Minnesota Lynx Finalize 2012 Roster
Three Olympians (Augustus, Moore, Whalen) highlight the Lynx final roster
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has waived guard Queralt Casas and forward Julie Wojta. The moves finalized the teams roster for Sundays Home Opener, presented by General Mills, on May 20 vs. Phoenix at 11:30 a.m. The team returns nine players from the championship winning roster in 2011.
Highlighting the teams 11-player roster are three Olympians guard/forward Seimone Augustus, forward Maya Moore and guard Lindsay Whalen. The final Lynx roster also includes 2011 WNBA All-Star Rebekkah Brunson, who set a franchise record by pulling in 205 defensive rebounds last year, as well as Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who enters the season with the second most career rebounds in WNBA history (2,836).
Also returning from last years team is guard Candice Wiggins, guard/forward Monica Wright, forward Amber Harris and center Jessica Adair. Wiggins acted as a sparkplug for the Lynx off the bench last season, shooting a career-best 39.5 percent from three-point range in 17.1 minutes per game. Wright returns after averaging 5.1 points in 13.6 minutes, while Harris and Adair developed into a formidable frontcourt duo during the stretch run last season.
The two new faces on this years Lynx squad are forward Devereaux Peters, the third overall pick in this years WNBA draft, and veteran guard Erin Thorn. Peters joins the Lynx after finishing her collegiate career as one of just four Division-I players in the last decade to record 60 blocks, 60 steals and 60 assists in two separate seasons. Thorn, a nine-year veteran, joins the Lynx after spending the last three years with the Chicago Sky. Shes a career 37.3 percent shooter from behind the arc, including shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range during her time in Chicago.
Minnesotas coaching staff returns for its third consecutive season together. Cheryl Reeve, the 2011 WNBA Coach of the Year, is joined behind the bench by assistants Shelley Patterson, entering her third year with the Lynx, and Jim Petersen, entering his fourth year with the team.
The 2011 WNBA Champion Lynx will kick off their title defense with the team's Home Opener, presented by General Mills, on Sunday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Target Center against the Phoenix Mercury on ABC. Prior to the game, the entire 2011 WNBA Championship winning roster will be presented with their championship rings, in addition to the unveiling of the 2011 WNBA Championship. Fans are encouraged to arrive as early as 10:45 a.m. for a chance to be a part of Minnesota sports history. Lower-level tickets for the game are still available for as little as $10 and can be purchased by calling 612-673-8400 or visiting the Lynx website at www.lynxbasketball.com.
2012 MINNESOTA LYNX ROSTER
No | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Birthdate | College/Year | Yrs |
1 | Jessica Adair | C | 6-4 | 197 | 12/19/86 | George Washington '09 | 2 |
33 | Seimone Augustus | G | 6-0 | 165 | 04/30/84 | Louisiana State '06 | 6 |
32 | Rebekkah Brunson | F | 6-2 | 184 | 12/11/81 | Georgetown '04 | 8 |
6 | Amber Harris | F | 6-5 | 202 | 01/16/88 | Xavier '11 | 1 |
8 | Taj McWilliams-Franklin | F/C | 6-2 | 195 | 10/20/70 | St. Edward's '93 | 13 |
23 | Maya Moore | F | 6-0 | 175 | 06/11/89 | Connecticut '11 | 1 |
14 | Devereaux Peters | F | 6-2 | 170 | 10/08/89 | Notre Dame 12 | R |
5 | Erin Thorn | G | 5-10 | 145 | 05/19/81 | Brigham Young 03 | 9 |
13 | Lindsay Whalen | G | 5-9 | 160 | 05/09/82 | Minnesota '04 | 8 |
11 | Candice Wiggins | G | 5-11 | 147 | 02/14/87 | Stanford '08 | 4 |
22 | Monica Wright | G/F | 5-10 | 171 | 07/15/88 | Virginia '10 | 2 |
Head Coach: Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)
Assistant Coaches: Jim Petersen (Minnesota), Shelley Patterson (Washington State)
Athletic Trainers: Chuck Barta (Wisconsin-La Crosse), Keith Uzpen (Minnesota State, Mankato)
NUMERICAL ROSTER
No Player No Player No Player
1 Jessica Adair 11 Candice Wiggins 23 Maya Moore
5 Erin Thorn 13 Lindsay Whalen 32 Rebekkah Brunson
6 Amber Harris 14 Devereaux Peters 33 Seimone Augustus
8 Taj McWilliams-Franklin 22 Monica Wright
Contact information:
Alex King, Minnesota Lynx, (612) 673-1632, king@lynxbasketball.com
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