MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minnesota Lynx great Katie Smith was introduced as an assistant coach on Tuesday.
The Lynx brought back the franchise’s third-leading all-time scorer and Hall of Famer player to join head coach Cheryl Reeve’s staff.
“I want to coach, I thought this was the best opportunity for me professionally,” said Smith. “I hope to bring something to the table to add to this great group already.”
Smith spent the past two seasons as head coach of the New York Liberty. When her contract was not renewed, Reeve called her up and told her she had a home in Minnesota.
“It was because she’s good,” said Reeve. “Not because I feel bad for her, not because she played in Minnesota but because I think she’s good.”
Smith played for the Lynx from 1999-2005 before being traded to the Detroit Shock, where she won two WNBA championships in 2006 and 2008. Smith joined the New York Liberty as an assistant coach in 2013 and was elevated to head coach for the 2018-19 seasons.