Lynx Hit the Community

As part of the Timberwolves and Lynx FastBreak Foundation's mission to positively impact Minnesota youth, Lynx head coach Don Zierden and Lynx players Charde Houston and Navonda Moore dedicated a new basketball court to students at University Avenue Elementary School in Blaine Monday afternoon.

Wolves and Lynx broadcaster Alan Horton kicked off the event with a Q&A session between the fifth grade students, Zierden and his players. Among a slew of questions was, "How many points did you score in high school," to which Houston responded, "One million points."

She exaggerated only slightly, as Zierden mentioned, because she is in fact the leading scorer in the history of California H.S. hoops. Fair enough.

After the Q&A session, University Avenue Principal Dr. Bonnie Johnson spoke of how well her students have done in the classroom, and extended appreciation towards Glen Taylor's organization.

"This court is not just for the school but for the community," she said. "We're very proud of this court and we cannot begin to thank you enough. It means a lot to us."

Zierden then followed with some encouraging words of his own.

"In your life, people will tell you that you can't do things," Z said to the children. "We're here to say, 'Don't listen.'"

He told the students that while it's important to work hard on the basketball floor, succeeding in school is even more crucial. For example, Houston missed Minnesota's final preseason game on Sunday ... Because she was in Connecticut graduating from college.

The day concluded with a Coach Z clinic, featuring the ever-popular "Money Ball" contest during which kids shoot for cash, in addition to some ball handling and passing drills.

"Thanks for allowing us to share this with you," said Houston before Wolves and Lynx staffers handed out backpacks, books, posters, cookies and juice. "Make sure you listen to the adults in around you, and dream big."