Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun 

The Minnesota Lynx announced today that they have signed guard Kalana Greene.

It has been a whirlwind for Greene since joining the WNBA and I’m going to catch you up on the whole journey. We’re going to move quick so hold on tight.

Greene was originally drafted by the New York Liberty as the 13th pick in 2010 out of the University of Connecticut  (yes, she played with forward Maya Moore and guard Renee Montgomery while winning National Championships at UConn, bringing  the number of Connecticut Huskies on the current Lynx roster to four). Greene was traded to the Connecticut Sun after just one season with the Liberty, during which she averaged 4.5 points in just over 15 minutes of play. Greene’s time in Connecticut lasted three years (averaged 4.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in the three seasons) before being waived by the Sun then quickly claimed off waivers by the Washington Mystics. After playing just a singular season for the Mystics, during which she appeared in just 20 games, Greene was waived before the start of this season. Quickly scooped up by the San Antonio Stars, Greene appeared in just 11 games with the team before being released and, today, signing with the Lynx.

Alright, everybody got that? Good, let’s continue then.

With injuries to All-Star guards Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen, the Lynx sought to get deeper at the guard position and found such depth in Greene.

“I think she got through our practice today pretty well without knowing anything, and I think her teammates were terrific in terms of sharing with her what we like to do,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. “I just told Kalana to come in and play hard and don’t turn the ball over and she’ll be able to help us and give us that depth.”

A five year veteran, Greene had written off playing again this season but was thrilled when her agent told her of the opportunity available here in Minnesota.

“I was surprised,” Greene admitted, “but it’s a great opportunity, great team, great organization and I’m familiar with a lot of the players. I played against them in college and professionally and played with a lot of them too, so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this.”

The Lynx now have a full roster at 13 players with the addition of Greene and, with the injuries they’re facing, will look to get Greene up to speed and immersed with the team as quickly as possible; a challenge that Greene says will be difficult but a challenge she is ready to conquer.

“[The biggest challenge is] just learning other player’s tendencies and you have to learn it quick. I come in today [with only] two or three days before a game and a couple practices before a game, so I have to pick things up really quickly. I have to learn the playbook then go back and scout Indiana so it’s just a matter of cramming everything in in a short period of time.”

After spending time at both the shooting guard and small forward positions while with San Antonio, Reeve says that Greene will alternate between both positions in Minnesota as well, making Minnesota’s back-court a nightmare defensively.

With guards Anna Cruz and Renee Montgomery playing stellar defense – showcased in Sunday night’s win over the Phoenix Mercury – Greene will fit in well as another tenacious defender that can get after ball-handlers and create turnovers. Despite averaging just 4.3 points in her career, Greene is a great shooter as well, shooting an average of 42 percent in her career.

The addition of Greene is not an acquisition that will steal headlines or create a ton of noise throughout the league, but Greene is a great defender with an ability to get her shots and make them and, as was desired, will make the Lynx a deeper and more dangerous team come playoff time.

Greene is expected to make her Lynx debut on Friday night when they take on the Indiana Fever. The game will start at 7:00 P.M CT.

FUN FACT:

When she’s done playing basketball, Greene’s immediate goal is to make a living as a general contractor, dealing primarily, but not exclusively, with the maintenance of cell phone towers.