Alexander Shun
Web Editor Associate | Twitter
It is rare that players get to play professional sports in the same place they played collegiate sports. However, that is exactly what happened for Lynx Forward Shae Kelley.
After spending one year playing basketball at the University of Minnesota, Kelley was drafted with the 11th pick in the third round by…wouldn’t you know it, the Minnesota Lynx.
Kelley’s road to the WNBA was long and included stints at three different schools, but it was her time in Minnesota that really boosted her stock before draft time.
What Kelley didn’t know at the time was that Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve had season tickets to the Gopher women’s basketball games, and that Reeve loved the way she played.
“Shae is relentless. Shae listens and then she applies and she doesn’t give up on plays. That’s what I enjoyed, watching her with the Gophers. I thought she was such a key-ingredient to their success and I’m really happy that we selected her and I think she’s really holding her own.”
Kelley couldn’t have landed in a better situation. She now has the privilege of playing with and learning from three amazing players. As champions, all-stars, and Olympians, Forward and 2014 WNBA MVP Maya Moore, along with Guards Seimone Augustus and, former Golden Gopher herself, Lindsay Whalen, have helped to make the transition to the pro game much easier for Kelley.
Kelley says it has been great learning from players who have had success at all levels, and hopes that she can use their knowledge to better her game personally while continuing to achieve great team success.
Despite the wealth of experience and guidance that such players provide, Kelley is still a rookie and knows that she is going to have some ups-and-downs. However, being in her first professional training camp, Kelley says there have been more ups than downs, noting how quickly she gained chemistry with the other players and how fast she is learning everything.
Although Minnesota may admittedly not be the “hometown team” for Kelley, it is a place where she can feel at home. And competing for a WNBA title on a championship caliber team, well that is something Kelley could definitely get used to in Minnesota.
Quick Hits:
The Lynx will play their first preseason game next Wednesday in Washington against the Mystics.