Rebekkah Brunson

Last updated

Rebekkah Brunson
Rebekkah Brunson in 2018.jpg
Brunson in 2018
Minnesota Lynx
PositionAssistant coach
League WNBA
Personal information
Born (1981-12-11) December 11, 1981 (age 42)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school Oxon Hill (Oxon Hill, Maryland)
College Georgetown (2000–2004)
WNBA draft 2004: 1st round, 10th overall pick
Selected by the Sacramento Monarchs
Playing career2004–2018
Coaching career2020–present
Career history
As player:
2004–2009 Sacramento Monarchs
2004–2006Dexia Namur
2006–2007 Dynamo Moscow
2007–2010 Taranto Cras Basket
2010–2011 Ros Casares Valencia
2011–2012 Nadezhda Orenburg
2012–2013 USK Praha
2013–2016 Dynamo Kursk
2010–2018 Minnesota Lynx
As coach:
2020–present Minnesota Lynx (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Stats at WNBA.com
Medals
Representing the USA
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2003 Santo Domingo Team

Rebekkah Brunson (born December 11, 1981) is an American basketball coach and broadcast analyst. She is currently an assistant coach with the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). [1] Brunson is a former forward for the Lynx and is the only player to win five WNBA championships. She held the WNBA record for rebounding, [2] which she ceded to Lynx center Sylvia Fowles in 2020. [3]

Contents

Brunson was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Oxon Hill High School in Maryland. Brunson graduated from Georgetown University in 2004 as its women's basketball program's all-time leading rebounder. She also played on the U.S. team in the 2003 Pan American Games. [4]

College statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2000–01 Georgetown 32474 .509 – .563 9.2 0.7 1.8 0.9 14.8
2001–02 Georgetown 18 272 .481 .083 .6708.5 0.6 1.9 1.1 15.1
2002–03 Georgetown 29 481 .463 .438.67010.7 1.52.01.8 16.6
2003–04 Georgetown 28 535.485.182 .608 12.01.3 1.7 1.8 19.1
Career 107 1,762 .485 .256 .625 10.2 1.1 1.9 1.4 16.5

Source [5]

WNBA career

Brunson in 2006 Rebekkah Brunson.jpg
Brunson in 2006

The Sacramento Monarchs chose Brunson in the 1st round of the 2004 WNBA draft as the tenth overall pick. She played in Sacramento for six seasons and contributed to the Monarchs' 2005 WNBA Championship victory. She led the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.9) and total offensive rebounds (130) for the 2007 regular season.

After the Monarchs suspended operations in the fall of 2009, the Minnesota Lynx acquired Brunson in a dispersal draft. In 2011, Brunson tied a WNBA record with six consecutive double-doubles, and was named WNBA Player of the Month for June, the first member of the Lynx to be so honored. [6] She was later named to the 2011 WNBA All-Star game, and started in place of an injured Candace Parker. [7]

Nneka Ogwumike guards Brunson in 2016 Brunson 20161009.jpg
Nneka Ogwumike guards Brunson in 2016

Brunson led the Lynx in field goal percentage and rebounds in a year where the team had the best record in the WNBA. She was honored with her first appearance on the WNBA All-Defensive First Team; she had earned second-team honors three previous times. The Lynx would go on to win the 2011 WNBA Championship.

Brunson won her third league title in 2013. Brunson again made the All-Star Game, starting in place of the injured Brittney Griner. Brunson set the career mark for rebounds in the Finals, with 130, breaking the record held by former teammate Taj McWilliams-Franklin. She also broke McWilliams-Franklin's record for Finals games played, with 19. [8]

Brunson evading Krystal Thomas and Elena Delle Donne in the 2017 WNBA playoffs Brunson et al-20170914.jpg
Brunson evading Krystal Thomas and Elena Delle Donne in the 2017 WNBA playoffs

In 2015, Brunson would win her fourth WNBA championship with the Lynx as they defeated the Indiana Fever in five games.

Following a finals loss in 2016 to the Los Angeles Sparks, Brunson would be selected into the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, replacing an injured Brittney Griner, making it her fourth career all-star game appearance. As of 2017, Brunson also became the all-time league leader in career offensive rebounds.

Brunson after setting all-time rebound record in 2018 Rebekkah Brunson acknowledges the crowd at Target Center after setting the WNBA record for rebounds.jpg
Brunson after setting all-time rebound record in 2018

Later on in the 2017 season, Brunson became the first player in league history to win 5 WNBA championships, as the Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in five games, avenging the previous year's Finals loss.

In 2018, Brunson passed Tamika Catchings, who had 3,317 career rebounds, to become the league's all-time rebounding leader. [9] She was also announced as an all-star replacement for Nneka Ogwumike in the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her fifth all-star appearance. [10] Brunson however missed the playoffs due to injury. The Lynx finished 18–16 with the number 7 seed and lost in the first round elimination game to the Los Angeles Sparks, ending their streak of three consecutive finals appearances.

Brunson officially retired in February 2020, when she was hired as assistant coach of the Lynx. [11] The Lynx retired her jersey on July 3, 2022. [12] In 2023, Brunson was named to the Lynx All-25 Team as one of the best 25 players in the team's history. [13]

Overseas career

During WNBA offseasons, Brunson has played for Taranto, an Italian professional basketball team, for the Dynamo team based in Russia, and Dexia Namur, a professional club in Belgium, and for Nadezhda team based in Orenburg, Russia. She then played for USK Prague, with which she won the Czech League title (4–2 vs BK Brno) and reached the Women's Euroleague Top 16. She played with Dynamo Kursk, along with Lynx teammate Seimone Augustus from 2013 to 2016. [14]

USA Basketball

Brunson was named to the team representing the US at the 2003 Pan American Games. [4] The team lost the opening game to Cuba, then rebounded to win their next five games, including an overtime win against Brazil. They then faced Cuba for the gold medal, falling short 75–64 to take home the silver medal. Brunson shot 57% from the field, and ended up as the leading scorer as well as the leading rebounder for the USA team. [15]

Brunson was one of 21 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster. The 20 professional women's basketball players, plus one collegiate player (Brittney Griner), were selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee to compete for the final roster which will represent the US at the 2012 Olympics in London. [16]

Broadcasting

Brunson made her broadcasting debut in a January 2019 game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics. [17] She has continued as an analyst in addition to her coaching work. In the 2023-24 Timberwolves season, Brunson has joined Kevin Lynch and Marney Gellner in providing analysis after regular season games on the Wolves Live broadcast. [18]

Personal life

Brunson established and manages the 32 Foundation (named for her jersey number), which sponsors academic and athletic opportunities for youth in the metropolitan DC area. [19] Rebekkah Brunson and wife Bobbi Jo Lamar Brunson welcomed their son Graham Matteo Lamar Brunson to the world on Sept. 29th, 2018. [20] The two had a second son in November 2023. [21] Brunson and her wife own and operate Sweet TrooVī. Sweet Troo Vi started as Belgian waffle food truck inspired by Brunson's time playing professional basketball in Belgium and has since evolved into a mission-driven company offering authentic Liege waffles and gourmet plant-based cookies distributed at both local and national levels. [22]

WNBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold Career best°League leader
†Denotes seasons in which Brunson won a WNBA championship

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2004 Sacramento 34114.5.421.000.7173.60.60.60.30.84.4
2005 † Sacramento 341621.2.427.000.5985.50.50.80.41.27.8
2006 Sacramento 341717.7.461.000.5875.60.50.60.41.16.8
2007 Sacramento 332928.2.473.000.6868.90.71.30.91.711.5
2008 Sacramento 303026.0.500.000.6717.10.41.20.61.710.9
2009 Sacramento 271724.6.486.000.7837.00.31.40.51.612.3
2010 Minnesota 303030.5.429.000.66310.30.81.20.91.611.3
2011 † Minnesota 343427.6.511.000.6678.91.20.80.51.510.2
2012 Minnesota 313127.0.505.000.6798.91.21.10.91.211.4
2013 † Minnesota 333329.2.4971.000.6368.91.51.20.81.110.6
2014 Minnesota 111127.5.395.000.7148.21.50.20.70.97.2
2015 † Minnesota 343427.8.457.000.8318.11.81.10.71.57.8
2016 Minnesota 333324.6.477.000.8577.31.80.90.20.87.4
2017 † Minnesota 303026.9.449.348.7116.71.51.10.41.610.2
2018 Minnesota 252527.7.405.375.6736.82.40.80.51.47.2
Career15 years, 2 teams45336825.2.466.341.6927.41.11.00.61.49.2

