Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter
G | 5-8, 168 lbs
2016 season: 34 games, 5 starts, 6.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 36.6 FG%, 22.8 3P%, 83.3 FT%
The 2016 season marked Jia Perkins’ first season with the Minnesota Lynx, but she played a key role in helping the Lynx reach the WNBA Finals once again.
Perkins, who was selected by the Charlotte Sting with the 35th pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, played two years in Charlotte, five seasons in Chicago and five seasons in San Antonio before being traded to Minnesota prior to the 2016 season.
Perkins, who completed her 13th season in the WNBA, was one of five Lynx players to appear in all 34 games last season.
Perkins, a 2009 WNBA All-Star, primarily came off of the bench for the Lynx during the season, which is somewhat of a different role compared to what she has played on different teams in years past. But the 34-year-old guard took the role of providing the Lynx with depth in stride in 2016.
Perkins ranked sixth among Lynx players in minutes per game (20.7), eighth in points (6.4), seventh in rebounds (2.6), fifth in steals (0.9) and sixth in free throw percentage (83.3 percent).
The Lynx are set to start the 2017 season on May 14 against the Chicago Sky at Xcel Energy Center.
Top Three Game Of The Season
3.) July 2 vs. San Antonio Stars
In the 91-68 win over the San Antonio Stars at Target Center, Perkins had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists in 27-plus minutes, which was her highest minute total coming off the bench during the season. Perkins shot 6-for-11 from the field and wen 2-for-2 from the free throw line.
2.) July 9 vs. Dallas Wings
In the 93-56 blowout victory over the Dallas Wings at Target Center, Perkins finished with a near double-double of 12 points and nine rebounds, along with dishing out four assists. In 31-plus minutes, she shot 6-of-12 from the field and went 4-for-7 from the free throw line in the game.
1.) June 10 at Atlanta Dream
In the 110-78 win over the Atlanta Dream at Philips Arena, Perkins tallied a season-high 18 points along with five assists, three rebounds and one steal in 30-plus minutes in the start at shooting guard. Perkins shot 7-for-11 from the field, went 2-for-5 from three and 2-for-2 from the free throw line to finish with a +/- of +22.
Offseason Plans
Perkins is spending her offseason at home in Texas spending time with family and relaxing while gearing up for the upcoming season.
Perkins, who is a graduate of Texas Tech, was inducted into the Red Raiders’ Hall of Fame in November.
Role For 2017?
Perkins’ role in her first season with the Lynx was to be primarily the first player to come off the bench, while stepping into the starting role when a starter went down.
Perkins averaged the most minutes out of any bench players in 2016, while averaging the third-most points among the Lynx bench players.
In 2017, expect Perkins to continue to be a key piece coming off the bench and providing the Lynx a spark within its second unit.