Holly Winterburn: A British Guard’s Long Road to the WNBA
Making a WNBA roster is difficult enough for American college stars who’ve spent their whole lives inside the domestic basketball pipeline. Doing it as a British player who’s spent most of her career in European leagues, after going undrafted, is a considerably steeper climb. Holly Winterburn has spent the past year proving it’s possible — even after being cut from one WNBA roster along the way.
From Northampton to Oregon, and back to Europe
Winterburn was born on 1 October 2000 in Northampton, England, and built her early career in Britain, playing for the Leicester Riders from 2015 to 2019 before a season at the University of Oregon in 2019-2020. Rather than staying in American college basketball, she returned to the Leicester Riders and then moved into a genuinely well-travelled European club career: the London Lions from 2021 to 2024, Beşiktaş in Turkey through 2025, and Athinaikos in Greece for the 2025-26 season.
A decorated European career
Winterburn’s résumé in domestic British and European competition is genuinely substantial: five-time Women’s British Basketball League Betty Codona Trophy champion, three-time WBBL League champion, three-time WBBL Play-off champion, and a two-time WBBL Cup winner, alongside being named the league’s Young Player of the Year three times early in her career. She added a FIBA EuroCup Women title with Beşiktaş in 2024 and reached the EuroCup final again in 2026, along with winning the Greek Women’s Basketball League title, play-offs, and cup with Athinaikos.
Going undrafted, then signing anyway
Winterburn went undrafted in the 2025 WNBA Draft, a common outcome for international players without a US college pedigree built up over multiple seasons. She signed with the Atlanta Dream as a free agent regardless, only to be ruled out for the 2025 season entirely due to injury before playing a game.
Cut, then a fresh chance in Portland
Winterburn made Atlanta’s roster for the 2026 season and appeared in preseason action, but was ultimately cut by the Dream. In a genuinely dramatic turn, reports indicated she learned the news while literally getting on the team bus. Rather than her WNBA opportunity ending there, the Portland Fire signed her to a developmental contract in May 2026, giving her a second chance to establish herself in the league. She’s featured in limited minutes across her appearances with both clubs, contributing modest but genuine WNBA-level production as she works to carve out a consistent role.
Representing Great Britain
Beyond her club career, Winterburn plays for the Great Britain women’s national basketball team, giving her international experience alongside her club commitments across three different countries’ domestic leagues.
Where her career stands
Holly Winterburn’s path — a British basketball upbringing, a single season of American college ball, a genuinely decorated European club career, and a WNBA journey that’s included going undrafted, an injury-wiped season, and being cut before finding a new opportunity in Portland — reflects just how difficult and nonlinear the route into America’s top women’s basketball league can be for international players. Her perseverance through that sequence of setbacks speaks to a genuine commitment to establishing herself at the highest level the sport offers.
Quick facts
Full name: Holly Winterburn | Born: 1 October 2000, Northampton, England | Team: Portland Fire (WNBA, developmental contract) | Notable: Five-time WBBL Betty Codona Trophy champion, 2024 FIBA EuroCup Women champion with Beşiktaş, Great Britain women’s national team player.
Frequently asked questions
What team does Holly Winterburn play for?
The Portland Fire in the WNBA, having signed a developmental contract in May 2026 after being cut by the Atlanta Dream.
Where is Holly Winterburn from?
Northampton, England; she’s played for the Great Britain women’s national basketball team.
Did Holly Winterburn play college basketball in the US?
Yes, one season at the University of Oregon in 2019-2020, before returning to British and European club basketball.
What titles has Holly Winterburn won in Europe?
Multiple WBBL titles in Britain and a FIBA EuroCup Women championship with Beşiktaş in 2024, among other domestic honours in Greece and Turkey.
Was Holly Winterburn drafted into the WNBA?
No — she went undrafted in 2025 but signed with the Atlanta Dream as a free agent regardless.