Clare Duwelius (born April 18, 1989)[1] is an American basketball executive who is the general manager of the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Duwelius started with the Lynx in 2014 as the Basketball Operations Coordinator prior to being elevated to Basketball Operations Manager in 2016 and later assistant general manager in 2018.
| Minnesota Lynx | |
|---|---|
| Position | General Manager |
| League | WNBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 18, 1989 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | Wayne State College Southwest Minnesota State University |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| As executive: | |
Early life
editDuwelius was raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She attended Dowling Catholic High School while growing up and then went to Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska to play basketball. She hit a game-winning three-pointer during the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament to help lead the Wildcats to the conference title.[2] Duwelius concluded her career at WSC as the program’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals made (252) and was named first team All-NSIC in 2012, helping lead Wayne State to the NCAA Elite Eight.[3] She was also named the 2008-2009 NSIC Freshman of the Year.
Following her playing career, Duwelius went on to become a graduate assistant coach at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. While working on her master's degree at SMSU, Duwelius assisted in all operations of the women's basketball program, such as practice planning, facility preparation, equipment managing, team travel and video exchange.[4]
Executive career
editMinnesota Lynx
editDuwelius began her career in the WNBA as the basketball operations coordinator with the Minnesota Lynx in 2014. She had been promoted to assistant general manager in 2018. After spending the last five years in that role, in December 2022, the Lynx announced Duwelius as their new general manager, the fourth overall in franchise history.[5]
Duwelius's WNBA Draft experience as General Manager, she selected Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász in the 2023 WNBA Draft. Both Miller and Juhász were named to the All-Rookie Team during the 2023 season.[6] Following the 2023 season, Duwelius and President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Cheryl Reeve retooled the Lynx roster and brought in Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Sika Koné, and Olivia Époupa through signings and trades. She also brought back Cecilia Zandalasini, who previously played in Minnesota, as well as drafted Alissa Pili.[7] The Lynx won the 2024 WNBA Commissioner's Cup with their retooled roster on June 25, 2024.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Clare Duwelius". wscwildcats.com. WSC Wildcats Athletics. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Wayne State buzzer beater sinks Vikings in NSIC Tournament title game". goaugie.com. Augustana Athletics. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "CLARE DUWELIUS". smsumustangs.com. SMSU Athletics. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ Birch, Tommy. "Minnesota Lynx: How a Dowling Catholic grad rose to key spot in one of WNBA's top franchises". desmoinesregister.com. Des Moines Register. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Name Clare Duwelius as General Manager". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston Named 2023 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year". WNBA. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Finalize 2024 Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Lynx vs. Liberty Boxscore". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved 26 June 2024.