MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the franchise will retire the jersey numbers of both Rebekkah Brunson and Seimone Augustus during the 2022 WNBA season. Brunson’s number 32 and Augustus’ number 33 will be the second and third numbers officially retired in franchise history, joining Lindsay Whalen’s number 13.
“It will be an amazing moment to have both Rebekkah Brunson and Seimone Augustus honored when we can share this experience with more fans next season,” said Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve. “Both players were instrumental in the franchise’s historic run of four championships in seven seasons. I’m thrilled to know their numbers will soon join Lindsay’s in the rafters.”
The jersey retirement of record five-time WNBA champion and current Lynx Assistant Coach Brunson was previously announced to take place during the 2020 season but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 15-year veteran who appeared in eight WNBA Finals, won four of her five championships in a Lynx uniform. Brunson retired first on the WNBA all-time leaderboard in total rebounds with 3,356 before Sylvia Fowles (currently 3,469 boards) passed her during the 2020 season. Brunson earned five All-Star selections, was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2011) and selected six times for All-Defensive Second Team (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018).
“As a player, I was honored to play with greats like Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus,” said Brunson. “To be able to be a part of building the foundation on the court and setting the tone for what the Minnesota Lynx have become. I would be further blessed to have the opportunity to hang with them in the rafters of Our House, where so many battles were fought and so many memories were made.”
Acquired by Minnesota from Sacramento on Dec. 14, 2009, Brunson appeared in 261 Lynx games, totaling 2,463 points, 267 steals, 174 blocked shots and 56 double-doubles. She holds the franchise-high in all three categories for rebounding with offensive (688), defensive (1,470) and total (2,158).
Brunson appeared in 453 career regular season games, averaging 9.2 points (with 46.6% shooting), 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists. Brunson also appeared in 81 postseason contests, including a league-record 34 WNBA Finals games. She tallied 57 total postseason wins, the most ever in WNBA history.
Augustus, selected by the Lynx first overall in the 2006 draft won all four of her WNBA championship titles with Minnesota. Within her 15 WNBA seasons, the eight-time all-star veteran spent 14 with the Lynx before she played her last season with the Los Angeles Sparks as a free agent in 2020 and announced retirement earlier this year.
“The Minnesota Lynx organization, fans and community will always have a special place in my heart,” said Augustus. “I poured my soul into this city for 14 years and created incredible memories on and off the court. I’m proud to be a part of a group of women that delivered four championships and made history. I’m forever grateful to Los Lynx Nation and honored that my jersey will be in the rafters of the Target Center.”
Named Rookie of the Year in 2006, Augustus ranked first in scoring (744), field goals made (283) and free-throw percentage (89.7) among all WNBA rookies that year. Her 5,881 career points makes her Minnesota’s all-time scoring leader, a comfortable 897 points atop of Maya Moore in second. Augustus is also first on Minnesota’s franchise leaderboard in regular season games played (370), games started (365) and playing minutes (10,917).
After 391 career regular season games, Augustus retired 10th in league scoring with 6,005 points. She held career averages of 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. She also earned three Olympic gold medals with team USA in 2008, 2012, and 2016.