UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Two Minnesota Lynx players are heading east to join the Connecticut Sun.
The Lynx announced Thursday that guard Rachel Banham was leaving the team with a social media post thanking her for her time on the team. The Sun posted a short time later to announce her arrival in Connecticut.
Banham, a former University of Minnesota Gophers star, played four seasons with the Lynx, after previously playing four seasons with Connecticut at the start of her professional career.
"I'm just so grateful I got to represent my home state and all the people I love," Banham told KARE 11's Jana Shortal. "The fans brought me so much joy. I'll miss everyone so much. But I'll always be a Minnesota gal and be near."
Meanwhile, the Sun acquired Tiffany Mitchell and the 19th pick in the WNBA draft from the Minnesota Lynx for guard Natisha Hiedeman on Wednesday.
Connecticut now has the 10th, 19th, 22nd and 34th picks in this year's draft.
“It’s never easy to part ways with someone that has been a part of your organization for as long as Natisha,” Sun general manager Darius Taylor said. “We would like to thank her for her dedication and contributions on the court and in the community. We wish her success with her new organization.”
Mitchell was drafted ninth in 2016 by the Indiana Fever before playing in Minnesota last year. She averaged 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season.
“I was in Indiana when we drafted Tiff and it’s been fun to watch her career unfold,” Connecticut coach Stephanie White said. “I’m excited to be on the same sideline with her again. She’s a competitor and fits the grit and toughness that permeates our franchise.”
Hiedeman played 150 games for the Sun, averaging 7.4 points and 2.4 assists. She was originally selected by the Lynx in 2019 with the 18th pick before getting traded to Connecticut on draft night.
“I want to thank Natisha for everything she has done for this organization and for our team,” White said. “T is a joy to coach and will impact every team she’s a part of. We wish her the best.”
The Lynx also announced forward Jessica Shepard would miss the season to fulfill her commitments with her Italian team, Umana Reyer Venezia. The WNBA's new prioritization rules require a player to be in training camp or else they can't play in the season.
Shepard averaged 10.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season in 21 games.
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