Cheryl Reeve has held various roles within the WNBA for nearly 18 years.
From being an assistant coach with the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock from 2001 to 2009 to grabbing her first head coaching job with the Minnesota Lynx in 2010, Reeve has experienced just about everything in her tenure in the league.
This offseason, however, has been unlike any other for Reeve in her time in Minnesota. It’s been one filled with adjustments and an expanded role.
Earlier this offseason, the Lynx announced that the organization had promoted Reeve to general manager to go along with her head coaching duties.
“It has been a little bit of a busier offseason,” Reeve told Zone Coverage. “My preparation has always been the same, ever since I got into the league. … It’s been pretty time-consuming.”
Although Reeve has been able to be a large part in a bulk of the franchise’s basketball decisions even prior to being officially tagged with the general manager title this offseason, she has now officially become the latest person to hold both positions for a franchise, which is becoming a league-wide trend.
“I’ve always been a scouter of talent. Collegiate scouting, gearing up for the free agent period, that’s something I’ve always done,” Reeve said. “It’s just a little different when you hold a title in terms of the vetting process of going through decisions and possibilities, as well as having good communication with someone like (Lynx owner) Glen (Taylor) and utilizing (former Lynx GM) Roger (Griffith) and having meetings with our staff.”
Another adjustment Reeve has had to deal with this year is the departure of Griffith, the previous Lynx general manager who was serving as the Timberwolves and Lynx Chief Financial Officer until early March, when he announced his resignation.
Reeve had worked closely with Griffith ever since she first arrived in Minnesota. The two worked together to build everything we see today with the Lynx dynasty.
“For me, it’s been about just diving in, to making sure our thought processes are well thought out. I try to think outside of the box sometimes and plan ahead. There’s a lot of time that goes into that,” Reeve said. “I’ve also done some cross-training, if you will, meaning other disciplines and other sports, just talking about a selection and development of personnel. Just how to go about that and how to get it right.”
This offseason has been a little different from Reeve’s previous 17 in the WNBA, but Reeve embraces the adjustments this offseason has presented thus far.
From getting promoted to general manager to having to retool nearly half of the Lynx roster from 2017’s championship team, it’s been a busy offseason for Reeve. And she will continue to use her dual roles to try and make Minnesota better heading into the 2018 season, which kicks off in May.
“I am ready for the draft and once you get to the draft, you’re only two weeks away (from training camp). Then I’m immersed in X’s and O’s and training camp plans,” Reeve said. “Maybe I could use a couple of more weeks, but I’m pretty darn close to saying let’s get this thing going.”
Be sure to check back here at Zone Coverage this week for parts two and three of our Lynx offseason series.
