Wikipedia

Rebekkah Brunson

Rebekkah Brunson (born December 11, 1981) is an American basketball coach and broadcast analyst. She is currently an assistant coach with the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).[1] Brunson is a former forward for the Lynx and is the only player to win five WNBA championships. She held the WNBA record for rebounding,[2] which she ceded to Lynx center Sylvia Fowles in 2020.[3]

Rebekkah Brunson
Brunson in 2018
Minnesota Lynx
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueWNBA
Personal information
Born (1981-12-11) December 11, 1981 (age 43)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolOxon Hill (Oxon Hill, Maryland)
CollegeGeorgetown (2000–2004)
WNBA draft2004: 1st round, 10th overall pick
Selected by the Sacramento Monarchs
Playing career2004–2018
Coaching career2020–present
Career history
As player:
2004–2009Sacramento Monarchs
2004–2006Dexia Namur
2006–2007Dynamo Moscow
2007–2010Taranto Cras Basket
2010–2011Ros Casares Valencia
2011–2012Nadezhda Orenburg
2012–2013USK Praha
2013–2016Dynamo Kursk
2010–2018Minnesota Lynx
As coach:
2020–presentMinnesota Lynx (assistant)
Career highlights and awards

As assistant coach:

Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Representing the USA
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2003 Santo Domingo Team

Brunson was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Oxon Hill High School in Maryland. Brunson graduated from Georgetown University in 2004 as its women's basketball program's all-time leading rebounder. She also played on the U.S. team in the 2003 Pan American Games.[4]

College Achievements

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2000–01 Georgetown 32 474 .509 – .563 9.2 0.7 1.8 0.9 14.8
2001–02 Georgetown 18 272 .481 .083 .670 8.5 0.6 1.9 1.1 15.1
2002–03 Georgetown 29 481 .463 .438 .670 10.7 1.5 2.0 1.8 16.6
2003–04 Georgetown 28 535 .485 .182 .608 12.0 1.3 1.7 1.8 19.1
Career 107 1,762 .485 .256 .625 10.2 1.1 1.9 1.4 16.5

Source[5]

WNBA career

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Brunson in 2006

The Sacramento Monarchs chose Brunson in the 1st round of the 2004 WNBA draft as the tenth overall pick. She played in Sacramento for six seasons and contributed to the Monarchs' 2005 WNBA Championship victory. She led the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.9) and total offensive rebounds (130) for the 2007 regular season.

After the Monarchs suspended operations in the fall of 2009, the Minnesota Lynx acquired Brunson in a dispersal draft. In 2011, Brunson tied a WNBA record with six consecutive double-doubles, and was named WNBA Player of the Month for June, the first member of the Lynx to be so honored.[6] She was later named to the 2011 WNBA All-Star game, and started in place of an injured Candace Parker.[7]

 
Nneka Ogwumike guards Brunson in 2016

Brunson led the Lynx in field goal percentage and rebounds in a year where the team had the best record in the WNBA. She was honored with her first appearance on the WNBA All-Defensive First Team; she had earned second-team honors three previous times. The Lynx would go on to win the 2011 WNBA Championship.

Brunson won her third league title in 2013. Brunson again made the All-Star Game, starting in place of the injured Brittney Griner. Brunson set the career mark for rebounds in the Finals, with 130, breaking the record held by former teammate Taj McWilliams-Franklin. She also broke McWilliams-Franklin's record for Finals games played, with 19.[8]

 
Brunson evading Krystal Thomas and Elena Delle Donne in the 2017 WNBA playoffs

In 2015, Brunson would win her fourth WNBA championship with the Lynx as they defeated the Indiana Fever in five games.

 
Brunson as an assistant coach before 2024 WNBA Finals Game 1

Following a finals loss in 2016 to the Los Angeles Sparks, Brunson would be selected into the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, replacing an injured Brittney Griner, making it her fourth career all-star game appearance. As of 2017, Brunson also became the all-time league leader in career offensive rebounds.

