Tag: Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier opens up about finding new purpose in her motherhood

WNBA star Napheesa Collier’s pregnancy changed her game, redefining the definition of a parent athlete.

Napheesa Collier is widely respected in WNBA circles for her tenacity, strength and otherworldly prowess on the basketball court. Collier is a competitor who will do whatever it takes to help the Minnesota Lynx succeed, but it’s not just her love for the game that propels her. It’s now deeper than that.

Collier is a mom who proudly gushed over her little girl, Mila.

“I see her learning something new, and to have her in my life, I feel like it gives me purpose,” she told For The Win in a recent interview while promoting her partnership with U.S. Bank, the WNBA’s official bank partner. Collier is on a mission to make financial education resources readily available for the league’s athletes, and it’s particularly important to her as she builds an off-the-court legacy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwTA0eNR8VI/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

“Learning about what to do with your finances and how to create generational wealth, even just the basics, is important. I feel like [U.S. Bank] is a changemaker for a reason because they’re not just giving us money and saying, ‘We’re partnering with the [WNBA].’ They’re trying to help us and make a change.”

Collier gave birth to Mila in 2021 and amazingly returned to the court in 2022 to help with the Lynx’s playoff push. However, it’s the 2023 season that makes her genuinely phenomenal. Not only was Collier arguably better on the court, but her accolades proved it. She was a WNBA All-Star and earned WNBA All-First Team and WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors.  

That kind of growth doesn’t just happen. Yet, for Collier, it made perfect sense in a season of her life that perhaps challenged her in ways she hadn’t been before.

“I think what I learned about myself is that this is the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s so rewarding,” she said. “It’s the most amazing job in the world. I feel like I have a purpose in my family and my daughter. I feel like a different person than I was before I had her.”

Perhaps the most underrated part of Collier’s journey is that she doesn’t usually stop to give herself props for what she does. However, she says that little “Phee” would be so proud of all the things that this version of Napheesa has accomplished.  

From a difficult birth to a tough rehab, Collier pushed herself to make it happen. Help from friends and family — like WNBA veteran Candace Parker and her support system in Minnesota — got her to where she is now, getting the flowers she rightfully deserves.

With her recent recognition on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, Collier is quickly skyrocketing to a status that makes her synonymous with greatness. Her story is still being written, but adding a chapter like “Face of the WNBA” to her life’s book is just the beginning of what she wants for herself.  

“There are a lot of things I still want to accomplish in my career — winning a championship is one of them,” she said. “I also want to be MVP.”

Minnesota Lynx's Napheesa Collier (24) reacts to a basket during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena
(Sarah Gordon/AP Photos)

With her impressive drive, and while fully clad in the comfiest lifestyle fashion Nike has to offer, it’s hard to imagine that Napheesa Collier won’t do everything she can to get there.  

WNBA players set to participate in FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League

Nia Clouden recently signed with Rwanda Energy Group to participate in the FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League.

Los Angeles Sparks guard Nia Clouden recently signed with Rwanda Energy Group women’s basketball team to participate in the FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League (AWBL). 

Clouden was selected No. 12 overall in the 2022 WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun. She played college basketball at Michigan State and was claimed off waivers to join the Sparks for the 2023 season.

Point guard Tiffany Mitchell of the Minnesota Lynx also recently signed with REG. Mitchell was drafted ninth overall in the 2016 WNBA draft out of the University of South Carolina. Mitchell recently had her jersey retired at South Carolina and was the first jersey retired under head coach Dawn Staley.

Rwanda is currently ranked 74th after the FIBA Women’s Continental Championships, but they are steadily moving up the rankings. With the addition of Mitchell and Clouden, the Rwandan team is looking to make a splash at the tournament and vying for a medal.

The tournament will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from Dec. 11-19.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262608]

Everything you should know about the WNBA’s expansion team

It’s provocative. It gets the people going!

