Maria Stepanova is a Russian former professional basketball player who played in the WNBA for the Phoenix Mercury. She also played basketball at the Olympics, representing Russia. She was drafted 8th overall in the 1998 WNBA Draft.
A native of Stavropol, Russia, Maria Stepanova, was born on February 23, 1979, under the star sign of Pisces. She stands 6 ft 8 in tall and has a weight of 85 kg. She was drafted in the round one in the 8th pick by the Phoenix Mercury at the 1998 WNBA draft.
Basketball players' yearly earnings range between $20,000 and tens of millions of dollars per year, depending on a number of factors. Maria signed a contract with the Phoenix Mercury in 1998 for thousands of dollars(not disclosed), including a base salary of thousands of dollars. She played for four seasons in the WNBA for the Phoenix Mercury and earned a huge amount for playing.
Besides salary, other perks for being a professional player are many. A professional basketball player also makes money from their endorsement deals, sponsorships, promotions, and businesses. Likewise, she might even have earned money from such contracts. However, her net worth is still under evaluation.
Maria Stepanova is already a married player. She got married to Denis Zubov in 2003. The couple dated each other for a couple of years and engaged in 2002.
Her husband Denis is a former water polo player. Her husband's height is 6 ft 3 in and is shorter than Maria's. Together they have five sons. Her elder son plays football, and other sons are still young.
Maria with her family SOURCE: Instagram @stepanovama The tall giant Maria Stepanova is cherishing her life with her sons and husband. She is seen posting photos of her family on her Instagram page. Maria's elder son Nicolas, who was born before their marriage in January 2003, has the same height as her.
Maria Alexandrovna Stepanova was born on February 23, 1979, in the village of Shpakovskoye and grew up in Tosno, Leningrad Oblast, Russia.
At the height of 2.1 m, she was the fourth-tallest player in the league along with Katie Feenstra, Zheng Haixia, and Lindsay Taylor. But players such as Zheng Haixia, at 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m), Heidi Gillingham at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), and Allyssa DeHaan at 6 ft 9 inches (2.06m) are taller than her. She wears a size 15 (US) / 48 (EU) shoe. In the Russian national team, she is overtaken by Ekaterina Lisina in being the tallest member of the team.
In the 1998 draft, Stepanova was chosen 8th in round 1 by the Phoenix Mercury. Stepanova played for the Phoenix Mercury during 1998-2001, 2005. Some of the highlights of Maria Stepanova’s career include 3× FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year, and 3× Russian Gold Basket awards.
Maria dunks the ball during a match SOURCE: Instagram @stepanovama Stepanova won a bronze medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics in the basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics event. Stepanova won a bronze medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in the basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – women event.
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