Returning to Europe with a purpose This is not her first trip to Europe. Gustafson has played professionally abroad in the past, adjusting to the grind of winter leagues overseas as well as various playing styles and cultural rhythms.
What has changed? New possibilities and expectations have joined her. The game in Europe frequently calls for more adaptable players, such as larger forwards who can move and defend in space in addition to finishing inside.
Gustafson is conscious of that dual demand as she gets ready for her off-season with a European club (rumors suggest Turkey is one of the destinations). She is an expert with a toolbox to keep growing; she is no longer just the paint presence of her college days.
Why this is important When many players might rest, recuperate, or train at home during the off-season, why does Gustafson opt to play abroad? Because European leagues have a different rhythm, with longer seasons, a variety of opponents, travel, and a constant need for adjustment. It all makes her sharper. It gives her career more momentum.
Consider it this way: she entered the WNBA, where roles shift, minutes vary, and every possession counts, after dominating in Iowa. She is demonstrating her commitment to staying sharp, contributing, and not just waiting for the next WNBA tip-off by playing a full season overseas. Also, those European games bring spectators, titles, and stakes that, more often than not, feel like finals. The experience is beneficial.
The drive, the grind, and the human side She is also a human. The type of player who recalls the clamor in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the thrilling sensation of leading a team, and the pressure and happiness that accompany it. There is disruption when relocating to a different nation and getting used to new teammates and coaches.
However, there is also progress. Resilience exists. Although it hasn’t always been simple, Gustavson’s journey has included breaking records, being selected to the first team of the All-American team, and winning major honors.
It was a leap from college to the professional ranks. The time spent abroad is an additional leap. In many respects, her decision to keep moving forward instead of comfortably settling is a declaration that she still thinks she has more to achieve.
Things to observe Will she play a more nuanced role on her European team or will she be the go-to scorer like she was in Iowa? Physical preparedness: Risks associated with off-season moves include injury and fatigue.
Gustafson will have to balance his workload and recuperation. Return to the WNBA: What impact will her European season have on her upcoming WNBA campaign? Will her reputation improve with the extra minutes and experience?
It’s bold, sure. But for someone who’s never seemed content with “enough,” it makes perfect sense. And when the lights go on in another country, in a different arena, Gustafson will be ready—not just to play, but to leave her mark.
