Lynx Sign Elissa Cunane
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the following injury updates for center Natalie Achonwa and guard Moriah Jefferson. Achonwa will remain out indefinitely with a right hamstring strain and Jefferson will be out indefinitely with a left quadriceps strain. In a subsequent move, the team signed center Elissa Cunane to a hardship contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
Achonwa’s injury occurred in the May 8 contest against the Washington Mystics. In her second season with Minnesota, she contributed a total of five points, two rebounds and one assist in the two contests she’s appeared this year.
Jefferson’s injury occurred in the May 29 contest against the Los Angeles Sparks. The 5-6 guard signed as a free agent on May 13 with Minnesota and has appeared in six contests (all starts), averaging 14.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 29.7 minutes per game.
Cunane, a 6-5 center, was selected 17th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. In two preseason victories with Seattle, Cunane recorded a total of nine points and eight rebounds in approximately 26 minutes of play. She was waived by the Storm ahead of the season opener.
The Wolfpack product was one of 12 prospects invited to attend the 2022 WNBA Draft in New York, projected to be one of the top picks. Cunane averaged 14.8 points, on 54.0 percent shooting, and 7.9 rebounds over her four-year career at NC State where she appeared in 125 contests (101 starts). She ended her college career as the record-holder in free throws made (513) and ranked sixth in the program history in career points (1,855), seventh in double-doubles (34) and fifth in rebounds (986). A two-time ACC Tournament MVP, Cunane was also named an All-American by the WBCA, AP and USBWA following the 2021-22 season.
Further updates as to Achonwa’s and Jefferson’s progress will be issued when available. Cunane will be available when the Lynx take on the Atlanta Dream on the road tomorrow, June 1. Tip is set for 6:00 p.m. CT and will broadcast on Bally Sports North Extra. Cunane will wear number 7.
