University of Minnesota Athletics
Whalen Honored as Part of WNBA's "The W25"
9/5/2021 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS – Three years since her last game, Lindsay Whalen has added another honor to her renowned professional career.
In honor of the WNBA's 25th season, Whalen was named to "The W25" Sunday, cementing her status as one of the 25 greatest players in league history. In addition, she is now eligible for The GOAT, a fan vote to determine the greatest player in league history. Fans can vote on WNBA.com, through the WNBA App or on Twitter with the player's name and the hashtag #WNBAGoatVote.
Selected fourth overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, Whalen played six seasons with the Sun before returning to her home state and spending the final nine years with the Minnesota Lynx. Both the Lynx and Sun have since retired her No. 13 jersey.
While with the Sun, Whalen earned the first of five All-Star trips in 2006 and was named All-WNBA First Team in 2008 as she led the league in assists. Not only did the Sun reach the playoffs in 2004 and 2005, Whalen helped lead them to the WNBA Finals where they finished as the league's runner-up in both seasons.
Prior to the 2010 campaign, Whalen was traded to the Lynx where she went on to win four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). She was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2011 and 2013, while earning Second Team honors in 2012 and 2014. Whalen earned her second All Star appearance in 2011 and then made it three straight seasons from 2013-15.
A member of the WNBA's Top 20@20 in 2016, Whalen finished her career as the winningest player in league annals, having been a part of more than 300 victories in her career. Whalen also finished third in WNBA history in assists, leading the league in three separate seasons, and she ended her career in the top-20 in career points and steals.
At the University of Minnesota, Whalen was the first three-time All-American in program history, a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. After a Sweet Sixteen appearance her junior season (2002-03), Whalen led the Gophers to their only Final Four in program history in 2004.
According to the WNBA, the selection for "The W25" began with a list of nearly 75 nominees selected based on factors such as on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship and community service, and contributions to team success and the overall growth of women's basketball. From there, a select panel composed of media members and women's basketball pioneers and advocates cast their votes to determine "The W25," which was unveiled Sunday during the ABC broadcast of the Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky game.
The nominees must have been a member of a WNBA team for at least two seasons and met four of the following seven criteria: been the winner of a major individual award; a selection to either the All-WNBA First Team or All-WNBA Second Team; a selection to either the WNBA All-Defensive First Team or WNBA All-Defensive Second Team; a selection to the WNBA All-Star Game; a member of a WNBA Championship team; a current ranking among the top 40 career leaders in at least one major statistical category; and/or a recipient of the WNBA's season-long Community Assist Award.
In honor of the WNBA's 25th season, Whalen was named to "The W25" Sunday, cementing her status as one of the 25 greatest players in league history. In addition, she is now eligible for The GOAT, a fan vote to determine the greatest player in league history. Fans can vote on WNBA.com, through the WNBA App or on Twitter with the player's name and the hashtag #WNBAGoatVote.
Selected fourth overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, Whalen played six seasons with the Sun before returning to her home state and spending the final nine years with the Minnesota Lynx. Both the Lynx and Sun have since retired her No. 13 jersey.
While with the Sun, Whalen earned the first of five All-Star trips in 2006 and was named All-WNBA First Team in 2008 as she led the league in assists. Not only did the Sun reach the playoffs in 2004 and 2005, Whalen helped lead them to the WNBA Finals where they finished as the league's runner-up in both seasons.
Prior to the 2010 campaign, Whalen was traded to the Lynx where she went on to win four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). She was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2011 and 2013, while earning Second Team honors in 2012 and 2014. Whalen earned her second All Star appearance in 2011 and then made it three straight seasons from 2013-15.
A member of the WNBA's Top 20@20 in 2016, Whalen finished her career as the winningest player in league annals, having been a part of more than 300 victories in her career. Whalen also finished third in WNBA history in assists, leading the league in three separate seasons, and she ended her career in the top-20 in career points and steals.
At the University of Minnesota, Whalen was the first three-time All-American in program history, a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. After a Sweet Sixteen appearance her junior season (2002-03), Whalen led the Gophers to their only Final Four in program history in 2004.
According to the WNBA, the selection for "The W25" began with a list of nearly 75 nominees selected based on factors such as on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship and community service, and contributions to team success and the overall growth of women's basketball. From there, a select panel composed of media members and women's basketball pioneers and advocates cast their votes to determine "The W25," which was unveiled Sunday during the ABC broadcast of the Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky game.
The nominees must have been a member of a WNBA team for at least two seasons and met four of the following seven criteria: been the winner of a major individual award; a selection to either the All-WNBA First Team or All-WNBA Second Team; a selection to either the WNBA All-Defensive First Team or WNBA All-Defensive Second Team; a selection to the WNBA All-Star Game; a member of a WNBA Championship team; a current ranking among the top 40 career leaders in at least one major statistical category; and/or a recipient of the WNBA's season-long Community Assist Award.
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