Courtney Williams, since joining the Minnesota Lynx in 2024, has been a vocal leader and a crucial figure in the backcourt, helping anchor the franchise, especially during a period of roster transition.

Her contributions to the team over the years resulted in her being named the captain recently, and hearing the title said out loud for the first time by head coach Cheryl Reeve, in her own words, hit differently.

During Minnesota Lynx training camp this week, a video posted by Zone Coverage beat writer Andrew Dukowitz captured Williams, who was standing alongside Reigan Richardson, opening up on her response to being named a team captain.

“I know, she turned me up,” Williams said with a laugh. “I ain’t gonna lie, I had to call my momma and my daddy and everybody and tell them. That was my first time hearing her say it out loud.”

The reaction told the full story, as Williams has been a cornerstone of the Lynx’s recent run, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 assists and 4.9 rebounds across all 44 games last season. She ended up finishing second in the WNBA in total assists at 271.

Courtney Williams also set a new franchise single-season assist record, surpassing the mark she had set in 2024.

That body of work earned her a two-year deal, reported by ESPN’s Alexa Philippou at $2.4 million, and now a captaincy to go with it.

Cheryl Reeve’s statement at the re-signing made the decision feel like a mere formality.

“Courtney has been such a special part of the Lynx for the last two seasons,” Reeve said. “The passion and joy she plays with elevates our team to great heights.”

But what went unsaid was the consistency that statement implied, as Courtney Williams started every game, played through a ruptured thumb ligament in 2024, and delivered a 15.7-point, 6.0-assist, 2.7-steal playoff average last postseason before Minnesota’s run ended against Phoenix.

That being said, her captaincy lands at a moment of genuine transition.

Courtney Williams Steps Into Leadership as Lynx Rebuild Backcourt

Six of the Lynx’s top nine rotation players departed this offseason either through free agency or the expansion draft, and the list includes Natisha Hiedeman, Williams’ “StudBudz” partner and closest teammate, who signed with the Seattle Storm.

Williams’ reaction to that move, per Dukowitz, was characteristically raw.

“It’s like seeing your baby fly away,” Courtney Williams said. “I was so sick.”

However, what Minnesota added to compensate is notable, as the Lynx selected TCU point guard Olivia Miles with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, a pass-first playmaker with elite vision and size at the position.

Having said that, Courtney Williams does not look at Miles as competition.

“I went into the locker room, I was like, ‘Yo, you cold. Like she’s gonna be a problem,’” Williams said of Miles.

Miles, for her part, has returned the admiration from her side of the relationship.

“I’ve been going to her a lot,” Miles said of Williams. “She’s probably tired of me because I’ve been asking so many questions, but she’s that type of vet.”

The pairing works on the floor as well.

With Miles running the primary offense, Courtney Williams can operate more freely off the ball and focus on scoring and on-ball defense, the areas where she has done the most damage throughout her career.

Furthermore, Napheesa Collier, who had surgery on both ankles this offseason, is expected to return in early June, giving the Lynx time early in the season for Williams and Miles to find their rhythm before the full roster is available.

The Lynx open their regular season on May 10 against the Atlanta Dream at Target Center.

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Arvind Rao