Petersen to Return as Lynx Assistant Coach
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MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced that Jim Petersen will return to the team in 2010 as assistant coach. The St. Louis Park, Minn. native will team with head coach Cheryl Reeve to form Minnesota's coaching staff. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
The 2010 season will be Petersen's second behind the bench with the Lynx after originally joining then-head coach Don Zierden's staff back on November 18, 2008. With the Lynx, Petersen is responsible for the team's scouting efforts, talent evaluation, and player development with a focus on the post players. In 2009, Petersen was instrumental in the development of second-year post players Nicky Anosike and Charde Houston, whom both made it to their first All-Star Games in 2009.
"I am really looking forward to working with Jim Petersen," said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. "Over the last 2 years - as a broadcaster in 2008, and as an assistant coach in 2009 - Jim has demonstrated great passion for the Lynx along with a strong understanding of our players and the WNBA as a whole. His years of experience in the NBA as a player and a TV analyst will be invaluable to the organization."
"I am incredibly honored and excited to return as assistant basketball coach for the Minnesota Lynx," said Petersen. "I am especially grateful to owner Glen Taylor and Roger Griffith who gave me a chance to join Don Zierden's staff last season, and to stay on again this season with head coach Cheryl Reeve. Cheryl and I had a number of conversations last season as opposing coaches and became fast friends. I have the greatest respect for her work ethic, intelligence and understanding of the game of basketball and I will do whatever it takes to support her and our players' quest for a championship in 2010. Cheryl is a fantastic communicator who has impressed everyone in our organization with her approachability, candor and toughness. She is a flat-out winner and I look forward to learning from her. The WNBA is very important to me and I want to see this league flourish and see these women get the respect they deserve as world class athletes. I can't wait to begin what is lining up to be a magical season for the Lynx."
In addition to his responsibilities with the Lynx, Petersen currently serves as the Minnesota Timberwolves' television analyst, teaming up with Tom Hanneman on KSTC.TV Ch. 45 and FSN broadcasts. Petersen has been a part of the Wolves' broadcast team for the past 12 seasons.
Petersen spent eight years in the NBA (1984-92) with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, finishing with career averages of 6.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 491 games, 208 starts.
A standout at St. Louis Park High School, Petersen won the Minnesota Mr. Basketball award as a high school senior in 1980 and was the first McDonald's All-American from Minnesota. Prior to his NBA playing and broadcasting careers, Petersen played four seasons for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, winning the Big Ten Championship in 1982.
The Minnesota Lynx will tip off the team's 12th season of basketball in the Twin Cities with their Home Opener on Sunday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. against the Washington Mystics. Lower-level tickets are available for as little as $10 a game for the 17-game home season and can be purchased by calling 612-673-8400, e-mailing tickets@lynxbasketball.com, or visiting the Lynx website at www.lynxbasketball.com.
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