Hoopers, assemble! The WNBA announced plans for an expansion team Thursday, and the news makes me want to relive my glory days as an only-in-my-driveway 3-point specialist.

It seems the WNBA has been listening to everyone begging for expansion because it’s partnering with the Golden State Warriors to add an expansion team to the league. The Warriors are the sixth NBA franchise to have a WNBA team, joining others who have made the jump, such as the Brooklyn Nets (New York Liberty,) Washington Wizards (Washington Mystics) and Minnesota Timberwolves (Minnesota Lynx).

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled about expanding to the Bay Area and bringing the WNBA to a region with passionate basketball fans and a strong history of supporting women’s basketball,” via the league’s official site.

Here’s everything we know about the expansion team so far.

This story will be updated.

McBride, Miller lead Lynx to win over second-place Liberty

Lynx players Kayla McBride and Diamond Miller contributed 26 points and 22 points, respectively.

The Minnesota Lynx sit in the middle of the pack this WNBA season, but on Friday, they defeated the New York Liberty, who sit in second place in the standings. Lynx players Kayla McBride and Diamond Miller contributed 26 points and 22 points, respectively, in the 88-83 win over the Liberty.

This was one of the many WNBA games rescheduled due to the Canadian wildfires earlier this season that covered New York and the Northeast in smoke. The Liberty’s game against the Lynx was their fourth game in six days.

The Lynx win came without Napheesa Collier (ankle), who is averaging 21.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. However, rookie Dorka Juhász scored 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lynx.

Even though New York’s Sabrina Ionescu had 31 points and fellow teammate Breanna Stewart had 23 points, the effort just wasn’t enough to overcome the momentum of the Lynx.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=650261897]

A passionate Lynx fan drowned out the broadcast crew during the final moments of a close win

“Take them down, finish it!!!”

Thanks to dynamite performances from Diamond Miller and Napheesa Collier, the Minnesota Lynx didn’t need much help securing a 97-92 win over the Washington Mystics Wednesday night.

They seemingly got it anyway, in the form of a fan near the courtside. As the Lynx prepared to close Washington out, the NBATV broadcast panned to this fan and his very evident passion. While the crew was trying to analyze the final few moments and set the stage, his loud energy simply drowned the broadcast out. It was to the point where you could barely hear the announcing team.

I know the camera panned over to him for that passion specifically, but that can’t have been what the broadcast planned for at such a critical moment.

Honestly? That’s what it’s all about. A fan getting invested in a close game is why we watch sports in the first place. So be it if it rubs against the analysis for a moment or two.

WNBA Twitter reacts to Sylvia Fowles’ No. 34 jersey retirement

Fowles averaged 15.7 points and a WNBA-record 9.8 rebounds per game in a 15-year career with Chicago and Minnesota.

Sunday was the jersey retirement of Sylvia Fowles, who was part of the Minnesota Lynx’s championship teams in 2015 and 2017. Fowles averaged 15.7 points and a WNBA-record 9.8 rebounds per game in a 15-year career with Chicago and Minnesota. In 2021, she was named one of the top 25 WNBA players of all time. Her last eight seasons were spent with the Lynx.

Fowles retired from basketball in 2022, but her legacy in the sport continues to grow. In a tribute video about her jersey retirement, she was described as a sassy player who was sweet as pie.

Fowles was one of the most dominant post players to ever play in the WNBA. A few of her accolades include:

  • WNBA champion (2015, 2017)
  • WNBA Finals MVP (2015, 2017)
  • WNBA Most Valuable Player (2017)
  • WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021)
  • All-WNBA first team (2010, 2013, 2017)
  • All-WNBA second team (2011, 2012, 2016, 2021)
  • WNBA All-Defensive first team (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021)
  • WNBA All-Defensive second team (2008, 2014)
  • WNBA All-Rookie team (2008)
  • WNBA All-Star Game (2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
  • WNBA’s career leader in rebounds (3,712) and FG% (59.7)
  • Set WNBA single-season records for rebounds (404), defensive rebounds (282) and rebounds per game (11.9) in 2018
  • Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021)
  • FIBA World Championship gold medalist (2010)

Here’s what social media had to say about Fowles’ jersey retirement.

