What Is Kyara Linskens’ Ethnicity, Religion & Nationality? Exploring Her Family Roots & Background

She stood tall, arms raised, tears in her eyes. The scoreboard read Belgium 64, Spain 58 — and for the first time in history, Belgium was crowned champion of Europe. At the center of it all was Kyara Linskens. The 6’4″ Belgian center wasn’t just clutch—she was historic. Her Finals MVP performance in EuroBasket 2023 was a full-circle moment for a girl who once said, “Ik sliep met een basketbal.” Translation? “I slept with a basketball.”

And as the FIBA post celebrating Belgium’s gold went viral, Linskens reposted it with pride. Not long after, she made headlines again—this time signing with the Golden State Valkyries for the 2025 WNBA season. A big move, but for Linskens, the journey started long before America noticed.

Where is Kyara Linskens from? What’s her nationality?

Born on November 13, 1996, in Bruges, Belgium, Kyara Linskens is Belgian through and through. She began playing professional basketball in her home country at just 15 years old with Basket Hema SKW. She never went the U.S. college route, instead rising through Europe’s top leagues—Poland, France, Italy, Russia—and solidifying her spot on the Belgian national team.

Paris 2024 Olympics – Basketball – Women’s Quarterfinal – Spain vs Belgium – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 07, 2024. Megan Gustafson of Spain in action against Kyara Linskens of Belgium at the start of the match REUTERS/Brian Snyder

She’s represented Belgium in every major EuroBasket since 2017, collecting bronze in 2017 and 2021. But it was 2023 that changed everything. Against Spain, she racked up 18 points, 15 rebounds, and shot 100% from the line—nine of her points came from free throws alone. Belgium won gold, and Linskens, MVP.

What is Kyara Linskens’ ethnicity and religion?

Linskens is of Belgian descent, and while she’s shared many personal stories about her basketball upbringing, she’s kept her religious beliefs private. There’s no public record of her identifying with a specific faith, and she hasn’t commented on religion in interviews. Her identity, at least publicly, is shaped far more by her sporting journey than by faith or ethnicity labels.

Which college did Kyara Linskens attend?

She didn’t. Kyara Linskens skipped the U.S. college route entirely and went pro in Europe as a teenager. At just 15, she was already suiting up in Belgium’s professional leagues, kicking off a career that would take her across Europe—from BC Castors Braine and BC Namur-Capitale to Russia’s Dynamo Kursk.

And now? She’s in the WNBA, wearing a Valkyries jersey and adjusting to a brand-new system. “Um, I’m getting more comfortable,” Linskens said after a preseason game against the Mercury. “How we’re playing is totally different than what I’m used to, but I think in the game it went well… we got some good looks, so I’m happy about that.” She finished that game with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks—quiet stats, but big signs of her settling in.

Raised in Bruges and now balling in San Francisco, Linskens doesn’t have an NCAA highlight reel or March Madness stories. What she does have is grit, gold from EuroBasket, and a Finals MVP to her name.

And if you asked her how it all started, she’d probably smile and say something simple. Like how she used to sleep with a basketball.

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