Morgan Bertsch Bio
Morgan Bertsch, born on April 20, 1997, in Santa Rosa, California, is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. She played college basketball at the University of California, Davis, before being selected by the Dallas Wings with the 29th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 WNBA Draft. Standing 193 cm tall, Bertsch has built a career that spans the WNBA and top leagues across Europe, establishing herself as a versatile forward known for her scoring touch, rebounding, and defensive presence.
Across her professional career, Bertsch has suited up for clubs in Russia, Poland, Belgium, Spain, and the United States. Her journey from a lightly recruited high school athlete to a WNBA draft pick and international professional reflects steady improvement and perseverance. She continues to pursue opportunities at the highest levels of women’s basketball.
Early Life and Background
Morgan Bertsch grew up in Santa Rosa, California, where she attended Santa Rosa High School and became a four-year letterwinner on the basketball team. Her family environment nurtured her athletic interests from a young age, and she developed into a dominant frontcourt prospect during her high school years. Bertsch also competed as an all-state high jumper on the track and field team, showcasing the athletic versatility that would later define her basketball career.
As a junior, Bertsch averaged 13.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, earning first-team All-North Bay League honors. Her senior year was even more impressive, as she posted averages of 17.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game while leading the Panthers to a 28-5 record. She set school single-season records for points (536), rebounds (336), and blocks (139), and was named North Bay League MVP and The Press Democrat All-Empire Player of the Year.
Despite those accolades, Bertsch did not play any AAU basketball, and UC Davis was the only Division I program to offer her a scholarship. That single opportunity would prove to be the launching pad for one of the most decorated careers in Aggies history.
Path to Basketball
Bertsch’s path to the WNBA began at the University of California, Davis, where she redshirted her first year with the basketball team but competed as a high jumper for the Aggies track and field program. She finished in a tie for fourth at the Big West Conference Championship with a leap of 1.71 m during her freshman year, and went on to finish fourth and third in the conference in her sophomore and junior seasons, respectively.
Once she joined the basketball lineup on a full-time basis, Bertsch wasted little time making her mark. She broke the UC Davis Division I program record for points as a freshman, led the team in scoring, and became the sixth Aggie to earn a spot on the Big West All-Freshman Team. She was also named to the All-Big West Second Team that season.
Bertsch’s dominance continued over her final three collegiate seasons, earning First-Team All-Big West honors in 2017, 2018, and 2019. By the end of her senior year, she had become the all-time leading scorer in UC Davis history for men or women with 2,422 points. She was named Big West Player of the Year in 2019, tied a conference single-season record with her sixth Big West Player of the Week award in March of that year, and earned a spot on the Big West All-Defensive Team.
Morgan Bertsch Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
After being selected 29th overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2019 WNBA Draft, Bertsch signed training camp contracts with the Wings or the Connecticut Sun in subsequent seasons but was released before each campaign began. Seeking consistent playing time, she took her game overseas and joined WBC Sparta&K in Russia for the 2019-2020 season, beginning her professional career in international competition.
Her time in Russia provided Bertsch with valuable experience against high-level professional competition and helped her transition from the college game to the professional ranks. Those early overseas stints allowed her to refine her game and prepare for future opportunities in the WNBA.
European Leagues Breakthrough (2020-2023)
Bertsch moved to Poland for the 2020-2021 season, signing with Polski-Cukier AZS-UMCS Lublin, where she continued to develop her professional profile in a top European league. She followed that with a season at Arka Gdynia in 2021-2022, further establishing herself as a reliable scoring forward in Polish basketball.
In 2022, Bertsch joined Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen in Belgium for the 2022-2023 campaign, expanding her international footprint across another competitive European league. Each step in her European journey added experience and helped sharpen the skills that would eventually earn her a sustained opportunity in the WNBA.
Chicago Sky Era (2023-2024)
On April 18, 2023, Bertsch signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky, and her strong play during the preseason earned her a spot on the opening day roster. She made her first career WNBA start in the Sky’s season-opener against the Minnesota Lynx on May 19, 2023, contributing six points, two rebounds, and four assists in a Sky victory. Bertsch suffered an ankle injury during a May game against the Washington Mystics but returned to action later in the season.
On February 6, 2024, Bertsch was traded along with teammate Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Brianna Turner, Michaela Onyenwere, and multiple draft picks. Her tenure in Phoenix lasted twelve games into the 2024 season before she was waived on June 10, 2024. Shortly after, on June 19, 2024, she signed a hardship contract with her original draft team, the Dallas Wings, appearing in three games before being released on June 25, 2024.
Dallas Wings and Return to Chicago (2024-2025)
After her release from the Wings, Bertsch signed with Uni Girona CB in Spain for the 2024-2025 season, continuing her pattern of pursuing high-level competition overseas. She later returned to the WNBA, signing back with the Dallas Wings during the 2025 campaign before being waived.
On March 3, 2025, the Chicago Sky announced that they had signed Bertsch to a training camp contract, signaling a return to the franchise where she had made her WNBA debut. That stint ended on May 11, 2025, when she was waived by the Sky. Bertsch subsequently signed with Hozono Global Jairis, continuing her international career while remaining a free agent in the WNBA.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bertsch’s most significant milestones include becoming the all-time leading scorer in UC Davis history with 2,422 points, a record that spans both men’s and women’s programs. She set school single-season records at Santa Rosa High School for points, rebounds, and blocks, and earned Big West Player of the Year honors in 2019. Her first career WNBA start with the Chicago Sky in May 2023 and her selection in the 2019 WNBA Draft also stand out as signature moments in her career.
Morgan Bertsch Career Achievements
Bertsch’s career achievements span both the collegiate and professional ranks. At UC Davis, she earned three consecutive First-Team All-Big West selections from 2017 to 2019, a Second-Team All-Big West nod in 2016, and Big West Player of the Year honors in her final season. She was also recognized on the Big West All-Freshman Team in 2016 and the Big West All-Defensive Team in 2019.
College Highlights
Bertsch’s college résumé includes a Big West Player of the Year award in 2019, three First-Team All-Big West selections, one Second-Team All-Big West selection, a Big West All-Defensive Team selection, and a Big West All-Freshman Team selection. She finished her UC Davis career as the all-time leading scorer in program history with 2,422 points and set multiple individual records along the way.
Other Achievements
In addition to her basketball accolades, Bertsch earned all-state honors as a high jumper during her time at Santa Rosa High School and competed for the UC Davis track and field team across multiple seasons. She finished in the top four at the Big West Conference Championships in the high jump during each of her first three collegiate years.
Morgan Bertsch Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Morgan Bertsch was raised in Santa Rosa, California, where her family supported her early athletic development in both basketball and track and field. Her upbringing in Northern California helped shape the work ethic and resilience that have carried her through a winding professional career across multiple countries and leagues.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of transitions for Morgan Bertsch. She signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky on March 3, 2025, returning to the franchise where she had previously made her WNBA debut. That opportunity ended on May 11, 2025, when she was waived by the Sky, leaving her once again searching for her next WNBA opportunity.
Internationally, Bertsch signed with Hozono Global Jairis for the 2025 season, continuing her pattern of pursuing top-level competition in Europe when WNBA roster spots are unavailable. Her ability to compete at a high level across multiple leagues and countries underscores her professionalism and enduring passion for the game.
As a free agent, Bertsch remains a veteran forward capable of contributing scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility to any roster in need. Her track record of perseverance through multiple WNBA stints and overseas seasons suggests she will continue pursuing opportunities at the professional level for the foreseeable future.