Janel McCarville

The 2026 WNBA season will mark Janel McCarville’s first year as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Lynx, returning to the organization where she won a WNBA championship as a player in 2013. McCarville rejoins the Lynx following a nine-year professional playing career, bringing extensive experience at both the WNBA and international levels.

McCarville returns to the Lynx after a WNBA career spanning nine seasons, highlighted by a 2013 championship with Minnesota. The former first overall pick in the 2005 draft was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player in 2007 while establishing herself as one of the league’s most skilled and versatile post players. Across her career, she appeared in 286 games with Charlotte, New York and Minnesota, averaging 7.7 points on 49.1% shooting from the floor, along with 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Acquired by Minnesota via trade in 2013, McCarville became a key contributor during one of the most successful eras in franchise history, appearing in 27 postseason games and helping the team to two WNBA Finals appearances (2013, 2016).

A standout at the University of Minnesota, McCarville led the Golden Gophers to two Sweet Sixteen appearances and the program’s first-ever Final Four berth in 2004, while becoming the first player in program history to compete in the NCAA Tournament in all four seasons. Following her playing career, McCarville transitioned into coaching, gaining experience with Swedish club Alvik Basket before returning to her alma mater, Stevens Point Area Senior High School (Wis.), serving as head coach of the girls’ basketball program and helping elevate it into one of the top programs in the state. McCarville now reunites with former Golden Gopher and Lynx teammate Lindsay Whalen, alongside former Lynx teammate Rebekkah Brunson, completing Minnesota’s coaching staff.

Following her playing career, McCarville transitioned into coaching, gaining experience with Swedish club Alvik Basket before returning to Stevens Point Area Senior High School (Wis.), where she served as head coach of the girls’ basketball program. During her tenure, she helped elevate the program into one of the top teams in the state, guiding sustained competitive success and player development at a high level. McCarville brings that coaching experience, along with her extensive professional playing background, back to the Lynx bench.