Lynx Forward Moore Named Western Conference Player of the Week

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The WNBA today named Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played May 14 through May 22. The Player of the Week award is Moore’s first of the season and the 15th of her career.

Opening the season with a 3-0 record to remain one of two unbeaten teams alongside Los Angeles, Moore led the Lynx in assists in all three wins and was the team’s top scorer twice and leading rebounder once.

The sixth-year pro from the University of Connecticut tallied 16 of her game-high 17 points in the second half of Minnesota’s opening night victory over Phoenix. Alongside her 27 points, she added a career-best 10 assists, notching her 27th career double-double and becoming the first player in WNBA history to collect 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a season-opener. Moore put up 22 points and six assists in the May 18 win at Chicago, marking her 74th 20+ point performance in Lynx uniform. On May 22 at Seattle, Moore registered 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists, the eighth time in her career she’s led the Lynx across the board in points, rebounds and assists. She currently ranks among the league’s top 15 in scoring (second), assists, (second), blocks (11th), FG accuracy (11th), three-point accuracy (15th), FT accuracy (15th) and minutes (12th).

New York's Tina Charles was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

The Lynx play next on Wednesday, May 25 against the Phoenix Mercury at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. CT and the game can be heard on BOB 106.1 FM.

UMC Unveils 2016 Volleyball Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program officially released their 2016 schedule Thurs., May 19. The Golden Eagles will play a 28-match schedule including a 20-match conference schedule and eight-match non-conference slate. The schedule features six matches against teams that competed in the 2015 NCAA Division II Tournament and six games against teams that finished in the final AVCA Top 25 poll.

“Our 2016 schedule is once again very tough,” said Head Coach Lee Anderson. It is highlighted by playing eight teams that were ranked in the Top 25 nationally at one point in the season or that participated in the NCAA Tournament. We are excited to play the level of teams that are on our schedule. Every year we play the top teams not only in our region but in the country. It is great to be part of the NSIC.”

The Golden Eagles are coming off an 8-20 (4-16 NSIC) season. UMC returns an experienced squad with five returning starters, as well as four other student-athletes who saw significant playing time last season. UMC returns 17 players overall, including four student-athletes who redshirted the 2015 season. The Golden Eagles will be led by Maggie Perrel (Jr., OH/RS, New Germany, Minn.), who averaged 2.86 kills and 2.34 digs per set last season. On the block, Kelci Green (Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) returns after a strong season averaging 1.13 blocks per set, while Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) returns at setter after averaging 8.41 assists per set. Casey Cashman (Sr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) led the libero position last season with 3.23 digs per set.

UMC will open the season Sept. 2-3 at the Ferris State University Invitational in Big Rapids, Mich. The Golden Eagles will play NCAA Tournament participant Grand Valley State University Fri., Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. C.T. They will then face Lake Superior State University, who went 0-25 last season, at 2:30 p.m. C.T. The next day of the tournament, UMC will face another NCAA Tournament participant in Cal State University-San Bernardino at 8:30 a.m. C.T. They will finish off the tournament against West Virginia State University, who went 8-18 in 2015, at 1:30 p.m. C.T.

The next weekend, the Golden Eagles will head down Interstate 29 to the University of Sioux Falls Invitational Sept. 9-10. UMC will have their first of three matches against Bemidji State University at 9 a.m. Sept. 9. The Beavers have new leadership with Head Coach Kevin Ulmer after going 7-22 in 2015. UMC will then face South Dakota School of Mines at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 9. The Hardrockers went 8-20 in 2015. The next day, UMC will take on conference foe Sioux Falls, who went 13-16 last season, at 11:30 a.m. They will finish out the tournament at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10 against William Jewell University. William Jewell went 8-23 on the season.

Minnesota Crookston will open up the NSIC season on Sept. 15 at home at Lysaker Gymnasium against University of Minnesota Duluth at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs finished the year ranked No. 10 in the nation.  The match will be the first at home for the 2016 season for the Golden Eagles. UMC will then take on St. Cloud State University at 4 p.m. Sept. 17 in St. Cloud, Minn. The Huskies went 9-19 in 2015.

On Sept. 20, UMC will head to their travel partner to face Bemidji State University for the second time on the season at 7 p.m. in Bemidji, Minn.

