cover-image

The Lynx are inching their way to the 2020 WNBA season but have announced more roster changes before heading to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida where their 22-game season will be held.

On Wednesday, the Lynx announced they have signed forward Megan Huff to their 2020 roster. The team also announced forward Cecilia Zandalasini will miss the 2020 season due to personal reasons.

But the intent of this article isn’t to focus on Zanadalasini and what her absence means for the Lynx. Rather, it’s to break down what Huff could bring to the table.

Huff, a 6’3” forward from Federal Way, Wash., spent the first two seasons of her collegiate career at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa where she primarily played the center position for the Rainbow Wāhine and was also a member of the school’s volleyball team.

Huff recorded career averages of 19.6 minutes, 8.6 points and 5.8 rebounds and was named the Big West Sixth Player of the Year in her two seasons with the Rainbow Wāhine before transferring to the University of Utah the summer of 2016.

Huff’s decision to transfer quickly proved to be astute.

Huff averaged 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in her first season in Utah, starting in 29 of her 30 games with the Utes. Her role increased even more so her senior year in which she averaged 31.4 minutes, 19.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, shot 47.7% from the field and 37.0% from 3-point range.

Huff became a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection and joined her new school’s 1,000-point club in just two seasons at Utah. Her improvement raised her draft stock and ultimately made her a third-round WNBA draft pick after the New York Liberty selected her with the 26th overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Huff didn’t receive too much playing time in the Liberty’s following preseason action and was cut by the team before the 2019 regular season began.

After her WNBA career was derailed, Huff spent the 2019-20 winter season playing in Latvia for TTT Riga where she averaged 11.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13 EuroLeague appearances.

In Utah, Huff became known as a versatile scorer and defender who was comfortable playing along the perimeter and in the post. Huff has yet to make a name for herself in the WNBA, but her vast skill set should give her a chance to do so on this Lynx team.

A Forward With Range

Huff only went 4-for-11 from 3-point range in her two seasons serving as a center with the Rainbow Wāhine but took it upon herself to improve her shooting range when asked to serve as a forward with the Utes.

Huff went 78-for-208 (37.5%) from deep in her 60 games played with Utah, averaging over three attempted 3s per game.

Those 3-point-shooting numbers will garner attention from WNBA fans but shouldn’t take away from what she’s capable of in the paint, either.

Huff shot 49% from the field at Utah and used her long wingspan to convert offensive rebounds into athletic shots at the rim. She also attempted just under four FTs per game and shot 81.1% from the charity stripe.

Huff’s scoring abilities may be hindered once she’s up against the best of the best, but her track record shows she’s willing to innovate her game as needed.

Dynamic Defender

The Lynx’s offseason was filled with talk about the team needing to add capable guards to its roster, but there probably wasn’t enough talk about the team’s needs at the power forward position. Admittedly, I neglected to consider the team’s post needs.

Damiris Dantas is currently the only forward 6’3” or taller listed on Minnesota’s roster. Huff not only adds height to the Lynx’s roster but like Dantas, gives the Lynx options on the defensive end.

Huff’s experience playing as a center and power forward in college will give her a leg up in interior defense once she gets another shot in the WNBA, but her athleticism and ability to defend along the perimeter may be even more valuable to this team.

Huff will need to add some strength to her frame before she can be utilized as a back-up for Sylvia Fowles or Kayla Alexander at the center position, but her capability of guarding 2s, 3s and 4s will strengthen her chances of earning minutes for the Lynx.

Another Player Waiting For Her Opportunity

It’s been a wild, unpredictable, long offseason for the Lynx, but one thing is certain: there are plenty of players on this roster ready to prove themselves.

Lexie Brown, Rachel Banham, Crystal Dangerfield and Shenise Johnson all want to prove they can fulfill their team’s point guard duties.

Alexander wants to prove she’s a worthy back-up center for Fowles.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Napheesa Collier wants to prove she can take her game to the next level in her sophomore season.

Huff has been given an opportunity to prove she belongs in the WNBA, and if she makes the most of it, her hunger will serve as fuel to the fire of this long-awaited Lynx season.

Get To Know Megan Huff

There Is Not Much Megan Huff Can’t Do