 
Brunson after setting all-time rebound record in 2018

Later on in the 2017 season, Brunson became the first player in league history to win 5 WNBA championships, as the Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in five games, avenging the previous year's Finals loss.

In 2018, Brunson passed Tamika Catchings, who had 3,317 career rebounds, to become the league's all-time rebounding leader.[9] She was also announced as an all-star replacement for Nneka Ogwumike in the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her fifth all-star appearance.[10] Brunson however missed the playoffs due to injury. The Lynx finished 18–16 with the number 7 seed and lost in the first round elimination game to the Los Angeles Sparks, ending their streak of three consecutive finals appearances.

Brunson officially retired in February 2020, when she was hired as assistant coach of the Lynx.[11] The Lynx retired her jersey on July 3, 2022.[12] In 2023, Brunson was named to the Lynx All-25 Team as one of the best 25 players in the team's history.[13]

Overseas career

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During WNBA offseasons, Brunson has played for Taranto, an Italian professional basketball team, for the Dynamo team based in Russia, and Dexia Namur, a professional club in Belgium, and for Nadezhda team based in Orenburg, Russia. She then played for USK Prague, with which she won the Czech League title (4–2 vs BK Brno) and reached the Women's Euroleague Top 16. She played with Dynamo Kursk, along with Lynx teammate Seimone Augustus from 2013 to 2016.[14]

USA Basketball

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Brunson was named to the team representing the US at the 2003 Pan American Games.[4] The team lost the opening game to Cuba, then rebounded to win their next five games, including an overtime win against Brazil. They then faced Cuba for the gold medal, falling short 75–64 to take home the silver medal. Brunson shot 57% from the field, and ended up as the leading scorer as well as the leading rebounder for the USA team.[15]

Brunson was one of 21 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster. The 20 professional women's basketball players, plus one collegiate player (Brittney Griner), were selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee to compete for the final roster which will represent the US at the 2012 Olympics in London.[16]

Broadcasting

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Brunson made her broadcasting debut in a January 2019 game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics.[17] She has continued as an analyst in addition to her coaching work. In the 2023-24 Timberwolves season, Brunson has joined Kevin Lynch and Marney Gellner in providing analysis after regular season games on the Wolves Live broadcast.[18]

Personal life

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Brunson established and manages the 32 Foundation (named for her jersey number), which sponsors academic and athletic opportunities for youth in the metropolitan DC area.[19] Rebekkah Brunson and wife Bobbi Jo Lamar Brunson welcomed their son Graham Matteo Lamar Brunson on September 29, 2018.[20] The two had a second son in November 2023.[21] Brunson and her wife own and operate Sweet TrooVī, which began as a Belgian waffle food truck inspired by Brunson's time playing professional basketball in Belgium and has since evolved into a mission-driven company offering authentic Liege waffles and gourmet plant-based cookies distributed at both local and national levels. [22]

Athletic and social empowerment

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Rebekah Brunson is not only celebrated as one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA but also stands as a powerful figure in the Black feminist movement. Through her achievements on the court, business ventures, and advocacy work, Brunson exemplifies the principles of Black feminism, particularly in how it promotes intersectionality, empowerment, and resistance to racial and gender oppression (Collins, 2000; Lorde, 1984). Brunson's journey as a professional athlete has positioned her as a role model, not just for aspiring athletes but also for Black women navigating spaces dominated by patriarchy and racial bias (Taylor, 2019).

Brunson’s influence transcends her statistical achievements, embodying principles of discipline, resilience, and tenacity. These attributes echo Black feminist ideals, particularly the perseverance required to navigate systemic barriers and achieve excellence. Her career reflects a commitment to collective empowerment, whether through her leadership on championship-winning teams or her mentorship as a coach. Brunson’s ability to balance her multifaceted roles as a professional athlete, coach, and advocate mirrors the broader struggles and triumphs of Black women who continually redefine narratives of strength and success.  