The Golden Eagles will then host perennial power Concordia University, St. Paul, an NCAA Tournament Participant who won seven-straight National Championships from 2007-13. The match will be at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium Sept. 23. They will continue their home stand against Minnesota State University-Mankato Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. The Mavericks went 16-13 in 2015.

The Golden Eagles will begin a four-game road stand on Sept. 30. They begin the road stand Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. against Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. The Peacocks went 14-15 in 2015. On Oct. 1, Minnesota Crookston will take on Winona State University at 4 p.m. in Winona, Minn. The Warriors went 20-10 last season.

The next weekend, UMC will trek to Northern State University, who is coming off a great season, going 25-4 overall. The match will take place Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D. The Golden Eagles will then face Minnesota State University Moorhead Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. in Moorhead, Minn. The Dragons went 16-12 last season.

UMC will return home to host University of Mary and Minot State University for homecoming. The Golden Eagles will take on U-Mary at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Marauders went 13-16 last season. They will finish off the weekend against Minot State University at 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Beavers went 3-24 on the 2015 season.

The Golden Eagles will remain at home to take on Bemidji State for the third time on the season Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

UMC will hit the road against Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. against University of Sioux Falls. The Cougars went 13-16 on the 2015 season. They will then take on NCAA Tournament participant Southwest Minnesota State University at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 in Marshall, Minn.

The Golden Eagles will have another four-match home stand beginning Oct. 28. They will face another NCAA Tournament participant in Wayne State College (Neb.) at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The next day, they will battle Augustana University at 4 p.m. The Vikings went 18-11 on the season.

Their last home weekend will feature matches against Upper Iowa and Winona State, their second matches of the season against the two foes. They will face Upper Iowa Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. and will have Senior Day Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. against Winona State University.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up their season Nov. 11 at Concordia-St. Paul at 7 p.m. and Nov. 12 at Minnesota State University at 4 p.m.

Minnesota Crookston will be in their 10^th season under Head Coach Lee Anderson. The Golden Eagles have three seniors with Cashman, Trost and Kali Erickson (Sr., OH, Fargo, N.D.). 

Timberwolves' Towns Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center and 2015-16 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns has been named to the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced earlier today. Towns was a unanimous choice, receiving 130 First Team votes for a total of 260 points.

Towns led all qualified rookies in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounding (10.5 rpg), field goal percentage (.542), double-doubles (51) and minutes (32.0 mpg), and was second in blocks (1.68 bpg) and third in free throw percentage (.811). He was the only rookie, and one of just 18 players, to start all 82 games this season. Among all players, Towns finished eighth in rebounding and shooting percentage, 10th in blocks and second in point/rebound double-doubles.

Towns was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month all six months this season, making him the eighth player since the award’s inception (1981-82 season) to win six consecutive Rookie of the Month honors: Damian Lillard in 2012-13, Blake Griffin in 2010-11, Chris Paul in 2005-06, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James in 2003-04, Tim Duncan in 1997-98 and David Robinson in 1989-90.

The 7-0 forward/center was chosen as the Western Conference Player of the Week for April 4-10, the first Wolves rookie to be honored with such an award. Towns was Minnesota's leading rebounder 63 times and top scorer on 27 occasions; he had 32 games with 20+ points among his 73 double-figure efforts. He sank the game-winning jumper with :01.8 to play April 9 at Portland. Towns posted season highs in rebounds (21) and assists (nine) April 3 vs. Dallas, becoming the NBA's first rookie to collect at least 21 rebounds and nine assists in the same game since Elgin Baylor (Feb. 9, 1959 vs. New York). The 21 rebounds tied Gorgui Dieng's club rookie record, while his 18 defensive boards broke Christian Laettner's franchise rookie mark. Towns led all scorers with 32 points March 18 at Houston, his fourth 30+ scoring effort. He collected 30 points and 15 rebounds Feb. 27 at New Orleans, the first 30/15 outing by a rookie since Blake Griffin in March 2011. Towns won the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on Feb. 13 and played in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 12 as part of All-Star Weekend in Toronto. Towns set Wolves’ season rookie records for points (1503), rebounds (855) and blocks (138).

The voting panel consisted of 130 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

Towns joins Pooh Richardson, Christian Laettner, Isaiah Rider, Stephon Marbury, Wally Szczerbiak, Randy Foye, Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins as Wolves rookies to earn All-Rookie First Team honors.

Below are the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie First and Second Teams:

2015-16 NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM

Player                                               Team                   First (2 pt)        Second (1 Pt)   Total
Karl-Anthony Towns                         Minnesota            130                   -                       260
Kristaps Porzingis                              New York             130                   -                       260
Devin Booker                                     Phoenix               103                   25                     231
Nikola Jokic                                       Denver                 73                    40                     186
Jahlil Okafor                                      Philadelphia           71                    44                     186
                    

2015-16 NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM

Player                                               Team                   First (2 pt)        Second (1 Pt)   Total
Justise Winslow                                  Miami                  44                     63                     151
D’Angelo Russell                                L.A. Lakers           25                     92                     142
Emmanuel Mudiay                              Denver                 35                     70                     140
Myles Turner                                      Indiana                 28                     83                     139
Willie Cauley-Stein                              Sacramento          2                      46                      50

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first-place votes in parentheses):

Frank Kaminsky, Charlotte, 47 (2); Josh Richardson, Miami, 47 (4); Stanley Johnson, Detroit, 42 (1); Trey Lyles, Utah, 26; Bobby Portis, Chicago, 13; T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia, 2 (7); Mario Hezonja, Orlando, 4; Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers, 3; Norman Powell, Toronto, 3; Justin Anderson, Dallas, 2; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn, 2; Boban Marjanovic, San Antonio, 2; Jonathon Simmons, San Antonio, 2; Jerian Grant, New York, 1; Marcelo Huertas, Los Angeles Lakers, 1; Raul Neto, Utah, 1; Cameron Payne, Oklahoma City, 1; Joe Young, Indiana, 1.

State Robotics Tournament

The Robotics programs of the Minnesota State High School League's member schools take center stage on Saturday at Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. Here is a look at the tournament:

The schedule

·  8:30 a.m. --- Opening ceremonies

·  8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. --- Qualification rounds

·  1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. --- Qualification rounds

·  3:15 p.m. --- Playoff rounds

·  Approximately 4:30 p.m. --- Awards ceremony

Participating teams

·  4607 --- Becker; 2503 --- Brainerd; 4778 --- Chanhassen; 4009 --- Duluth Denfeld; 2512 --- Duluth East; 2220 --- Eagan; 3042 --- Eastview, Apple Valley; 2502 --- Eden Prairie; 6175 --- Eden Valley-Watkins; 1816 --- Edina; 5690 --- Esko; 5434 --- Faribault; 2987 --- Farmington; 4539 --- Frazee-Vergas; 5172 --- Greenbush-Middle River; 5232 --- Hermantown; 2052 --- Irondale, New Brighton; 2526 --- Maple Grove; 3082 --- Minnetonka; 2538 --- Morris Area; 3102 --- Nevis; 3276 --- New London-Spicer; 2501 --- North North St. Paul;4624 --- Owatonna; 2530 --- Rochester; 2855 --- St. Paul Como Park;2823 --- St. Paul Highland Park; 3277 --- Thief River Falls; 4656 --- Two Harbors; 2883 --- Warroad.

The competition

·  This season's game is called FIRST STRONGHOLD. In the competition, two Alliances of three robots each are on a mission to break their opponents' fortifications, weaken their tower with boulders and capture the opposing tower.
Robots score points by breaching opponents' defenses and scoring boulders through goals in their opponents' tower.

What to watch
Here are possible storylines to follow during this season's Robotics state tournament:

·  Did you know? 1816 --- Edina and 2052 --- Irondale, New Brighton are the only teams that have qualified in each of the five Robotics state tournaments.

·  Each match consists of two alliances of three teams each; teams may be alliance partners one match, and alliance opponents during a later match.

·  2512 -- Duluth East is the only team from the 2015 winning alliance to return for this season's tournament.

·  All three teams from the 2015 second-place alliance return for this season's competition: 2883 -- Warroad, 2052 -- Irondale, and 2526 -- Maple Grove

·  15 of the 30 State-qualifying teams also competed in the 2016 FIRST World Championships in St. Louis, MO in April. There were more than 600 teams at the World Championship, divided into eight divisions. Irondale was part of the winning alliance of their division.

·  6175 --- Eden Valley-Watkins is the only "rookie" team - a team in its first season - competing in the State Tournament.

·  Each team comes up with unique names for their robots.

·  There were 208 high school robotics teams in Minnesota this season (competing within the FIRST program). The MSHSL partners with FIRST (which stands for "For Recognition and Inspiration of Science and Technology") to present the State Robotics Competition. Founded in 1989 and based in Manchester, NH, FIRST is a not-for-profit public charity designed to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology, and to motivate them to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM fields.

·  For the second year, the Dunwoody Outstanding Engineering & Design Award will recognize teams that exhibit unique engineering and/or design solutions. Dunwoody will be giving out three awards at the 2016 tournament. Each comes with an acrylic trophy and a $500 check for the team to use for materials, training and other costs to compete in future years.

Items to know

·  Results from the competition will be posted on the League's website at www.mshsl.org

·  GrandStadium will be streaming the competition on www.Prep45.com
·  Media credentials are not required for this event.

·  The event is free and open to the public

·  Spectators are welcome and encouraged to go behind the scenes to the team's workshop areas, called the "pits." Each team has a communications sub-committee prepared to answer questions about their robot and team. (For safety purposes, only closed-toe shoes in the pits.)

Lynx Launch New Mobile Fan App

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today launch their official mobile app that delivers an interactive team experience for fans on-the-go.

The app provides quick and easy access to the most up-to-date scores, schedules, news and stats for the Lynx. Interactive features such as box scores and a team calendar allow fans to go deep with player stats, sortable play-by-play and shot tracking, and a view of all recent, current and upcoming games. Users can keep all information in one screen with a view of the team’s Twitter stream and connect directly with the Lynx on social media. Fans can also enable push notifications to get up-to-the-minute alerts on breaking news, start of game, end of quarter and final score.

The Lynx app is a response to digital analytics showing more and more fans are looking for content via mobile devices, including responsive websites and mobile apps. The team has been focused on web in recent years and wanted to also allows fans to follow the team through a professionally developed, clean designed mobile app.

 

Fans can download the free app on all iOS and Android devices.

Timberwolves Secure No. 5 Pick in 2016 NBA Draft

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves stayed in their original draft position and secured the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft in tonight’s Draft Lottery. Wolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick by the Wolves in 2015 and the 2015-16 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year, represented Minnesota at tonight's Draft Lottery held at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. The 2016 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 23.

Originally slated to draft in the fifth position, the Wolves entered tonight's Draft Lottery with a 26.15 percent chance of earning the fifth overall pick. This year will mark the fifth time in team history the Wolves will enter the draft with the fifth overall pick, having previously selected Isaiah Rider in 1993, Kevin Garnett in 1995, Ray Allen in 1996 and Ricky Rubio in 2009.

A number of NBA greats have entered the league as the fifth pick in the draft, highlighted by Charles Barkley (1984), Scottie Pippen (1987), Mitch Richmond (1988), Kevin Garnett (1995), Ray Allen (1996), Vince Carter (1998) and Dwyane Wade (2003). More recently, DeMarcus Cousins was the fifth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

The Wolves do not have a selection in the second round of this year’s NBA Draft.

UMC Head Tennis Coach Resigns

CROOKSTON, Minn. – University of Minnesota Crookston tennis coach Ryan McGuigan has resigned his position after two seasons leading the Golden Eagle program. McGuigan will move to Dayton, Ohio to train under and learn from tennis pro Anirban “Tutu” Baruah.

“We are very thankful for the two seasons Ryan gave us as head coach of the women’s tennis program.” Said Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson. “Ryan was a pleasure to work with and did a good job helping to put our program in a good trajectory heading into the future. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

When McGuigan inherited the team in 2014 he had just two members on the roster. He did a great job of recruiting and building a team the last two years. This season he helped lead senior Catherine Brown (Powell Butte, Ore.) to an All-NSIC Honorable Mention accolade, the honor was the first-ever All-Conference honor for the UMC women’s tennis program.

The Golden Eagles will begin a search for a Head Women’s Tennis Coach immediately. Further details will be posted to goldeneaglesports.com 

Timberwolves' Towns Wins NBA Rookie of the Year Award

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The NBA today announced Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns is the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb trophy as the winner of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Towns becomes just the fifth unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year in the last 32 years, joining Damian Lillard (2012-2013 season), Blake Griffin (2010-11), David Robinson (1989-90) and Ralph Sampson (1983-84).

