Cecilia Zandalasini is an Italian professional basketball player known for her scoring ability, versatility, and performances in international competitions. She plays as a forward for the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA and Famila Schio in Italy. Cecilia also represents the Italian women’s national basketball team.
Her career highlights include winning a WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx and helping Italy earn bronze at the 2025 Women’s EuroBasket. In 2026, she continued competing in the WNBA and representing Italy in international basketball.
| Net Worth: | $500K |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Cecilia Zandalasini |
| Birth Date: | March 16, 1996 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 30 Years |
| Birth Place: | Broni, Italy |
| Height: | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Parents: | Paola Lombardi, Roberto Zandalasini |
| Girlfriend/Partner: | Sara Barbieri |
Early Life
Cecilia Zandalasini was born on 16th March, 1996, in Broni, Italy. As of October 2026, she is 30 years old. Standing approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, she developed her basketball skills from an early age. Cecilia has said she first held a basketball at around three years old. She grew up watching basketball and admired Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. His playing style influenced her approach to the sport and strengthened her determination to compete professionally.
She developed her skills through Geas Basket Sesto San Giovanni, where she won six Italian youth-level club championships. Her early success helped establish her as one of Italy’s promising young basketball players. These experiences prepared her for national youth competitions and a professional career in European basketball.
Family
Cecilia Zandalasini is the daughter of Roberto Zandalasini and Paola Lombardi. Her brother, Andrea, has also played basketball professionally. Her family supported her development as she progressed from youth competitions to senior international basketball.
Although Cecilia spends significant time playing overseas, she maintains close connections with her family in Italy. She has spoken about the importance of having supportive people around her, especially when competing far from home.
Career
Cecilia Zandalasini began gaining international attention through Italian club basketball and youth national teams. In 2016, she helped Italy win silver at the FIBA Under-20 European Championship and received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. Her outstanding scoring performances established her as a rising talent in European women’s basketball. A year later, Cecilia delivered an impressive performance at the 2017 Women’s EuroBasket. She averaged 19 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, earning selection to the tournament’s All-Star Five.
Her performances attracted attention from the WNBA. In August 2017, she joined the Minnesota Lynx, becoming one of the Italian players to reach the league. Although she played only a limited number of regular-season games, she remained with Minnesota during its championship run. She earned a WNBA championship title when the Lynx won the 2017 Finals.
Cecilia continued her professional career in Europe with clubs including Famila Schio, Fenerbahçe, Virtus Bologna, and Galatasaray. These experiences strengthened her reputation as a versatile forward capable of contributing through scoring, rebounding, and playmaking.
Her international career also continued to grow. Italy won bronze at the 2025 Women’s EuroBasket, with Cecilia averaging 16.8 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game. She played a major role in the team’s successful campaign.
In December 2024, the Golden State Valkyries selected Cecilia in the WNBA expansion draft. She returned to the league in 2025 and recorded a career-best average of 10.5 points per game across 19 appearances. Golden State re-signed her to a one-year contract in April 2026.
During the 2026 WNBA season, Cecilia Zandalasini remained part of the Valkyries’ rotation. She also represented Italy at the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Italy returned to the tournament after a 32-year absence, and Cecilia averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across four games.
Personal Life
Cecilia Zandalasini generally keeps her personal life private while occasionally discussing her relationships in interviews. In an August 2026 interview, she spoke openly about her girlfriend, Sara, a dentist from Bologna. Cecilia explained that maintaining their relationship while playing in the United States requires understanding and support.
She has also shared her love of photography, painting, drawing, and art. When discussing her ideal vacation, Cecilia described a preference for the beach, sunshine, reading, and relaxation. Her interests provide a creative contrast to the demanding schedule of professional basketball.
Social Media
Cecilia Zandalasini maintains a public Instagram presence under the handle @ceciznd. She uses the platform to share basketball photographs, national team appearances, training moments, and glimpses of life outside the court. Her exact follower count has not been independently verified for October 2026. Her professional updates also appear through the Golden State Valkyries and Italian basketball organizations.
Cecilia Zandalasini Net Worth, Salary & Contract
Cecilia Zandalasini’s total net worth has not been reliably established by public financial sources. Her principal income comes from professional basketball contracts with the WNBA and European clubs. She may also receive income from sponsorships or commercial partnerships, although detailed figures are not publicly available.
Cecilia Zandalasini signed a one-year contract with the Golden State Valkyries for the 2026 WNBA season, announced on April 12, 2026. Her reported salary is $500,000, according to WNBA salary data compiled by Her Hoop Stats. The contract is reportedly not guaranteed, meaning the salary may depend on the terms and conditions of the agreement. Cecilia previously signed a one-year contract worth approximately $78,831 with the Valkyries for the 2025 season. Her 2026 deal reflects her value as a versatile forward after she averaged a career-high 10.5 points per game in 2025.
Endorsements
Cecilia Zandalasini has a documented endorsement history with Adidas and Nike. In 2017, she reportedly signed a three-year partnership with Adidas, becoming the first Italian basketball player to serve as a brand ambassador. Later, in June 2024, Cecilia collaborated with Nike on a project called Behind the Athlete, which highlighted her basketball journey and personal experiences. She has also regularly worn Nike basketball shoes during WNBA games. However, her current endorsement contracts, sponsorship fees, and total earnings from brand partnerships have not been publicly disclosed.
