Minnesota Lynx Sign Kayla McBride, Natalie Achonwa


Minnesota Lynx Sign Guard Kayla McBride

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve today announced that the team has signed free agent guard Kayla McBride. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very excited to welcome Kayla to the Minnesota Lynx family,” said Reeve. “She is a fierce competitor with a will to win and we look forward to having her in a Lynx uniform this season and beyond.”

A three-time WNBA All-Star, McBride joins the Lynx after spending her first seven seasons with San Antonio and Las Vegas, having helped the Aces reach the 2020 Finals by starting all 22 games and scoring 12.5 ppg with 2.3 rpg and 2.4 apg. In 195 games, the Erie, Pa., native holds career averages of 14.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.4 apg while hitting 36.7% from three-point range and 89.5% from the free throw line. She enjoyed her best season to date with Las Vegas in 2018, tallying a career-best 18.2 ppg (good for eighth in the WNBA), 3.9 rpg and a career-high 3.5 apg. She has ranked among the league’s top 10 in free throw accuracy in each of the past four seasons and shot a career-best 42.8% from three-point distance in 2019.

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“Being in Minnesota is something I am so hyped about,” said McBride. “The city, the fans and the organization have all been something I have admired for so long. Coach Reeve and her staff believe in me to be a part of the special atmosphere they have here and I am extremely excited to become a part of it.”

McBride, selected by San Antonio in the first round (third overall) the 2014 WNBA Draft, was named to the All-Rookie Team after ranking third among rookies in scoring (13.0 ppg). The 2014 Notre Dame graduate led the Irish to the NCAA Championship game on three occasions and was named the ACC‘s Player of the Year during her senior season. She has also played professionally in Hungary, Russia and Turkey.

Minnesota Lynx Sign Forward Natalie Achonwa

Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve today announced that the team has signed free agent forward Natalie Achonwa. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“Through her first six years in the WNBA, Natalie has established herself as not only one of the toughest players in the league, but also one of its best leaders,” said Reeve. “We are thrilled she has chosen to be a Lynx.”

Achonwa, selected by Indiana in the first round (ninth overall) the 2014 WNBA Draft, has garnered off the court accomplishments as well in her six seasons in the league. She was named the recipient of the 2020 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award and the 2019 WNBA Community Assist winner. The 2015 All-Rookie Team selection has played in 168 regular season games with career averages of 7.7 ppg (on 52.6% shooting) and 4.5 rpg. She started all 34 games for the Fever in 2018, registering career highs of 10.3 ppg (52.7%) and 6.9 rpg (ranking 12th in the WNBA) while playing a career-high 26.0 mpg. Achonwa has also appeared in seven career playoff games, highlighted by a trip to the 2015 WNBA Finals vs. Minnesota.

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