With today’s announcement, Wolves players have won the award in back-to-back seasons with Andrew Wiggins taking the honor for the 2014-15 season. Minnesota is the first team with back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners since the Buffalo Braves in 1972-73 (Bob McAdoo) and 1973-74 (Ernie DiGregorio).

Towns, 20, received all 130 first-place votes and 650 total points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis finished second with 363 points, and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic was third with 59 points. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

"It’s an honor to be named Rookie of the Year by the media," Towns said. "I owe a lot to our coaches and my teammates for their support throughout the year. I intend to work hard on my craft to improve my game for next season and help our team challenge for a playoff spot."

Towns led all qualified rookies in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounding (10.5 rpg), field goal percentage (.542), double-doubles (51) and minutes (32.0 mpg), and was second in blocks (1.68 bpg) and third in free throw percentage (.811). He was the only rookie, and one of just 18 players, to start all 82 games this season. Among all players, Towns finished eighth in rebounding and shooting percentage, 10th in blocks and second in point/rebound double-doubles.

Towns was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month all six months this season, making him the eighth player since the award’s inception (1981-82 season) to win six consecutive Rookie of the Month honors: Damian Lillard in 2012-13, Blake Griffin in 2010-11, Chris Paul in 2005-06, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James in 2003-04, Tim Duncan in 1997-98 and David Robinson in 1989-90.

The 7-0 forward/center was chosen as the Western Conference Player of the Week for April 4-10, the first Wolves rookie to be honored with such an award. Towns was Minnesota's leading rebounder 63 times and top scorer on 27 occasions; he had 32 games with 20+ points among his 73 double-figure efforts. He sank the game-winning jumper with :01.8 to play April 9 at Portland. Towns posted season highs in rebounds (21) and assists (nine) April 3 vs. Dallas, becoming the NBA's first rookie to collect at least 21 rebounds and nine assists in the same game since Elgin Baylor (Feb. 9, 1959 vs. New York). The 21 rebounds tied Gorgui Dieng's club rookie record, while his 18 defensive boards broke Christian Laettner's franchise rookie mark. Towns led all scorers with 32 points March 18 at Houston, his fourth 30+ scoring effort. He collected 30 points and 15 rebounds Feb. 27 at New Orleans, the first 30/15 outing by a rookie since Blake Griffin in March 2011. Towns won the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on Feb. 13 and played in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 12 as part of All-Star Weekend in Toronto. Towns set Wolves’ season rookie records for points (1503), rebounds (855) and blocks (138).

Towns receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of one of the NBA's founders. Gottlieb coached the Philadelphia Warriors to the NBA’s first championship, in 1946-47.

As part of its support of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Kia Motors America (KMA) will donate a brand new Sorento CUV to the Minnesota Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Towns’ behalf. Kia will present a 2016 Sorento to the charity of choice of each of five 2015-16 year-end award winners as part of the Kia NBA Performance Awards. Following this season, Kia will have donated a total of 43 new vehicles to charitable organizations since its support of the NBA’s prestigious honors began in 2008.

The 2015-16 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award is part of a series of on-court performance awards called the Kia NBA Performance Awards. The series, in its ninth season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man, Kia Most Improved Player and Kia Rookie of the Year. The series also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month and the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month during the regular season. Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and the Kia Optima is the league’s Official Vehicle. For more information, please visit www.kia.com/NBA.

 

2015-16 KIA NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD VOTING RESULTS

Rookie, Team	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota	130	--	--	650
Kristaps Porzingis, New York	--	117	12	363
Niklola Jokic, Denver	--	7	38	59
Devin Booker, Phoenix	--	3	40	49
Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia	--	3	25	34
Justice Winslow, Miami	--	--	7	7
Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver	--	--	4	4
Myles Turner, Indiana	--	--	3	3
D’Angelo Russell, L.A. Lakers	--	--	1	1

NDSU Names Veasley Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State head men’s basketball coach David Richman announced the hiring of Will Veasley as an assistant coach for the Bison on Monday, May 16.

Veasley, the all-time winningest player in Butler history and a starter on the Bulldogs’ 2010 national runner-up team, has served on Illinois State’s coaching staff for the past three seasons. He was ISU’s video coordinator from 2013-15 and director of basketball operations for the 2015-16 season.

