COTTAGE GROVE, MN - APRIL 18: Minnesota Lynx mascot Prowl and the Lynx Basketball Academy surprise children at Crestview Elementary School with a free basketball clinic on April 18, 2017 in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The notice came in from Minnesota Lynx PR Tuesday night: the team would be conducting surprise basketball clinics at local schools to get the good people of Minnesota ready for the WNBA season.
Lindsay Whalen is an inspired choice: an Olympian, easy Hall of Famer when she retires, a coach on the floor.
ST. PAUL, MN – APRIL 17: Lindsay Whalen of the Minnesota Lynx and the Lynx Basketball Academy surprise children at the St. Paul Midway YMCA with a free basketball clinic on April 17, 2017 in St. Paul, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cheryl Reeve is the Pat Summitt of our time, the greatest coach in WNBA history by virtually any measure, an elite communicator.
ST. PAUL, MN – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx talks to her team during the game against the Phoenix Mercury in Game One of the Semifinals during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs on September 28, 2016 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
And then there’s Prowl. The Lynx mascot. Who cannot talk.
COTTAGE GROVE, MN – APRIL 18: Minnesota Lynx mascot Prowl and the Lynx Basketball Academy surprise children at Crestview Elementary School with a free basketball clinic on April 18, 2017 in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
So how exactly were these three admittedly iconic Lynx representatives selected? Even Reeve herself didn’t know.
“As for the decision to go with Lindsay, Cheryl and Prowl it was myself and our manager ,” Lynx Public Relations manager Ashley Carlson said in an email. “We are coming up with ideas to get the St. Paul/East Metro communities excited about the upcoming season in St. Paul since most of our fanbase is in Minneapolis/West Metro and is a good opportunity to generate media attention. Lindsay was here all offseason and agreed to do so many offseason appearances for us and this was her last one and then obviously Cheryl is in market so we asked her as well.”
But precisely how does Prowl conduct a basketball clinic?
COTTAGE GROVE, MN – APRIL 18: Minnesota Lynx mascot Prowl and the Lynx Basketball Academy surprise children at Crestview Elementary School with a free basketball clinic on April 18, 2017 in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Our Timberwolves and Lynx Basketball Academy runs the clinic and Lindsay, Cheryl or Prowl rotate between stations,” Carlson, who it should be noted is a really good sport, replied in a follow-up email.
Asked by The Summitt whether Prowl will play any role on her staff during the upcoming season, Reeve replied enigmatically: “Prowl has shown a unique ability to connect with the players. He has a tremendous gift, in that he has great paws to demonstrate proper ball-handling skills.”
