Lynx select Rogers native Hannah Sjerven in WNBA Draft
The Minnesota Lynx stayed local during the WNBA Draft on Monday night, selecting Rogers native Hannah Sjerven with the 28th overall pick.
Sjerven was a star for the South Dakota Coyotes during their run in the NCAA Tournament. During their run to the Sweet 16, Sjerven averaged 17.1 points per game and was a first-team All-Summit League selection and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.
The selection capped off a quiet night for the Lynx, who traded the eighth and 13th overall picks to the Las Vegas Aces this past weekend. When Minnesota was finally on the clock, they selected North Carolina State forward Kayla Jones with the 22nd overall pick.
Jones was a first-team All-ACC selection during the 2020-21 season, where she averaged 11.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 23 games. While her numbers slipped to 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 35 games this past season, she still made the All-ACC second team while leading the Wolfpack to the Elite 8.
The draft started off as expected with Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard selected by the Atlanta Dream with the first overall pick. The Indiana Fever selected Baylor forward NaLyssa Smith with the second overall pick while the Washington Mystics selected Ole Miss center Shakira Austin at third overall.