Kansas State University’s women’s basketball team has made a significant addition to its 2025-26 roster, signing Belgian forward Nastja Claessens, as announced by head coach Jeff Mittie on July 25, 2025. The 20-year-old international talent, selected 30th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 WNBA Draft, brings a wealth of experience from her time with the Belgian National Team and professional play in Europe. Claessens, who helped Belgium win the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket, opted to pursue collegiate basketball in the U.S. to further her development, choosing K-State over a professional WNBA career. Her signing, celebrated in a team post on X, underscores the Wildcats’ growing appeal for global talent, following a trend of Belgian recruits in the Big 12.
Claessens’ international resume is impressive, with a standout performance at the 2024 FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket, where she averaged 17.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over seven games. Her efficiency was evident at EuroBasket 2025, where she shot 52.9% from the field and 42.9% from three, contributing 5.2 points per game in Belgium’s championship run. Claessens also competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, playing in two games, and has professional experience with Spain’s IDK Euskotren, where she averaged 7.4 points in the 2025 Eurocup, and Belgium’s Castors Braine, where she posted 12.8 points per game in 2024. Her versatility as a forward, combining scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, makes her a dynamic addition to K-State’s frontcourt.
The signing comes as part of Coach Mittie’s roster overhaul, with Claessens joining other 2025-26 additions like Duke transfer Jenessa Cotton and guard Tess Heal. K-State, coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, aims to leverage Claessens’ championship pedigree to elevate their Big 12 standing. Her decision to join the Wildcats, despite interest from European clubs, reflects the program’s growing reputation, as noted by posts on X highlighting the influx of Belgian talent to the conference. Claessens’ experience against top competition, including a career-high 19 points against Proteas in Eurocup play, positions her as a potential game-changer for a team looking to build on last season’s 26-8 record.
As K-State prepares for the 2025-26 season, Claessens’ integration will be key, with Mittie and his staff, including associate head coach Ebony Gilliam, focusing on blending her international flair with the team’s system. Season ticket deposits are already underway, signaling fan excitement for a roster that now boasts Olympic and WNBA-draft caliber talent. Claessens’ choice to pursue a college education while playing at K-State, as highlighted by *KStateSports.com*, reflects her long-term vision, potentially setting her up for a WNBA return post-college. With the Wildcats’ season opener approaching, Claessens’ arrival marks a bold step toward establishing K-State as a destination for elite international prospects.[](https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/7/25/womens-basketball-k-state-wbb-signs-claessens-to-2025-26-roster)[](https://www.si.com/college/kstate/k-state-women-s-basketball-adds-former-wnba-draftee-to-2025-26-roster)
