March 2, 2006

Read Roger Griffith's post in the Lynx Blog about this transaction.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has matched the Sacramento Monarchs’ offer sheet to restricted free-agent guard Tynesha Lewis. The Lynx had 10 days to match the offer (per WNBA rules), which was originally signed by Lewis on Feb. 28. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Lewis, a five-year WNBA veteran from North Carolina State University, was signed by Minnesota for the remainder of the 2005 season on July 24 after a pair of seven-day contracts. She played in 11 games for the Lynx, averaging 2.5 points and 8.2 minutes. Her best season in the WNBA came during the 2004 campaign with the Charlotte Sting, when she averaged 7.2 points (.433 FG%, .400 3-PT%, .759 FT%), 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 18.1 minutes per game.

“We really like Tynesha’s quickness, athleticism and intensity,” said Roger Griffith, Chief Operating Officer for the Lynx. “We are excited to see how she will contribute after participating in a full training camp.”

The Lynx opened the 2006 free agent period by signing forward Adrian Williams. A five-year veteran of the WNBA, Williams compiled her best season in the league during the 2003 campaign, when she averaged 9.8 points, (.402 FG%, .612 FT%) 7.4 rebounds and 29.0 minutes in 34 games (33 starts) for the Phoenix Mercury, earning a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team.

Minnesota won the fifth annual WNBA Draft Lottery in October, earning the first pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The team also holds the seventh overall pick in the WNBA draft, which is slated for April 5 in Boston.