The WNBA has awarded Cheryl Reeve, head coach and president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Lynx, the Basketball Executive of the Year for the third time. This ties her with the Atlanta Dream’s Dan Padover for the most selections in the history of the award. Each WNBA team has one executive on the voting panel, and they are not allowed to vote for themselves. Reeve appeared on 13 ballots, surpassing Padover’s 11 and Golden State’s Ohemaa Nyanin’s eight.
Reeve’s award comes shortly after the Lynx, who held the top seed, were swept out of the first playoff round by the eighth-seeded New York Liberty. