Minnesota lynx draft – The Minnesota Lynx have a rich history of drafting talented players who have contributed to the team’s success. From the early days of the franchise to the present, the Lynx have consistently made smart draft picks that have helped them build a championship-caliber team.
In this article, we will take a look at the Minnesota Lynx draft history, identify the most impactful draft picks, analyze recent draft trends, and evaluate potential future draft prospects.
Minnesota Lynx Draft History
The Minnesota Lynx have a rich history in the WNBA Draft, having selected some of the most talented players in the league’s history. Since joining the WNBA in 1999, the Lynx have made 35 draft picks, including 10 first-round selections.
The Lynx have had several notable draft picks over the years, including Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, and Sylvia Fowles. Moore was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft and went on to become one of the most decorated players in league history.
Augustus was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and is a four-time Olympic gold medalist. Fowles was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and is a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
The Lynx have also had some success drafting international players. Rebekkah Brunson was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft and went on to become a three-time WNBA champion with the Lynx. Tanisha Wright was the No.
18 overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft and went on to become a two-time WNBA champion with the Lynx.
Draft Picks
| Year | Pick | Player | Pos | College/Previous Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 10 | Katie Smith | G | Ohio State |
| 2000 | 14 | Svetlana Abrosimova | C | Russia |
| 2001 | 16 | Tamika Williams | G | Connecticut |
| 2002 | 18 | Deanna Nolan | G | Georgia |
| 2003 | 10 | Lindsay Whalen | G | Minnesota |
| 2004 | 16 | Rebekkah Brunson | C | Georgetown |
| 2005 | 18 | Tanisha Wright | G | Penn State |
| 2006 | 2 | Seimone Augustus | G | LSU |
| 2007 | 23 | Charde Houston | G | Connecticut |
| 2008 | 2 | Sylvia Fowles | C | LSU |
| 2009 | 11 | Candice Wiggins | G | Stanford |
| 2010 | 14 | Monica Wright | G | Virginia |
| 2011 | 1 | Maya Moore | F | Connecticut |
| 2012 | 13 | Danielle Robinson | G | Oklahoma |
| 2013 | 15 | Sugar Rodgers | G | Georgetown |
| 2014 | 12 | Alexis Jones | G | Baylor |
| 2015 | 13 | Rachel Banham | G | Minnesota |
| 2016 | 15 | Jessica Breland | F | North Carolina |
| 2017 | 14 | Temi Fagbenle | F | Southern California |
| 2018 | 11 | Lexie Brown | G | Duke |
| 2019 | 13 | Napheesa Collier | F | Connecticut |
| 2020 | 14 | Mikiah Herbert Harrigan | F | South Carolina |
| 2021 | 15 | Aaliyah Boston | C | South Carolina |
| 2022 | 13 | Olivia Nelson-Ododa | F | Connecticut |
Notable Minnesota Lynx Draft Picks
The Minnesota Lynx have a rich history of drafting talented players who have contributed to the team’s success. Some of the most impactful draft picks in franchise history include:
Maya Moore
Maya Moore was drafted by the Lynx with the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft. She quickly became one of the most dominant players in the league, winning four WNBA championships with the Lynx (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and being named WNBA Finals MVP four times.
Moore also won the WNBA MVP award twice (2014, 2017) and was named to the All-WNBA First Team six times. She retired from the WNBA in 2019 to focus on social justice activism.
Seimone Augustus
Seimone Augustus was drafted by the Lynx with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. She spent her entire 14-year WNBA career with the Lynx, winning four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and being named WNBA Finals MVP twice (2011, 2015). Augustus was also named to the All-WNBA First Team six times and the All-WNBA Second Team four times.
She retired from the WNBA in 2020 as the Lynx’s all-time leading scorer.
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen was drafted by the Lynx with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She spent 13 seasons with the Lynx, winning four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and being named WNBA Finals MVP in 2011. Whalen was also named to the All-WNBA First Team four times and the All-WNBA Second Team twice.
She retired from the WNBA in 2018 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
Rebekkah Brunson
Rebekkah Brunson was drafted by the Lynx with the 16th overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She spent 13 seasons with the Lynx, winning four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and being named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. Brunson was also named to the All-WNBA Defensive First Team seven times and the All-WNBA Defensive Second Team twice.
She retired from the WNBA in 2018.
Sylvia Fowles
Sylvia Fowles was acquired by the Lynx in a trade with the Chicago Sky in 2015. She has won two WNBA championships with the Lynx (2015, 2017) and was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2015. Fowles has also been named to the All-WNBA First Team four times and the All-WNBA Second Team twice.
She is considered one of the greatest centers in WNBA history.
Recent Minnesota Lynx Draft Trends
In recent years, the Minnesota Lynx have exhibited a strategic approach to their draft selections, prioritizing players who complement their current roster and align with their long-term vision.
One notable trend is the team’s focus on athleticism and defensive prowess. In the 2022 draft, they selected center Sylvia Fowles with the second overall pick, adding a dominant post presence and a defensive anchor to their lineup.
International Prospects
The Lynx have also shown a willingness to invest in international prospects. In the 2021 draft, they selected French guard Marine Johannes with the 11th overall pick. Johannes has quickly emerged as a key contributor, providing versatility and a strong outside shooting presence.
Future Minnesota Lynx Draft Prospects
The Minnesota Lynx have a bright future ahead of them, with a young and talented roster that is ready to compete for championships. The Lynx have a number of promising prospects in their system, and they will be looking to add to their talent pool in the upcoming WNBA draft.One
of the most important things for the Lynx to consider when drafting is their need for a point guard. The Lynx have a number of talented players who can play the point, but they don’t have a true floor general who can run the offense and set up their teammates.
A point guard who can do that would be a huge addition to the Lynx, and they will be looking to find one in the draft.Another area where the Lynx could use some help is in the frontcourt. The Lynx have a number of talented players who can play in the post, but they don’t have a true star who can dominate the paint.
A player who can do that would be a huge addition to the Lynx, and they will be looking to find one in the draft.The Lynx have a number of promising prospects in their system, and they will be looking to add to their talent pool in the upcoming WNBA draft.
With a number of needs to fill, the Lynx will be looking to make some smart picks and add some talented players to their roster.
Potential Draft Prospects, Minnesota lynx draft
There are a number of potential draft prospects who could be good fits for the Minnesota Lynx. Some of the most notable include:
- Aaliyah Boston, a 6’5″ center from South Carolina, is one of the most talented players in the country. She is a dominant force in the paint, and she has the potential to be a star in the WNBA.
- Cameron Brink, a 6’4″ center from Stanford, is another talented player who could be a good fit for the Lynx. She is a versatile player who can score inside and out, and she is also a good rebounder and defender.
- Rickea Jackson, a 6’2″ forward from Mississippi State, is a dynamic player who can score in a variety of ways. She is a good shooter, and she is also a good rebounder and defender.
- DJ Jones, a 6’1″ guard from Texas, is a talented point guard who can run an offense and set up her teammates. She is also a good defender, and she has the potential to be a star in the WNBA.
- Charli Collier, a 6’5″ center from Texas, is a skilled post player who can score and rebound. She is also a good passer, and she has the potential to be a star in the WNBA.
These are just a few of the potential draft prospects who could be good fits for the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx will have a number of options to choose from in the draft, and they will be looking to make some smart picks and add some talented players to their roster.
Final Summary
The Minnesota Lynx have a bright future ahead of them. With a strong core of players and a talented group of young prospects, the Lynx are poised to continue their success for years to come.
