Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter
G | 5-9, 166 lbs
2016 season: 32 games, 32 starts, 9.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 51.3 FG%, 27.3 3P%, 89.2 FT%
Minnesota’s own Lindsay Whalen concluded her 13th WNBA season and seventh season with the Minnesota Lynx in 2016.
Whalen began her basketball career in Minnesota, playing at Hutchinson High School before committing to play college basketball at the University of Minnesota from 2000 to 2004.
In 2004, Whalen was selected with the fourth overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, where she ended up playing for the first six seasons of her career. Prior to the 2010 season, the Lynx completed a trade to bring Whalen back to Minnesota.
Since returning to Minnesota, Whalen has played a large role in helping the Lynx win three WNBA championships and appear in the WNBA Finals in five of the last six seasons.
In 2016, Whalen was yet again a big piece in leading the Lynx to the WNBA Finals, where they fell to the Los Angeles Sparks in five games. She finished the year averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds, while starting in all 32 games during the season.
Whalen ranked third among her Lynx teammates in games started (32), fifth in minutes per game (24.6), fourth in points (9.8), sixth in rebounds (2.6), second in assists (3.8), third in field goal percentage (57.4 percent), fifth in three-point percentage (27.3 percent) and first in free throw percentage (89.2 percent) last season.
Whalen is set to begin her 14th WNBA season and her eighth with the Lynx when Minnesota kicks off the 2017 season at 6 p.m. May 14 against the Chicago Sky at Xcel Energy Center.
Top Three Games Of The Season
3.) Sept. 28 vs. Phoenix Mercury
In the 113-95 win over the Phoenix Mercury at Xcel Energy Center in Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals Playoff round, Whalen tallied 19 points, seven assists and two rebounds. She shot 9-for-12 from the field and went 1-for-1 from the free throw line in the game.
2.) July 9 vs. Dallas Wings
In the 93-56 win over the Dallas Wings at Target Center, Whalen finished with one of her best all-around games of the season. She had a game-high 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while shooting 11-for-13 from the field and recording a +/- of +31.
1.) Aug. 28 vs. Seattle Storm
In the 92-80 win over the Seattle Storm at Target Center, Whalen tallied a season-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. She also finished with two assists and went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the game.
Offseason Plans
Whalen is spending her offseason in the Minneapolis area, while she gears up for another WNBA season in May.
Whalen, who is not playing overseas for the first time since 2006, previously played overseas in Russia, Czech Republic and Turkey.
Role For 2017?
In 2016 and for her entire career with Minnesota, Whalen has been the starting point guard and floor general for the Lynx. Expect more of the same from Whalen in 2017.
Throughout her WNBA career, Whalen has played in 426 games and has started in 425 of those games. In her seven seasons with the Lynx, she has started all 229 games she has appeared in.
During her span with the Lynx, Whalen has averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds.
They Said It…
“She’s a proven, All-Star caliber floor leader who’s in the prime of her career, and we expect her to step in and be a great leader for our team, both on and off the court,” Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith said of the acquisition of Whalen prior to the 2010 season. “She’s been one of the elite point guards in the WNBA for the past six years and brings an extensive amount of playoff experience to our roster. To get a player of Lindsay’s caliber at the peak of her career is a major coup for us.”