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WNBA Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota Lynx Finalize 2008 Roster for Opening Night of 10th Anniversary Season

May 16, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release


MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team's 2008 roster for the Opening Night of the team's 10th Anniversary Season. The Lynx finalized their 13-player roster by placing forward Kathrin Ress on the Suspended List. Ress remained in Italy because of obligations to the Italian National Team.

The 2008 roster includes three WNBA rookies: former Stanford guard Candice Wiggins (first round, 3rd pick), former Tennessee forward/center Nicky Anosike (first round, 16th pick) and former Connecticut forward Charde Houston (third round, 30th pick). All three rookies ended their collegiate careers in the 2008 NCAA Final Four in Tampa, Fla.

Also new to the Lynx 2008 roster are 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star Anna DeForge, eight-year veteran Kristen Rasmussen and reserve point guard Crystal Smith. Vanessa Hayden-Johnson returns to the team after sitting out the 2007 season due to pregnancy. DeForge was signed February 19 after spending the last two seasons with the Indiana Fever. The six-year veteran guard has averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in her career. The Lynx acquired Rasmussen in exchange for Tamika Raymond on March 14. Rasmussen joins the Lynx having averaged 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game in her career. The Lynx will be the eighth team that Rasmussen has played for in her nine seasons in the WNBA. Hayden-Johnson was drafted by the Lynx in the first round of the 2004 WNBA Draft with the seventh overall selection. In three seasons, she averaged 6.2 points, 3.9 points, and 1.5 blocks in 93 career games.

The Lynx enter the 2008 season under the guidance of second-year head coach Don Zierden. Joining Zierden on the 2008 Lynx coaching staff are Jennifer Gillom, Julie Plank and Ed Prohofsky. Gillom, who was one of the first players signed by the WNBA, played seven seasons in the league, including six with the Phoenix Mercury. She led the Mercury to three playoff berths (1997, 1998, 2000), where they advanced to the 1998 WNBA Finals. Gillom retired from the WNBA with career averages of 13.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Plank, who has amassed a 510-243 record in her 23-year career as an assistant coach, was most recently an assistant coach and director of scouting for the Indiana Fever from the team's inception in 2000 through the 2007 season. Prohofsky returns for his 51st season of coaching basketball and his second as a Lynx assistant coach.

All 2008 Minnesota Lynx games will be broadcast on the radio home of the Lynx, BOB 106.1 FM. Alan Horton will begin his first season as the Lynx play-by-play radio voice. Horton handled the Timberwolves' play-by-play duties for the 2007-08 season and was the Seattle Storm's play-by-play radio voice for the 2007 season.

The Lynx will have a total of 14 games on television in 2008. FSN North will televise locally seven 2008 Lynx games. Six of the seven telecasts will feature Target Center dates, including the tip-off game of the 10th Anniversary Season against the Eastern Conference Champion Detroit Shock on May 18 at 5 p.m. In addition to the seven games on local television, the Lynx will also be featured on the ESPN2 broadcast of the June 10 home game against the Connecticut Sun. NBA TV will air a total of 10 Lynx games, including four that will air simultaneously on FSN North.

The Lynx will open their 10th Anniversary Season on May 18, 2008, against the Detroit Shock. The first 5,000 fans will receive a T-shirt courtesy of U.S. Bank. Season and group tickets are on sale now for this historic season. Be a part of the celebration by calling 612-673-8400, e-mailing tickets@lynxbasketball.com or visiting www.lynxbasketball.com.

2008 Minnesota Lynx Roster

No. Player Pos Ht Wt Birthdate College/Year Yrs

21 Nkolika (Nicky) Anosike F/C 6-2 210 02/27/86 Tennessee '08 R

33 Seimone Augustus G 6-0 180 04/30/84 Louisiana State '06 2

30 Anna DeForge G 5-10 158 04/14/76 Nebraska '98 6

10 Lindsey Harding* G 5-8 142 06/12/84 Duke '07 1

55 Vanessa Hayden-Johnson C 6-4 250 06/05/82 Florida '04 3

3 Nicole Ohlde F/C 6-5 189 03/13/82 Kansas State '04 4

20 Charde Houston F 5-11¼ 190 04/10/86 Connecticut '08 R

34 Navonda Moore G 5-8½ 150 11/04/84 Alabama '07 1

14 Eshaya (Shay) Murphy G 5-11 160 04/15/85 Southern California '07 1

45 Noelle Quinn G 6-0 172 01/03/85 UCLA '07 1

52 Kristen Rasmussen F 6-4 165 11/01/78 Michigan State '00 8

15 Crystal Smith G 5-4 121 03/12/84 Iowa '06 2

11 Candice Wiggins G 5-11½ 154 02/14/87 Stanford '08 R

* - Harding out indefinitely with left knee injury

Head Coach: Don Zierden (Mount Senario '81)

Assistant Coaches: Jennifer Gillom (Mississippi '86)

Julie Plank (Ohio State '83)

Ed Prohofsky (Minnesota '58)

Trainer: Chuck Barta (La Crosse '88)

Associate Trainer: Angie Szumowski (Winona State '97)

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tom Conroy (NE Illinois '96)

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