For the first time in history, the Belgian Cats lifted their first EuroBasket title in 2023. The Cats were trailing Spain by 5 points, which they successfully recovered through the relentless efforts from Kyara Linskens and Emma Meesseman, who worked the 4th quarter and took over Spain with a 64-58 victory in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Linskens, who was later named the player of the match, played a pivotal role delivering a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds alongside 3 blocks that propelled Belgium towards this landmark victory.

Born in 1996 in Bruges, Belgium, Kyara Linskens is a member of the Belgium women’s national basketball team, aka the Belgian Cats and BLMA. With a towering height of 6-foot-4, the center is a force to reckon with on the court, keeping her stronghold mostly on the offensive end. Let’s explore a bit more about this European firebolt.

Kyara Linskens’ on-court life in stats

In her 12-year career as a professional basketball athlete, Linskens has played for several basketball clubs under the EuroCup Women’s League. In 2012, she began her career playing for Basket Hema SKW, a basketball team based in the city of Hema which is known for its passion for basketball. The team is known for its dedicated female athletes who prefer to play a fast-paced and aggressive style on the court. Linskens spent 2 years with the club, absorbing all she could.

Following that, Linskens went on to play for the Castors Braine. First-season in the club, Linskens was having a quiet season, played in only 4 games, and registered an average of 1.5 points, 0.3 assists, and a rebound. In 2016, Linskens couldn’t demonstrate her skills much despite appearing in 12 games.

Thereafter, Kyara Linskens found prospects for growth with the Namur basketball club, where in only 6 games, she averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. The next season, Linskens spent playing for the Basketball Nymburk. There too, she appeared in only 6 games, however, she made her presence felt with a strong offense. She averaged a double-double of 12.5 points and 13 rebounds.

A transformational journey was in full motion for Linskens as she continued to play for different clubs, seasoning her playing style. As a member of the reigning FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Champion, the Belgian Cats, Kyara Linskens is one of the top 10 players to watch for at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, she did give an injury scare for her fans as she sustained an ankle injury before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled in Antwerp.

Linskens and the Belgian Cats at the Olympics 2024

The Cats had to move forward without Linskens, yet they emerged victors against Senegal and Nigeria. However, they stumbled 81-79 against Team USA in an epic buzzer-beater in front of a sold-out 13,700 audience in attendance. Nonetheless, with a 2-1 record, they secured their ticket to Paris. Linkens, though absent, would prove a necessary presence going forward.

Looking back at the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022, Kyara Linskens’ clutch performance of 24 points, and 13 rebounds led Belgium to a 65-68 win against Puerto Rico. Similarly, with her astonishing skills in the 2023 European Championship, Linskens played a crucial role and led Belgium to its first-ever gold. On the other hand, the Cats have mostly depended upon the generational star and 5-time Euroleague Champion, 2019 WNBA champion, and the 2023 EuroBasket Tournament MVP, Emma Meesseman.

Moving forward, the Belgian Cats have been trusted to Group C, aka ‘The Group of Death’ where the only agenda is revenge. As a result, the Cats will be getting the opportunity to once again face Japan and mend the heartbreak from the Tokyo Olympics 2020. They will also get a chance to once again face Team USA and make up for the loss in the qualifying tournament. But first, they will be playing against Germany, the Olympic rookies.

The Belgium National Team poses a string roster with Emma Meesseman as their inspirational centerpiece. Donning the Belgium jersey, she effortlessly dominates in points and rebounds, with a dash of her underrated defense.

However, now the Belgian Cats are witnessing a collaborative shift with their golden generation of players including LA Sparks’ Julie Allemand and Kyara Linskens, who was named the 2023 EuroBasket Finals MVP. Together they provide a strong backbone to their team. Both Allemand and Linskens have been struck with unfortunate ankle injuries, however, Linskens is expected to return before the grand event, with hopes still tied with Allemond to recover soon.

Julie Vanloo’s smooth shooting serves poise and production from the backcourt. Moreover, the wing areas are growing stronger alongside their firm impact with other players including Antonia Delaere and Maxuella Lisow-Mbaka.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video: