Maria Kliundikova, even in her first season with the Minnesota Lynx, has been leaving a memorable mark. “Man, if you would have heard us in the locker room. We know what she can do out there,” said Courtney Williams recently in praise of the Russian basketball player. Despite being the lead scorers in Game 1, Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, and Napheesa Collier reportedly gave credit to Kliundikova for giving the Lynx the edge.

Despite playing for only 8 minutes, Kliundikova had an efficiency rating of +14 as she recorded 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. Game 1 would have given WNBA fans of who this Russian star is. However, to know more about her family background, read on to find out.

Who are Maria Kliundikova’s parents?

Maria Kliundikova was born in July 1998 in Moscow, Russia, to Olga Vadeeva and Aleksey Vadeyev. Growing up, she was surrounded by basketball, as both of her parents had deep ties to the sport.

Though not much is covered on her father, if reports are to be believed, Aleksey Vadeyev, a Russian player, is her father. Over the course of his career, which stretched from 1987 to 2004. Born in 1971, he suited up for several Russian clubs and enjoyed considerable success with CSKA Moscow. With the powerhouse side, he collected five championships in consecutive seasons from 1993 through 1997, a run that cemented his status in Russian basketball circles.

When his playing days came to an end, Aleksey quickly made a coaching move. His knowledge of the game earned him opportunities with the national program, where he took charge of Russia’s U16 team in 2006 and the U18 squad in 2008. These experiences added another layer to his long-standing involvement with the sport.

Maria’s mother, Olga Vadeeva, also had a background in the court. While her career is less documented, records show that she competed in the 1995 and 1996 editions of the European Cup for Women’s Champion Clubs, as well as the 1997 Ronchetti Cup. Her contributions reflected the family’s deep-rooted connection to basketball, one that would naturally influence Maria’s own path.

What ethnicity are Maria Kliundikova’s parents?

Aleksey Vadeyev’s official profile on CSKA Moscow lists his nationality as Russian. So does Olga Vadeeva’s official profile on FIBA. However, while Maria Kliundikova’s ethnicity is listed as “Slavic-Russian through her parents”, the same does not go into depth about the parents’ individual ethnicities.

Maria Kliundikova’s relationship with her parents

Maria Kliundikova discussed her parents during an interview back in late February 2025. During the same time, she revealed that “My mom was my first coach. So she always taught me, first of all, defend, rebound, and run. So, that was her motto.” The two former players also stood by her daughter, as Maria revealed that “they support me and I’m very happy that they support me. It’s very important for me that they’re supporting my decision as a family”.

Maria Kliundikova is just a few steps away from gaining her first WNBA championship. That will allow her to possess an accolade that neither of her parent came close to possessing. Whether she can do so is something that remains to be seen.