Lin Dunn & Cheryl Reeve form first All-Star game female head coach duo

When the Fever’s Lin Dunn and the Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve met in the WNBA Finals last season, it was the first time two woman coaches squared off for the championship. As per league rules, the coaches of the teams to win their respective conference titles during the previous season coach the All-Star game. It will be the first time the WNBA All-Star game has two female coaches.

West All-Star coach Cheryl Reeve has the Minnesota Lynx rolling. They are on top of the Western division with four members on the West All-Star team including three in the starting lineup (Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore voted in, Rebekkah Brunson replacing Brittney Griner, plus Lindsay Whalen as a reserve).

“It’s a thrill and I am really happy to be here with four players from our team,” Reeve said. “It’s a really neat thing. We’ve known for a long time – since we were in the Finals – that we were going to be the coaches in the All-Star Game, but actually being here, collectively, with this group, not just our four players, but all of the All-Stars from around the league and this really impressive group from the West (is great).”

Dunn’s Indiana Fever has been decimated by injuries, but are starting to get some players back, and find themselves up to third place after a slow start. Tamika Catchings and Shavonte Zellous are here from the Fever.

Dunn explained that “thrill” is not a strong enough word to describe her feelings about being here.

“It’s not just a thrill, it’s an honor,” she explained. “It’s an honor. Anytime you can interact and be around the very best players in the world – it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I cherish every minute of it. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”