The WNBA is quickly going international. Last year, French star Dominique Malonga was drafted at No. 2, while this year it was Awa From Spain being drafted at No. 3. In 2026, there were two international players in the top 10 with Iyana Martin going at No. 7. Even Cathy Engelbert expressed interest in hosting pre-season games in Europe. With the game expanding fast, the Minnesota Lynx are making their front office future-proof with this hire.
The Lynx also drafted an international prospect last year. The 19-year-old Anastasiia Kosu, who spent most of the season on the bench but has been retained by the franchise. The Lynx see her getting more important over time. But to identify such prospects from outside the US quickly, Cheryl Reeve will now have a designated international scout for the first time in franchise history.
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Big12 broadcaster Rachel Galligan has joined the Lynx in this newly created position. “BREAKING: Can confirm the multiple reports that I am, in fact, a Lynx. #rachbomb,” she wrote. Galligan brings experience from all aspects of basketball. She has worked in the media for more than a decade. Galligan herself has played college basketball for Eastern Illinois, where she finished as their leading scorer.
She was an assistant coach at Ball State, Eastern Illinois, and Grand Canyon, where she has experience recruiting internationally. In addition, she runs a recruiting agency named Go Global recruiting which is an “international recruiting service designed to help women’s basketball players all over the world earn a scholarship to play collegiate basketball.” So Galligan is more than qualified to take up this position for Minnesota.
“I am excited to add Rachel to our global scouting efforts. We have identified that investment in this area could prove valuable to our roster building, and she was the perfect person to lead these efforts,” said Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve in the statement.
Sep 6, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve watches the action against the Golden State Valkyries in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The Golden State Valkyries benefited greatly from their international squad last year. They had 7 key contributors coming from outside the country and coach Natalie Nakase wove magic with that squad. They reached the playoffs as an expansion team, a feat nobody thought they would achieve.
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It seems the Lynx are also stepping up their international scouting to match the demands of today. One of the reasons for this is the rules in the WNBA regarding international prospects. They are allowed to get into the draft at just 19 years old (turning 20 in the draft year), while college basketball players need to atleast 22.
Getting such talents early provides franchises the opportunity to develop them for a longer time. In addition, they have most likely already played against WNBA-caliber talent, especially when it comes to Europe. The college basketball players haven’t yet. Such experience can separate international stars, giving incentive to the Lynx to specifically scout them.
That speaks to the mentality of the management, which has let them stay on top for many years. They drafted Olivia Miles in the 2026 draft, adding an elite point guard with their No. 2 who also emphasized the culture at the Lynx as an advantage.
Olivia Miles Reveals How Winning Now At The Lynx Shaped Her Draft Decision
The Minnesota Lynx passed up on Awa Fam for Olivia Miles. Fam is arguably the most talented and unique player in this draft. There has not been a post player prospect that has been as athletic as Fam with an elite IQ and passing. A’ja Wilson has been speculated as her ceiling. But Cheryl Reeve explained why it was Miles. “She is the first real point guard we’ve had since Lindsay Whalen,” Reeve said on draft night. “When I say ‘real,’ like that kind of generational makes a living doing it.”
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They already have Napheesa Collier, who is among the best players in the league at the forward position. But considering the culture at the Minnesota Lynx, it is an advantageous opportunity for Miles as well since they will immediately challenge for the title.
“That was a big priority with me and my agents talking about it,” Miles said. “They said this could be a very good situation for me. Not that rebuilding is an issue, but to go somewhere you can compete for a championship right away is rare.”
In today’s world the players have enough autonomy to control their draft decision. Although technically they don’t, if players convey that they prefer other teams, the franchise usually obliges. Because they don’t want a player who does not want to play for them. Miles could have especially avoided the Lynx because Cheryl Reeve has a reputation that she does not give youngsters enough opportunity. However, she is looking to step on that challenge and enter the rotation.
“I’m definitely grateful to be inserted in. I know it won’t be easy, and I’m not looking for it to be easy,” Miles said. “It’s going to be intense, and I’ve been looking for that kind of culture for a long time. I can’t wait to get the most out of my ability.” In addition, Reeve has committed to play Miles more. So, evenwhile losing many of their star players, the Minnesota Lynx are reloading to once again challenge for the title in years to come.
