February 1, 2006

Team Adds Former Phoenix All-Star
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today announced that they have agreed to terms with free-agent forward Adrian Williams. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Williams, a five-year veteran of the WNBA, compiled her best season in the league during the 2003 campaign, when she averaged 9.8 points, (.402 FG%, .612 FT%) 7.4 rebounds and 29.0 minutes in 34 games (33 starts) for the Mercury, earning a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team. She posted career highs of 20 points (6/28/03 at Detroit), 16 rebounds (5/28/03 vs. San Antonio), five steals (7/05/03 at San Antonio) and 46 minutes (7/15/03 at Los Angeles) during the 2003 season.

“Adrian is a WNBA veteran and former all-star so we feel she can come in here and help mentor our young post players and become an instant leader,” said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. “She is a very good rebounder and defender and because of her athletic skills and versatility, she will fit in well with an up-tempo style that we expect to run.”

Williams, a 6-4 forward from the University of Southern California, averaged 4.2 points (.400 FG%, .619 FT%) 2.1 rebounds and 12.8 minutes per game in 23 games (eight starts) split between Phoenix and the San Antonio Silver Stars during the 2004 WNBA season. Williams, who was traded to the Silver Stars on July 19 for Gwen Jackson, played last season for Samsung Life Buchumi of the Women’s Korean Basketball League.

In 142 career WNBA games with Phoenix (2000-2004) and San Antonio (2004), the Fresno, Calif. native has averaged 5.7 points (.406 FG%, .634 FT%) 4.7 rebounds and 20.3 minutes per game. She was originally selected by the Phoenix Mercury in the second round (21st overall) of the 2000 WNBA Draft.

The Lynx won the fifth annual WNBA Draft Lottery in October, earning the first pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The team also holds the seventh overall pick in the draft.