Empowerment and Agency Beyond Basketball:

With her decision to co-create and co-fun “Sweet  Troo-vi ”, a vegan business, Brunson illustrates the Black feminist perspective on self-sufficiency ad community-oriented empowerment. By venturing into entrepreneurship, Brunson challenges the limiting stereotypes that confine Black women to certain roles, particularly in sports, and instead carves out a space where she can exercise autonomy and foster community support. As Patricia Hill Collins argues, Black women’s self-reliance and economic independence are critical forms of resistance against systemic oppression and the controlling images that limit their perceived capacities (Collins, 2000). Brunson’s focus on health and sustainability also aligns with the Black feminist commitment to holistic wellness and community care, reflecting Alice Walker’s concept of "womanism" which emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal health and collective well-being (Walker, 1983).    

Brunson’s empowerment goes beyond her business activities, she has used her platforms as an influent social figure to advocate for social justice, which grew stronger after the tragic murder of George Floyd, in the city Brunson calls home. Her activism aligns with the Black feminist principle of using one’s voice to challenge systemic inequalities and support marginalized communities. According to Collins (2000), Black feminist activism is not limited to formal political arenas but also includes community-building efforts and grassroots initiatives that uplift Black youth and address systemic injustices. Brunson’s involvement in organizations aimed at empowering Black youth illustrates this intersectional approach to activism, where personal experience is leveraged to enact social change. By doing so, Brunson embodies the tradition of Black feminist activists who have long emphasized the importance of using one's influence to advocate for broader societal transformation (Collins, 2000).

The Importance of Creating Histories

Rebekkah Brunson’s journey reflect another relevant Black feminist theme, the notion of reclaiming and creating histories. Black women’s achievements have frequently been ignored or omitted from prevailing historical narratives throughout history. In order to confront oppressive systems that have continued to undervalue the experiences of Black women, Black feminist scholars such as Patricia Hill Collins and Bell Hooks stress the significance of reclaiming these narratives (Collins, 2000; Hooks, 1989).  

By breaking records, building businesses, and actively advocating for social change, Rebekkah lines with the work of Bell Hooks –which asserts that reclaiming one’s narrative is a powerful act of resistance against the dominant structures that seek to silence marginalized voices. Brunson’s life creates a story that breaks barriers and offers inspiration for future generations of Black women, contributing to an increased role of Black womanhood in historical records.  

WNBA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader
† Denotes seasons in which Brunson won a WNBA championship

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2004 Sacramento 34 1 14.5 .421 .000 .717 3.6 0.6 0.6 0.3 0.8 4.4
2005† Sacramento 34 16 21.2 .427 .000 .598 5.5 0.5 0.8 0.4 1.2 7.8
2006 Sacramento 34 17 17.7 .461 .000 .587 5.6 0.5 0.6 0.4 1.1 6.8
2007 Sacramento 33 29 28.2 .473 .000 .686 8.9 0.7 1.3 0.9 1.7 11.5
2008 Sacramento 30 30 26.0 .500 .000 .671 7.1 0.4 1.2 0.6 1.7 10.9
2009 Sacramento 27 17 24.6 .486 .000 .783 7.0 0.3 1.4 0.5 1.6 12.3
2010 Minnesota 30 30 30.5 .429 .000 .663 10.3 0.8 1.2 0.9 1.6 11.3
2011† Minnesota 34 34 27.6 .511 .000 .667 8.9 1.2 0.8 0.5 1.5 10.2
2012 Minnesota 31 31 27.0 .505 .000 .679 8.9 1.2 1.1 0.9 1.2 11.4
2013† Minnesota 33 33 29.2 .497 1.000 .636 8.9 1.5 1.2 0.8 1.1 10.6
2014 Minnesota 11 11 27.5 .395 .000 .714 8.2 1.5 0.2 0.7 0.9 7.2
2015† Minnesota 34 34 27.8 .457 .000 .831 8.1 1.8 1.1 0.7 1.5 7.8
2016 Minnesota 33 33 24.6 .477 .000 .857 7.3 1.8 0.9 0.2 0.8 7.4
2017† Minnesota 30 30 26.9 .449 .348 .711 6.7 1.5 1.1 0.4 1.6 10.2
2018 Minnesota 25 25 27.7 .405 .375 .673 6.8 2.4 0.8 0.5 1.4 7.2
Career 15 years, 2 teams 453 368 25.2 .466 .341 .692 7.4 1.1 1.0 0.6 1.4 9.2

