When thinking about basketball and Minnesota, and the name “Lindsay Whalen” does not automatically come to mind, someone needs to be tested on their North basketball I.Q.
The Minnesota Lynx became a dynasty throughout the 2010s, in large part to the winning Whays of No. 13. She was a key cog in Minnesota’s four titles they won from 2011-17 (all in odd-numbered years).
It is only fitting that one of Minnesota’s signature basketball players will have her jersey raised to the rafters of Minnesota’s signature basketball arena – and that the No. 13 will never be worn by another Lynx player.
Thank you to the @minnesotalynx for this amazing honor. None of it is possible without being on a GREAT team and the support of my coaches, teammates, family and friends!!
— Lindsay Whalen (@Lindsay_13) April 19, 2019
It’s goin’ up. 👆 pic.twitter.com/7syfw9eomm
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 18, 2019
👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/dJqhj4rCxQ
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 18, 2019
Her jersey retirement will take place on June 8 when the Lynx host the Los Angeles Sparks at Target Center.
None of this would happen if the team didn’t have success.
–Lindsay Whalen at news conference
My jersey wouldn’t be up there if we didn’t win four championships.
Whalen was one of several players that made the Lynx dynasty happen – including Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, and Rebekkah Brunson who was at the presser along with other Lynx luminaries, including Glen Taylor, the team’s owner, and head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve.
If she had made the announcement earlier last season, I would have said let’s have the ceremony in the last game she plays. Let’s raise it. It’s such a no-brainer.
–Cheryl Reeve, head coach, general manager, Minnesota Lynx
Whalen expects that her Minnesota teammates that also contributed to the four championships will also have their jerseys raised as well.
I’m sure it’s going to be a long line of players coming up there with me.
–Lindsay Whalen
Reeve lauded praise on Whalen’s career by mentioning all of the effort she put in over her career to play as hard as she did to represent not only herself, and her team, but also her home.
It’s well-documented what a teammate, what a leader, I don’t think you should understate the work, the sacrifice that it takes to perform every single time she played, and to represent the state of Minnesota, Lindsay did it with such grace.
–Cheryl Reeve, head coach and general manager, Minnesota Lynx
