Turkish guard Derin Erdogan thought she’d check out of basketball for a few weeks once her season with Galatasaray came to an end. But a last-minute call from the Liberty earlier this month changed everything.
“It’s kind of funny,” Erdogan recalled Tuesday. “I always had a dream to play in the WNBA obviously, but I never thought it would happen this year. Maybe in the future, but this year, I just mentally was like, ‘I guess I’m done after the season.’ ”
Erdogan, 23, was packing for the EuroLeague Women Final Six in Zaragoza, Spain, when her phone rang.
She was surprised to see her agent’s name pop up across the screen. She initially was confused why her agent was calling so late, but figured it was important.
Erdogan was speechless when her agent told her the Liberty wanted to sign her to a training camp contract.
“I was just shocked,” she said. “I couldn’t react that much, but I was so happy. But I was just in shock basically and [my agent] was so confused because I couldn’t react. She was like, ‘You know this is an offer that you cannot decline?’ I’m like, ‘Obviously. I know, it’s just I’m in shock.’”
The reality started to sink in about 30 minutes later, she said.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “So really happy to be here.”
The Liberty like Erdogan’s physicality and strength.
The 5-foot-6 point guard is an aggressive driver and scorer who gives the Liberty an additional facilitator at camp.
She could make a push for New York’s final developmental contract. But overall, she said she’s just enjoying the experience.
“I’m taking it step by step,” she said. “Just being grateful for this opportunity, trying to do my best, being a good teammate, having a great attitude, trying to go hard, play hard every single practice… Just want to enjoy the moment.”
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert previously discussed the potential for the league to explore playing a game outside of North America in the near future.
And Marine Johannès has just the place where the WNBA could make its international debut.
“I think Paris is a good spot actually,” Johannès said. “We already had an NBA game with [Victor Wembanyama] last time, so it was a pretty good, great event. A lot of people are coming, I feel like there is not enough space for everyone because everyone wants to go to the game.”
The WNBA has never been more popular, and Johannès agreed with Engelbert that the league should take steps to globalize the game.
“I really think we are ready,” she said. “[International fans] just want the opportunity to live this moment.”
