Marine Johannes (1.78 m, 30 years old) is now in Istanbul. Signed by Galatasaray at the end of June, the French guard joined the Istanbul club on Sunday, November 16, just after the international break. After a WNBA season with the New York Liberty (6.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 45 games), she arrives at a team enjoying great success both domestically and in Europe.
Galatasaray continues its impressive run
Galatasaray is off to an excellent start this season. Undefeated in the EuroLeague (5 wins in 5 games), the club sits atop Group B. In the Turkish league (KBSL), the team is second with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, behind Fenerbahçe, who are also still undefeated.
In a roster built to compete at the highest level, Marine Johannès joins, among others, Finnish prodigy Awak Kuier (6’4″, 24 years old) and Kamiah Smalls (5’10”, 27 years old), formerly of Villeneuve d’Ascq. Her versatility and outside shooting should quickly find a place in the Turkish rotation.
A coaching change just before her arrival
Despite this strong start to the season, the club recently parted ways with its coach, Ekrem Memnun. Having returned to Galatasaray in the summer of 2024, Memnun will not continue with the team. This transition will not prevent Marine Johannès from joining an ambitious and competitive squad.
An anticipated arrival to bolster ambitions
With her experience in the EuroLeague and WNBA, Marine Johannès immediately adds another dimension to the club’s backcourt. Galatasaray is aiming for a fresh start at the highest level, and the arrival of the French guard fits perfectly into this ambition.
Between her WNBA commitments and her recent experiences in Turkey with Mersin, the Normandy native is pursuing a solid international career. Her creativity, her ability to orchestrate the team’s offense, and her outside shooting will be major assets for her new team.
