Legend Status: Cheryl Reeve Earns 200th Career Win

With the Lynx’s victory over the Dallas Wings, coach Cheryl Reeve earned her 200^th career win—a milestone only seven other WNBA coaches have reached. Reeve also has a winning percentage of 70.6—highest among that list.

Leading the group is Mike Thibault of the Washington Mystics with 294 career wins. The next coach ahead of Reeve is the late Anne Donovan with 205.

Reeve’s first season as a head coach was in 2010 when she took the helm for the Lynx. Minnesota won Reeve’s first career game as head coach on May 15, 2010, against the Tulsa Shock. Since then, Reeve has led the Lynx to four championships and seven winning seasons.

In typical fashion, Reeve downplayed her accomplishment and deflected credit to her team.

“I’ve been blessed to be here with this franchise at this time with so many great players,” she said. “I’ve said before, we have players that are some of the best players of all time in their positions playing for the Lynx during my time here. I’m thankful and appreciative that Glen [Taylor] thought it was a good time to bring me here to be able to experience this.”

A key to Reeve’s success is the unique relationship she has with her players. She holds a real and lasting bond with all the players who have been a member of her teams, and she has become a mentor to many WNBA players (such as Katie Smith and Taj McWilliams-Franklin), making the transition to coaching. While her players recognize that Reeve is never one to seek credit, they’re not going to let her off the hook that easy.

“That’s some good stuff,” said Sylvia Fowles. “Yes she’s going to downplay it because she never wants to give herself the credit, but that means a lot for her to reach that 200^th win. You could definitely say she’s the best of the best.”

While Reeve has certainly had some good talent to work with, she brings it all together—a fact that is not lost on her players.

“She’s just been so dedicated, dedicated to this league. We’re just grateful to have someone this passionate, as far as motivating, X’s and O’s, as far as she leads on and off the court,” said Maya Moore. “That’s 200 wins in the toughest league in the world. I’m just happy we get a chance to celebrate her and her commitment to her team, embarrassing her a little bit in the locker room because she doesn’t like to talk about herself. But we made sure she knew she was doing it.”

Through thick and thin, Reeve’s steady hand has helped mold the Lynx into a dynasty. Under her direction, the team went from one that had only made the playoffs once to a perennial championship contender. Reeve’s winning days are far from over, and she’ll likely continue to climb in the record books. For Lynx fans, her march towards history sure is fun to watch.