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The Lynx, struggling to stave off the injury bug lately, signed two players to the roster before their game against the Dream on Tuesday. Neither have played with the Lynx during the regular season this year but they’re not new faces either…

Welcome back to the team Kenisha Bell and Asia Taylor!

Bell was drafted by the Lynx this year and was one of the last training camp cuts. Taylor was drafted by the Lynx in the third round of the 2014 draft and has played in 64 career WNBA games for four teams. While it’s unclear how long either will be with the team, they’re excited to join up and help the team get a few much-needed wins.

Both players have been staying busy waiting for the opportunity to get back in the WNBA. Bell has been paying with a Pro-Am team in the Twin Cities as well as on the University of Minnesota scout team while Taylor has been back in Columbus, Ohio working on her game.

Bell has also stayed in touch with several members of the Lynx and has attended quite a few games. Being so close to the team and having played in training camp will help Bell adjust quickly.

“You learn a lot about a team and what the coaching staff want,” said Bell. “You can bring that to the team when you come—you know what you have to focus on to practice outside of just the training camp and just the practices that I’ve been involved in.”

While Taylor was not with the Lynx in training camp, she is more of an experienced WNBA player and she knows how to make an impact quickly.

“It’s X’s and O’s that I’ve already gone through a million times,” said Taylor. “Really, it’s just effort and energy, like I was telling coach, ‘Hey, worst case scenario I’m going to get that thing, swing it and set a good screen and make a play.’”

Taylor has an excellent relationship with Reeve—the coach who first drafted her into the league. She’ll come out and compete hard for this team.

“Cheryl knows I’ve got a soft spot for her because she drafted me so that was major just to talk to her,” she said. “I definitely appreciated the call and I know that coach knows what I can bring, so just happy to be here.”

Both players are happy to be back in the WNBA and ready to take full advantage of their opportunity. Adjusting back to the rigor of the league will be a challenge but it’s one both Bell and Taylor are up to.

“I learn pretty quick; I just have to adjust to some of the things that they have and just bring it,” said Bell. “It’s good girls on the team that’s been there for a while. I respect their game and I respect the coaching staff to know what they’re doing. I stay ready just like they told me to because I never know what could happen.”

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