Minnesotans in the WNBA: Who to watch before the season ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's no secret that here at Prep Girls Hoops we watch a lot of basketball. Between following the high school season all winter, going to AAU events in the spring and summer, and attending showcases in the fall, the hours rack up pretty quickly. That's what it takes to keep tabs on the hundreds of ranked high school players and up-and-coming middle schoolers from across the state. But we don't just stop watching after kids dawn their cap and gown for graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact, following the college and professional careers of the players we once watched as 6th, 7th, and 8th graders is one of the best parts of this job. It's once prospects move off to college that we get to watch them achieve the goals they've worked towards for so many years. And as the talent pool in Minnesota just gets deeper and deeper, we're seeing more players from the Land of 10,000 Lakes shining on the biggest and brightest stages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's worth mentioning that there are so many Minnesotans accomplishing great things at the college level right now, but with the start of the college season still nearly two months away, we'll save that article for another date. But from now until mid-October, the WNBA season is still in full swing, so we figured now was as good a time as any to highlight the Minnesotans who've made it to the top professional league in the world.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently, all 15 WNBA teams are on hiatus due to the FIBA World Cup Tournament, which is being held in Berlin, Germany. The three-week event features 16 different countries, all of whom are hoping to qualify for the Summer 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. But come September 17th, WNBA play will resume and shortly thereafter the playoffs will begin. While the seeding hasn't been determined yet, all eight playoff spots have been clinched. Those teams vying for a championship are the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, and the Dallas Wings. Not every player featured in this story is on a playoff team, so if you haven't had a chance to watch your favorite home-grown player this season, do it while you still can!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All that being said, here's a brief look at all the Minnesotans playing in the WNBA this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":16032,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/10/Paige-Bueckers.jpg?w=380" alt="" class="wp-image-16032" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bueckers (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paige Bueckers – 6'0 Guard, Dallas Wings (UConn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently in her second season with the Dallas Wings, the 2025 #1 draft pick has already earned the Rookie of the Year award, made two All-Star Game appearances, been named second team All-WNBA, and was named Western Conference Player of the Week in July of this year. Heading into the world cup break, Bueckers is averaging 20.5 points and 5.9 assists, leading the Wings in both statistical categories. On top of that, she's shooting 50.6% from the field and 39.7% from three this season. While the world cup is giving many WNBA players a time to get some rest and relaxation, Paige is currently playing in Berlin with Team USA. Already in the MVP conversation, it would come as no surprise to see Bueckers on the final Olympic roster for the summer games in 2028.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nia Coffey – 6'1 Forward, Minnesota Lynx (Northwestern)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ten years into her WNBA career, Coffey signed with her hometown team in the offseason after four straight seasons in Atlanta. The 6'1 forward has seen a surge in minutes, points per game, and three-point percentage since joining the Lynx and played a significant role in the starting lineup while Napheesa Collier recovered from ankle surgery for the first 27 games of the season. Now coming off the bench, Nia will be a key piece of the puzzle for Minnesota as they aim to secure their fifth championship trophy. With a record of 31 wins and 9 losses heading into the world cup break, the Lynx are currently the top team in the league with just four games left in the regular season. Coffey is currently signed with Minnesota through the 2027 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":209179,"width":"578px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5375425291535725","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/10/113_Gianna-Kneepkens_1-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-209179" style="aspect-ratio:1.5375425291535725;width:578px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kneepkens</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gianna Kneepkens – 5'11 Guard, Connecticut Sun (UCLA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing her college career on the highest possible note, Kneepkens entered the league just days after UCLA's national championship win as the 15th overall pick in the WNBA draft. Selected by the Connecticut Sun, the three-point specialist immediately found minutes with the young, rebuilding team. Providing a scoring spark off the bench, Gianna is averaging 3 points per game in her rookie season. With a regular season record of 10 wins and 30 losses and just four regular season games remaining, Connecticut is well out of playoff contention. Despite the poor record, Kneepkens' years of preparation has earned her a spot in the league. Next year Gianna will dawn a new jersey, however, as the recently-sold Connecticut franchise makes it's way to Houston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rachel Banham – 5'10 Guard, Chicago Sky (Minnesota)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now in her 11th season in the WNBA, Banham's ability to weather the storms now makes her one of the longest-tenured Minnesotans to ever play in the league. After spending some time in both Connecticut and Minnesota, Rachel is now in her second full season with the Chicago Sky after being traded to the team during the 2024 season. This summer with the Sky, the former Golden Gopher is averaging 4.7 points per game, and shooting 33.1% from the three-point line. Originally projected to be one of the stronger teams in the WNBA for 2026, the Sky's season has been hampered by multiple season ending injuries. Chicago currently holds a record of 15 wins and 25 losses, putting them in tenth place and out of playoff contention. As an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Banham's destination for next season is still undetermined.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTIONS – Training Camp Signees</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":199839,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/09/Amaya-dribble_Crissha-Walton.jpg?w=602" alt="" class="wp-image-199839" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Battle (Photo: Crissha Walton Photography)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amaya Battle – 5'11 Guard, Logiman Broni (Minnesota)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After making a run to the Sweet 16 in her final season with the Gophers this past March, Battle (pictured above) signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx in April. While she didn't make the final roster for the four-time WNBA champs, Amaya's professional basketball career hasn't stopped there. In July the Gopher's 2nd all-time assist leader signed a contract to spend the 2026-27 season with Logiman Broni, a member of Italy's top professional league, Serie A1. Battle will make her debut for Broni when the season begins in early October.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lauren Jensen – 5'10 Guard, Townsville Fire (Creighton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one of Lakeville North's all-time greats, Jensen finished her college career as one of the top players in the Big East, earning a 1st Team All Big East selection for the 2024-25 season. After going undrafted, the 5'10 guard participated in training camp with the Washington Mystics and then went on to play for Proteas Voulas in Greece's A1 league this past winter. After averaging 20.8 points per game for the Greek club, Lauren signed another training camp contract in April of this year, this time with the Phoenix Mercury. Later this month, Jensen will make her debut for the Townsville Fire, a WNBL team based in Queensland, Australia.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->