Reuniting WNBA All-Star Captains: Cheryl Reeve and Napheesa Collier

Cheryl Reeve (born September 20, 1966) is a prominent American basketball coach and executive, currently serving as the head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She has established herself as one of the most successful coaches in WNBA history, leading the Lynx to four league championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and holding the record for the most career wins as a WNBA coach, including both regular season and postseason victories. Reeve has been honored as WNBA Coach of the Year four times (2011, 2016, 2020, and 2024) and WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year twice (2019 and 2024), making her the first coach in league history to receive Coach of the Year honors four times[1]. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Washington Township, New Jersey, Reeve was a standout collegiate player at La Salle University, earning multiple academic and athletic honors including a Rhodes Scholar nomination and NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and an MBA from La Salle[1][3]. Before taking over the Lynx as head coach in 2010, Reeve gained extensive coaching experience as an assistant in the WNBA with the Detroit Shock, Charlotte Sting, and Cleveland Rockers, and at the collegiate level including a head coaching tenure at Indiana State University[4][6]. She also serves as head coach of the USA Women’s National Basketball Team since 2021, having previously been an assistant coach for the national team since 2014. Under her leadership, the USA team won the 2022 FIBA World Cup and multiple Olympic gold medals as an assistant[2][6]. Reeve’s influence extends beyond coaching into basketball operations, contributing to the Lynx’s sustained success and reputation as a WNBA dynasty. In 2025, she was named a 2026 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, recognizing her outstanding contributions to women's basketball[7].

Caitlin Elizabeth Clark, born January 22, 2002, in West Des Moines, Iowa, is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)[1]. She is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished female collegiate basketball players in NCAA history and has played a pivotal role in elevating the visibility and popularity of women’s basketball in the United States[1]. Clark’s basketball journey began at Dowling Catholic High School, where she was named a McDonald’s All-American and ranked among the nation’s top prospects by ESPN[1]. She chose to attend the University of Iowa, where her collegiate career quickly became legendary. As a freshman in 2020–21, Clark led NCAA Division I in scoring, averaging 26.6 points and 7.1 assists per game, and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors[2]. Over her four years with the Hawkeyes, she was twice named National Player of the Year, a unanimous first-team All-American multiple times, and set numerous NCAA records—most notably becoming the all-time leading scorer in Division I women’s basketball history[1]. Clark also set single-season and career records for three-pointers and assists, and became the first women’s player to lead Division I in both points and assists in a single season[1]. Her performances in the NCAA Tournament were especially memorable. Clark led Iowa to back-to-back national championship games, captivating audiences with highlight-reel plays and record-breaking statistics. A 2023 semifinal game against Louisville, in which she recorded 41 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, stands out as one of the greatest individual performances in tournament history[2]. Though Iowa fell short in both title games, Clark’s play drew unprecedented television ratings and brought new attention to women’s college basketball[2]. Internationally, Clark has represented the United States, winning three gold medals at the youth level, including two at the FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup, where she was named MVP in 2021[1]. Her success continued at the professional level: selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark immediately made an impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors, a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, and setting league records for assists in a season and a game, as well as the rookie scoring record[1]. Currently, Caitlin Clark is not only a standout WNBA player but also a cultural figure whose influence extends beyond the court, helping to drive increased interest and investment in women’s basketball at all levels[1]. Her rapid rise and sustained excellence make her one of the most relevant and impactful athletes in American sports today.