Alina Yagupova's return to 'Mersin'
Alina Yagupova will continue her career at the Turkish club 'Mersin' as a free agent. This is already the fourth stage of her cooperation with the club, previously she played for 'Mersin' in 2017-2019, 2020, and 2023. In the last season, Yagupova played for 'Valencia', with which she won two national champion titles, the Cup, and the Supercup of Spain.
Statistics and preparation
At 'Valencia', Alina played 86 matches, demonstrating an average of 10.7 points and 3 assists per game. It is noted that the contract with 'Valencia' was terminated in early December 2025. In the national championship, Yagupova had an average of 6.8 points, while in the EuroLeague she averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 assists. To maintain her playing form, she also played for 'Crvena Zvezda', where she averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.
As part of the preparation for upcoming competitions, Yagupova participated in the qualification for EuroBasket-2027, where she scored an average of 12 points per game in three matches. Alina's debut for 'Mersin' may take place on January 6, 2026, in a Turkish Cup match against 'Botas'. The team will also compete for a place in the quarterfinals of the Eurocup in January 2026. The next games for the women's national team of Ukraine are scheduled for March 2026. Yagupova entered the top-5 in the qualifying round for the women's EuroBasket-2027 for assists, demonstrating an average of 7.3 assists.
Alina Yagupova's return to 'Mersin' marks an important stage in her career, as the club has significant potential for international competition. Her experience and successes in previous stages of competitions could be key for the team in future matches. Yagupova continues to actively participate in international competitions, highlighting her importance for Ukrainian basketball and the women's team as a whole.