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MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Lynx today unveiled the third set of five players who will be recognized as part of the All-25 Team in Lynx history throughout the 25th anniversary season. Each week, a new set of players will be announced followed by a social media campaign highlighting their contributions to the Lynx franchise. Qualifications for this honor are strictly statistical and award-based, the list is comprised of players who have scored 1,000+ points, grabbed 500+ rebounds, started 50+ games, were members of 2+ WNBA Championship teams, represented the Lynx in the WNBA All-Star Game and/or were end-of-season WNBA award winners. This week’s five of the All-25 Team include:

Betty Lennox – Guard

Drafted by Minnesota in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2000 WNBA Draft, Lennox quickly made a name for herself with her high-energy and aggressive style of play. A 5-8 guard, Lennox’s rookie season was outstanding, averaging 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, and ultimately, naming her the 2000 WNBA Rookie of the Year and the first in franchise history. Lennox was also an All-Star selection the same season.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin – Center

Largely considered one of the best post players in league history, the 6-2 center spent two years with the Lynx. McWilliams-Franklin was an excellent rebounder and known for scoring in the paint. She is the fifth all-time leading rebounder in the WNBA history and is second in offensive rebounds behind only Minnesota’s Rebekkah Brunson.

In 2011, her first year with the Lynx, McWilliams-Franklin was the starting center for 33 of 34 games, and averaged 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 as, 1.0 steals and .7 blocks per game. In the playoffs, she increased her scoring to 10.6 points per game, and blocked 1.2 shots per game, ultimately, helping Minnesota earn its first-ever WNBA championship.

Tamika Williams – Power Forward

Minnesota selected Williams with the sixth pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, joining a Lynx team led by now Lynx Associate Head Coach Katie Smith. Williams is perhaps best known for leading the team to its first ever playoff win in 2003 when Minnesota faced the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round.

With the score tied at 72 with 9.8 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the series and the Sparks inbounding the ball, Williams picked off the inbounds pass for a fast-break basket, sealing the victory for the Lynx. It was the culmination of a highly successful year for Williams. In 2003, she set a WNBA record for field goal accuracy in a season, with a percentage of 66.8. Williams played with the Lynx for six seasons (2002-2007).

Monica Wright – Guard

Drafted by the Lynx with the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft, Wright was a member of the Lynx championship teams in 2011 and 2013. In her rookie year with the Lynx, Wright averaged 11.1 points per game on 37-percent shooting, along with 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team.

During the 2013 season, Wright shot 42.8-percent from the field and averaged a career-high 2.3 assists per game. She also played a key role in the Lynx’s 2013 championship run, scoring 9.1 points off the bench in 21.1 minutes per game in the playoffs.

Teresa Edwards – Point Guard

In the 2003 WNBA Draft, the Lynx used the 14th pick to bring Edwards to Minnesota. On top of a successful career with the ABL, Edwards had already participated in five Olympic games—more than any other American basketball player, male or female. Edwards played with the Lynx for two years before retiring from the WNBA. She averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 assists over the course of her career, and helped the Lynx make their first-ever playoff appearance in 2003. In 2006, Edwards rejoined the franchise as an assistant coach.

In honor of the 25th anniversary, Minnesota Lynx legends who are a part of the All-25 Team have been invited for a reunion weekend celebrating the historic accomplishments of the franchise, which will tip-off at Target Center on Friday, June 9 vs. Indiana Fever and conclude with the jersey retirement of Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles on Sunday, June 11 vs. the Los Angeles Sparks.

Previously unveiled All-25 Team players include: Nicky Anosike, Crystal Dangerfield, Damiris Dantas, Tonya Edwards, Charde Houston, Kayla McBride, Janel McCarville, Renee Montgomery, Devereaux Peters and Odyssey Sims. Learn more about the All-25 Team at: lynx.wnba.com/25th-anniversary.

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