Postseason

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2004 Sacramento 6013.3.350.000.7142.80.50.30.60.53.2
2005 † Sacramento 8834.3.446.000.4555.51.30.60.51.16.9
2006 Sacramento 9017.1.333.000.6433.60.60.30.61.06.0
2007 Sacramento 3329.3.613.000.7006.30.31.01.60.615.0
2011 † Minnesota 8830.6.473.000.78110.81.50.80.61.611.9
2012 Minnesota 9933.7.489.000.7929.71.20.71.42.111.9
2013 † Minnesota 7732.5.509.000.69210.12.30.70.81.710.6
2014 Minnesota 5529.0.417.0001.0007.01.41.40.60.86.8
2015 † Minnesota 101029.5.435.000.6507.21.71.20.51.25.3
2016 Minnesota 8829.2.473.000.7926.52.51.20.61.58.9
2017 † Minnesota 8827.9.361.111.7936.01.61.10.51.39.5
Career11 years, 2 teams816627.0.447.091.7267.01.40.90.71.38.4

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Mercury</span> American professional basketball team

The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). One of eight original franchises, it was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Lynx</span> Womens basketball team

The Minnesota Lynx are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team won the WNBA title in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsay Whalen</span> American basketball player and coach

Lindsay Marie Whalen is a former professional basketball player and coach. She most recently served as the head coach at Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candace Parker</span> American basketball player

Candace Nicole Parker nicknamed "Ace", is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, she was selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. She spent 13 seasons on the Sparks, two seasons with the Chicago Sky, and as of 2023 has spent one season with the Las Vegas Aces, winning a championship with each team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seimone Augustus</span> American basketball player

Seimone Delicia Augustus is an American former professional basketball player who is one of the most recognizable faces in the WNBA. After retiring as a player in 2020, she was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for two seasons. She was drafted first overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2006 draft; and played for the Lynx for most of her WNBA career except for her final season in 2020 with the Los Angeles Sparks. An eight-time All-Star and the 2011 finals MVP, Augustus led the Lynx to four WNBA championships. She also won three gold medals in the Olympics on the U.S. national team.

Jennifer "Grandmama" Gillom is an American former Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) basketball player who played for the Phoenix Mercury from 1997 to 2002, before finishing her playing career with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2003. Gillom is also a former Sparks head coach, also coached the Minnesota Lynx, and was, until 2015, an assistant coach of the Connecticut Sun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvia Fowles</span> American basketball player

Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles is an American former professional basketball player. Fowles played for the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx during her WNBA career. She won the WNBA MVP Award in 2017 and the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times. She led the Lynx to win the WNBA Championship in 2015 and 2017, and she was named the MVP of the WNBA Finals both times. In 2020, Fowles overtook Rebekkah Brunson to become the WNBA's career leader in rebounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maya Moore</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Maya April Moore is an American social justice advocate and former professional basketball player. Naming her their inaugural Performer of the Year in 2017, Sports Illustrated called Moore the "greatest winner in the history of women's basketball". Moore was selected for the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nneka Ogwumike</span> American basketball player

Nnemkadi Chinwe Victoria "Nneka" Ogwumike is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), after being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2012 WNBA draft. Soon after being drafted, Ogwumike signed an endorsement deal with Nike. She is the older sister of Chiney Ogwumike, who most recently played for the Sparks. Ogwumike was named WNBA MVP for the 2016 WNBA season and won the WNBA Finals the same year She was named to The W25 the league's list of the top 25 players of its first 25 years, in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brittney Griner</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Brittney Yevette Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star. She was additionally named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.

