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Minnesota Lynx sign former Oregon star Jillian Alleyne

By Derek James

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 16: Jillian Alleyne #12 of the Minnesota Lynx poses for a portrait during WNBA media day at Target Center on May 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 16: Jillian Alleyne #12 of the Minnesota Lynx poses for a portrait during WNBA media day at Target Center on May 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Lynx continue forward

The Minnesota Lynx have continued to shuffle their roster. On Tuesday afternoon, the team announced that they signed forward Jillian Alleyne to a seven-day contract. By adding Alleyne, the Lynx hope that she will bring depth to a position that has missed Karima Christmas-Kelly, Seimone Augustus, and Jessica Shepard.

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Alleyne is no stranger to the Lynx. She appeared in three games for the Lynx this past preseason but did not make the final roster. In those three games, she played just 30 minutes and produced a total of seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists. However, there is much more opportunity for her to receive playing time now than there was then. Alleyne and Minnesota are both hoping she’s able to maximize this opportunity.

Where Alleyne came from

Alleyne is a former college basketball star at the University of Oregon. In her four years in a Ducks uniform, she became the 10th player in Division I history to post 2,000 points and 1,500 rebounds. She also finished with the second-most double-doubles and third-most rebounds in Division I history. Despite her decorated career, she tore her ACL in February of her senior season.

This led to her selection as the 20th-overall pick by Phoenix in the 2016 draft. Since then, Alleyne has bounced between training camps with the Lynx and Mercury, but not yet seen action in a WNBA game.

Last winter, Alleyne played ball in Israel where she averaged 18.7 points and 15.4 rebounds per game. Just like her time at Oregon, Alleyne was reasonably efficient, shooting in the low-to-mid 50s. If one thing is clear about Alleyne, is that she can rebound no matter which continent or hemisphere she is playing in.

How does she fit?

While Alleyne can play both forward and center, it’s not likely that she’ll have to with the recent return of backup center Temi Fagbenle. It’s more likely that she’ll solidify their depth at the power forward during her week with the team. The Lynx do have the need for another efficient scorer who can also help Sylvia on the glass.

What is interesting is what this means for forward Cecilia Zandalasini, who has been absent playing in FIFA’s EuroBasket tournament. Zandalasini was set to return in mid-July and the Lynx waived Alaina Coates to make room for her. The team was unable to move forward because an ankle injury caused Zandalasini to fail her physical, which led Cheryl Reeve to estimate that she was another seven to 10 days away.

Now that it’s the end of the July, it seems that Alleyne could be a placeholder for Zandalasini, whose shooting they desperately need. Signing Alleyne still makes sense because the team is familiar with her and also gives Alleyne the opportunity to show the league what she can bring on the floor.

It’s hard not to look at this move, though, and feel that Alleyne is here until Zandalasini returns. While the team can use Alleyne’s scoring and rebounding abilities, Zandalasini’s ability to stretch the floor fills an even more pressing need.

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