Postseason

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2004 Sacramento 6 0 13.3 .350 .000 .714 2.8 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.5 3.2
2005† Sacramento 8 8 34.3 .446 .000 .455 5.5 1.3 0.6 0.5 1.1 6.9
2006 Sacramento 9 0 17.1 .333 .000 .643 3.6 0.6 0.3 0.6 1.0 6.0
2007 Sacramento 3 3 29.3 .613 .000 .700 6.3 0.3 1.0 1.6 0.6 15.0
2011† Minnesota 8 8 30.6 .473 .000 .781 10.8 1.5 0.8 0.6 1.6 11.9
2012 Minnesota 9 9 33.7 .489 .000 .792 9.7 1.2 0.7 1.4 2.1 11.9
2013† Minnesota 7 7 32.5 .509 .000 .692 10.1 2.3 0.7 0.8 1.7 10.6
2014 Minnesota 5 5 29.0 .417 .000 1.000 7.0 1.4 1.4 0.6 0.8 6.8
2015† Minnesota 10 10 29.5 .435 .000 .650 7.2 1.7 1.2 0.5 1.2 5.3
2016 Minnesota 8 8 29.2 .473 .000 .792 6.5 2.5 1.2 0.6 1.5 8.9
2017† Minnesota 8 8 27.9 .361 .111 .793 6.0 1.6 1.1 0.5 1.3 9.5
Career 11 years, 2 teams 81 66 27.0 .447 .091 .726 7.0 1.4 0.9 0.7 1.3 8.4

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Hire Five-Time WNBA Champion Rebekkah Brunson as Assistant Coach". Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  2. ^ Andrews, Julian (July 5, 2018). "Rebekkah Brunson Becomes WNBA's All-Time Leading Rebounder". NBA Media Ventures. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  3. ^ Young, Ryan (July 29, 2020). "Sylvia Fowles becomes WNBA all-time rebounding leader". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "FOURTEENTH PAN AMERICAN GAMES - 2003". USA basketball. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Women's Basketball Player stats". NCAA. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  6. ^ Brunson Is 1st Lynx Player To Win Player Of Month. Minnesota.cbslocal.com (July 6, 2011). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  7. ^ Minnesota's Rebekkah Brunson Selected to Start for Western Conference in 2011 WNBA All-Star Game presented by adidas. Wnba.com. Retrieved on May 19, 2016.
  8. ^ WNBA Finals: Game 3 Recap. Startribune.com (October 11, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  9. ^ "Rebekkah Brunson Career in Photos". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  10. ^ "Sparks' Ogwumike out, Lynx's Brunson in ASG". ESPN.com. July 25, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  11. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Hire Five-Time WNBA Champion Rebekkah Brunson as Assistant Coach" (Press release). NBA Ventures. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  12. ^ Schad, Chris (July 3, 2022). "Lynx retire Brunson's jersey, crush Aces". Sports Illustrated Minnesota Sports, News, Analysis, and More. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  13. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Unveil Final Group of the All-25 Team". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  14. ^ Lynx’s winter jobs. Startribune.com (October 14, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  15. ^ "Fourteenth Pan American Games – 2003". USA Basketball. February 20, 2014. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  16. ^ "Twenty-One Finalists In The Mix For Final 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster". USA Basketball. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  17. ^ "Rebekkah Brunson To Make Broadcast Debut". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  18. ^ "Timberwolves and Bally Sports North Announce 2023-24 Broadcast Schedule". www.nba.com. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  19. ^ Rebekkah Brunson. wnba.com
  20. ^ Zeigler, Cyd (October 18, 2018). "WNBA star Rebekkah Brunson and her wife give birth to baby Graham". Outsports. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  21. ^ Brunson, Rebekkah (November 16, 2023). "Post from Nov 16, 2023". @rebekkahbrunson on Instagram. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  22. ^ "Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson balancing life's many demands". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
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