Pili, the Utah scoring star the Minnesota Lynx took with the eighth pick in the WNBA draft last week, was introduced to her new home Monday.
Alissa Pili is urged by former Minnesota Vikings player and fellow Samoan Esera Tuaolo to join him in a traditional dance during the welcome event for Pili at Target Center on Monday in Minneapolis.
Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan — a member of the White Earth Nation — described the emotions she felt watching TV with her daughter as Pili was drafted by the Lynx. I have your back, Flanagan said, describing herself as Pili’s “auntie” and giving her a gift of beaded earrings. As she said on draft night, Lynx President of Basketball Operations and head coach Cheryl Reeve said the Lynx are getting, in Pili, an undersized post player who can score on the perimeter against bigger defenders and score inside against smaller foes.But, on Monday, Reeve reiterated Pili will have to get better on defense.
One area where Pili fits in right away? Culture. She is one of nine siblings ranging in age from 3 to 25. Family is important. Reeve could see the kind of teammate she’d be when she attended Utah’s practices.“That’s what means the most to me,’’ she said.
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