Alexander Shun
Web Editorial Associate
There was a familiar and friendly face at Lynx training camp today.
Lynx Guard Lindsey Whalen returned to the team for her first practice this season.
Focused on providing the veteran leadership the team desires, Whalen says her first practice back was mostly business as usual.
“I was just trying to make it through my first day,” Whalen joked. “I was kind of just focused on that and making sure I was getting us into the right sets and the right plays.”
Whalen, whose 14.1 points per game last season ranked third best on the team, brings an obvious high level of scoring ability, but also provides the team with leadership and experience.
Such intangibles are things that head coach Cheryl Reeve sees as very valuable assets to have; noting the changes at practice that such a player like Whalen brings.
“There’s nothing like a veteran returning to training camp as far as what it does for the mood, and what it does when you insert an Olympian into your stuff. It’s exciting for everybody.”
After playing overseas in Turkey since January, Whalen returned early last week but chose to take some off to recover rather than join the team for the start of training camp; a move that Whalen says will provide her longevity for the season.
The Lynx will definitely want Whalen rested and healthy all season, especially when the playoffs begin.
In five playoff games last season, Whalen led the team in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game, while adding 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists as well.
A deep playoff run is definitely possible once again and is one of the major reasons Whalen is so committed to the team.
“We’ve built something so great here and I’m so familiar with Coach [Reeve] and ‘Mone [Seimone Augustus], and Maya [Moore], and with all of us back I was just anxious, excited, and definitely ready to go.”
Whalen and the Lynx will be without one familiar face this season though.
Lynx center, and Whalen’s teammate at the University of Minnesota, Janel McCarville will not be with the team this season after McCarville opted to not play the 2015 season due to personal reasons.
Having played with McCarville for so long, Whalen says her presence will be missed.