The 2011 WNBA season is the 13th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The Lynx qualified for the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since 2004 and won their first Western Conference championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 WNBA Finals</span>

The 2011 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2011 season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Minnesota Lynx, champions of the Western Conference, swept the champions of the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Dream in three games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damiris Dantas</span> Brazilian basketball player

Damiris Dantas do Amaral is a Brazilian basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odyssey Sims</span> American basketball player

Odyssey Celeste Sims is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. An AP and WBCA All-American, Sims was born in Irving, Texas and graduated from MacArthur High School.

The 2013 WNBA season was the 15th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The Lynx won their second WNBA Championship in three years, and led the league in wins for the third straight season.

The 2013 WNBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game that was played on July 27, 2013, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, the current home of the Connecticut Sun. This was the 11th edition of the WNBA All-Star Game, and was played during the 2013 WNBA season. This was the third time the event had been held in Connecticut, the others being the 2005 and 2009 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Howard</span> American basketball player

Natasha Howard is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Fenerbahçe of the Women's Basketball Super League EuroLeague Women. Howard was the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She was drafted in 2014 by the Indiana Fever. Born in Toledo, Ohio, she played college basketball for Florida State University, where she finished sixth in the NCAA for field goal percentage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 WNBA All-Star Game</span>

The 2017 WNBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on July 22, 2017. The Seattle Storm hosted a WNBA All-Star Game for the first time.

The 2017 WNBA season of the Minnesota Lynx is their 19th season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Lynx finished the 2016 season with a record of 28–6, finishing first in the Western Conference and qualifying for the playoffs, before ultimately beating Los Angeles in the WNBA Finals to win their league-tying best fourth championship.

The 2018 WNBA season of the Minnesota Lynx was their 20th season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Lynx finished the 2017 season with a record of 27–7, finishing first in the Western Conference and qualifying for the playoffs, before ultimately beating Los Angeles in the WNBA Finals to win their league-tying best fourth championship.

References

  1. ↑ "Minnesota Lynx Hire Five-Time WNBA Champion Rebekkah Brunson as Assistant Coach". Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  2. ↑ Andrews, Julian (July 5, 2018). "Rebekkah Brunson Becomes WNBA's All-Time Leading Rebounder". NBA Media Ventures. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  3. ↑ Young, Ryan (July 29, 2020). "Sylvia Fowles becomes WNBA all-time rebounding leader". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "FOURTEENTH PAN AMERICAN GAMES - 2003". USA basketball. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Women's Basketball Player stats". NCAA. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  6. ↑ Brunson Is 1st Lynx Player To Win Player Of Month. Minnesota.cbslocal.com (July 6, 2011). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  7. ↑ Minnesota's Rebekkah Brunson Selected to Start for Western Conference in 2011 WNBA All-Star Game presented by adidas. Wnba.com. Retrieved on May 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ WNBA Finals: Game 3 Recap. Startribune.com (October 11, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  9. ↑ "Rebekkah Brunson Career in Photos". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Sparks' Ogwumike out, Lynx's Brunson in ASG". ESPN.com. July 25, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Minnesota Lynx Hire Five-Time WNBA Champion Rebekkah Brunson as Assistant Coach" (Press release). NBA Ventures. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Schad, Chris (July 3, 2022). "Lynx retire Brunson's jersey, crush Aces". Sports Illustrated Minnesota Sports, News, Analysis, and More. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Minnesota Lynx Unveil Final Group of the All-25 Team". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ Lynx’s winter jobs. Startribune.com (October 14, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  15. ↑ "Fourteenth Pan American Games – 2003". USA Basketball. February 20, 2014. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Twenty-One Finalists In The Mix For Final 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster". USA Basketball. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Rebekkah Brunson To Make Broadcast Debut". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Timberwolves and Bally Sports North Announce 2023-24 Broadcast Schedule". www.nba.com. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  19. ↑ Rebekkah Brunson. wnba.com
  20. ↑ Zeigler, Cyd (October 18, 2018). "WNBA star Rebekkah Brunson and her wife give birth to baby Graham". Outsports. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  21. ↑ Brunson, Rebekkah (November 16, 2023). "Post from Nov 16, 2023". @rebekkahbrunson on Instagram. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson balancing life's many demands". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.