“We are fired up with the addition of Will to our Bison Family,” Richman said. “Will is a great fit in terms of his background – coming from programs that, like us, believe that culture, character and integrity are more important than anything. His humble demeanor and workmanlike attitude will help grow our program and allow our student-athletes to maximize their potential in all facets of life.”

As a four-year letterwinner at Butler, Veasley helped his team make four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2010. Veasley and the Bulldogs were the regular-season Horizon League champions for four straight years and won the Horizon League Tournament in 2008 and 2010.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to be joining Coach Richman’s staff here at North Dakota State University,” said Veasley. “Coach Richman prides himself on the culture and family environment they’ve built at NDSU, and that is what makes this a special program. The success NDSU has had is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire athletic department. I am extremely excited to be a part of the family and ready to help the program continue in its successful ways.”

Veasley played professionally for two years in Japan and in the NBA D-League before transitioning into coaching. He also spent one season as the video coordinator at IUPUI.

A Freeport, Ill., native, Veasley earned a degree in digital media production from Butler. He has a two-year-old son, Creighton.

Minnesota Lynx Finalize 2016 Roster

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx have set their final roster at 11 players as they begin their 18th WNBA season on Saturday, May 14 vs. Phoenix at Target Center. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.

This year’s squad returns six players from the 2015 WNBA Championship roster, highlighted by four U.S. Olympians (Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen). The holdovers also feature three-time All-Star forward Rebekkah Brunson and guard Renee Montgomery.

New faces on this year’s team include veterans Natasha Howard and Jia Perkins. The Lynx acquired Howard from Indiana on Feb. 2 in a sign-and-trade deal that sent Devereaux Peters to the Fever. The 6-2 forward comes to the Lynx with career averages of 5.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg. Perkins was acquired from San Antonio on Apr. 14 in exchange for Jazmon Gwathmey, who was selected with the 14th pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. Perkins, a 5-8 guard, averaged 13.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 1.46 spg last season for San Antonio.

Joining Howard and Perkins in their first seasons with the Lynx are rookie forwards Bashaara Graves and Keisha Hampton. Graves, Minnesota's 2nd-round choice (22nd overall) in the 2016 WNBA Draft, is just the fifth Tennessee player to collect 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career. Hampton was chosen by Seattle in the 2nd round (22nd overall) of the 2012 WNBA Draft, but was sidelined that season while rehabilitating an injury to her right knee and was waived by the Storm prior to the 2013 campaign.

Janel McCarville returns to the Lynx this season after missing 2015. McCarville started all 34 games for Minnesota in 2014 and averaged 7.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 27.0 mpg, logging the second-highest minute total (919) of her career. She led all centers in assists (3.1 apg) and ranked 13th in blocks (0.85 bpg).

Minnesota’s coaching staff (Cheryl Reeve, Jim Petersen and Shelley Patterson) returns for its seventh season together, having guided the team to WNBA Championships in 2011, 2013 and 2015 among five consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals.  

2016 MINNESOTA LYNX ROSTER

No	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt.	Birthdate	College/Year	Yrs
33	Seimone Augustus	G	6-0	169	04/30/84	Louisiana State '06	10
32	Rebekkah Brunson	F	6-2	185	12/11/81	Georgetown '04	12
34	Sylvia Fowles	C	6-6	212	10/06/85	Louisiana State '08	8
14	Bashaara Graves	F	6-2	200	03/17/94	Tennessee '16	R
24	Keisha Hampton	F	6-1	171	02/22/90	DePaul '12	R
3	Natasha Howard	F	6-2	171	09/02/91	Florida State '14	2
4	Janel McCarville	C	6-2	218	11/03/82	Minnesota '05	8
21	Renee Montgomery	G	5-7	143	12/02/86	Connecticut '09	7
23	Maya Moore	F	6-0	178	06/11/89	Connecticut '11	5
7	Jia Perkins	G	5-8	168	02/23/82	Texas Tech '04	12
13	Lindsay Whalen	G	5-9	166	05/09/82	Minnesota '04	12

Head Coach:                      Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)Assistant Coaches:            Jim Petersen (Minnesota), Shelley Patterson (Washington State)Athletic Trainers:               Chuck Barta (Wisconsin-La Crosse), Kate Taber (Iowa)