A familiar face is returning home to the basketball courts. Maria Kostourkova, a respected player for the Portuguese national team, is set to join Sporting. The club officially announced the news on Friday. This marks a big moment for Kostourkova, as it’s her first time playing in the country in ten years. She last played for Quinta dos Lombos before heading overseas for university basketball in the United States.
Kostourkova, a towering 1.94-meter post player, has had quite a journey since leaving. At 28 years old, she spent her college years competing for the Washington State Cougars. In 2019, her career brought her back across the Atlantic. She played for various clubs in different countries. Her stops included Celje in Slovenia, followed by a run of Spanish teams: Tenerife, Basket Zaragoza, and Sedis Bàsquet. She even played for the Saarlouis Royals in Germany. Most recently, she competed for Zaglebie Sosnowiec during the 2024/25 season.
Landing a player of Kostourkova’s caliber is a significant boost for Sporting. Her experience with the national team makes her a standout addition. The “Green and Whites,” as Sporting is known, are making their return to the top-tier league this season. This makes her signing even more important. Kostourkova shared her excitement about joining her new team.
“Sporting has been building a really cool project,” Kostourkova said in a statement released by the club. “What they’ve done in recent years shows their commitment. I’m truly happy to become part of this family and this team.” She knows there’s work ahead for the squad. While she believes the team is “excellent,” she also sees a need for “adjustments.” She stressed the importance of having “a strong and united group” to succeed.