Rebekkah Brunson jokingly used her speech honoring Sylvia Fowles to settle a petty rebounds gripe

What perfect comedic timing to settle this “feud”!

Sunday was a momentous and emotional occasion in the history of the Minnesota Lynx.

After retiring in 2022, legendary center Sylvia Fowles was in attendance in Minnesota to see her No. 34 jersey retired and hung up in the rafters. And as the Lynx held a ceremony at midcourt to honor Fowles — the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder — they had a rather unique person say a few honorary words about Fowles:

Fowles’ former teammate and fellow great, Rebekkah Brunson, who is now, ironically, an assistant coach with the Lynx. Before diving into any appreciative words about her friend, Brunson took a friendly and joking jab at Fowles over some statistical … “oversights.”

Per Brunson’s account — who has the fourth-most rebounds in WNBA history — Fowles “stole a lot of rebounds” from her.

Amazing. Now that’s what we call comedic timing and a way to settle a “gripe” in front of so many people with a beloved friend.

Notre Dame players in WNBA for 2023 season

Who are the former Irish to watch this season?

The 2023 WNBA season is upon us at an all-time high in popularity for women’s basketball. More opportunities are opening up for female hoopsters at all levels, and everyone is better for it. After the thrilling college season we just had, it’s time for the professionals to show what they can do. Particular attention should be given to these players since they paved the way for the sport to reach these unprecedented levels of attention.

Notre Dame has been one of the best women’s programs for some time now. Their two national championships since the turn of the century are evidence of that, but you can see it in the WNBA, too. Ten former Irish are suiting up in the league this season, which gives Notre Dame the second-most players of any program. If you need a refresher as to who to follow over the next few months, here they are:

Top 10 Notre Dame women’s basketball players according to ChatGPT

Does the bot know women’s basketball?

I asked AI information bot ChatGPT to list what it believes are Notre Dame’s top 10 men’s basketball players. It only makes sense for me to give the women equal treatment. Plus the women have both a better recent past and future than the men. You know people want to know who’s made the program so special.

Please note that ChatGPT’s knowledge cuts off at September 2021, so you won’t find [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag] on this list. Heck, she probably wouldn’t have made it anyway since she just completed her sophomore season. She still has a legacy to complete.

Here is ChatGPT’s disclaimer regarding the list:

“As a language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs, and my responses are generated based on data and information available to me. However, I can provide you with a list of some of the most notable Notre Dame women’s basketball players, based on their achievements, accolades, and impact on the program.”

It also says this:

“Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is subject to personal opinions and interpretations. There have been many talented and accomplished players in Notre Dame women’s basketball history, and different people may have different criteria for their top 10 selections.”

With that out of the way, let’s see who the information bot has deemed worthy of making this list and what it had to say about each player:

Former MSU women’s basketball player, assistant Kristin Haynie joining Minnesota Lynx staff

Former MSU women’s basketball player, assistant Kristin Haynie joining Minnesota Lynx staff

Following the recent departure of Suzy Merchant from the program, Michigan State women’s basketball will lose another coach from the bench, as Kristin Haynie, a former star with the Spartans in her own right, will leave her role as assistant coach to join the Minnesota Lynx as an assistant coach.

“As a former player in the WNBA, Kristin brings a wealth of expertise and a reputation that precedes her,” Lynx coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve said in a released statement. “Kristin’s devotion to the game and its players will no doubt be a great asset to our coaching staff and franchise.”

Haynie spent the last four seasons with the Spartans, and is a legend of the program for her efforts in bringing MSU to a national runner-up finish in 2005. After that, Haynie was drafted No. 9 in the WNBA draft and spent four seasons in the WNBA.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]