Lynx GM Clare Duwelius leaves team to join Unrivaled

After losing to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals last month, the Minnesota Lynx lost general manager Clare Duwelius and assistant coach Katie Smith to other pursuits.

Duwelius, who has worked for the Lynx since 2014, will join Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 professional women's league, as GM and executive vice president. Lynx star Napheesa Collier co-founded Unrivaled, which will begin its first season in January in Miami.

Duwelius, who began her tenure with the Lynx as basketball operations coordinator before moving up in the front office, became GM when head coach Cheryl Reeve was named president of basketball operations in 2022.

Meanwhile, Smith is returning to her alma mater, Ohio State, to serve as an assistant coach. Smith played from 1992-96 and helped the Buckeyes reach the national title game in 1993.

After two championship seasons with Columbus of the ABL, Smith was a seven-time All-Star during her 15 seasons in the WNBA -- including 6 1/2 seasons with the Lynx -- and was a two-time champion with Detroit.

A member of the Naismith, Women's Basketball and Ohio State halls of fame, Smith is also a three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist. Before joining the Lynx's staff in 2020, she was the head coach of the Liberty for two seasons.

"Katie has been an integral part of the Lynx since her return in 2020," Lynx coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve said in a statement. "She poured her heart and soul into developing the Lynx team and its players into a championship contender once again. Her passion, commitment, and loyalty have left an indelible mark on the organization."

--Field Level Media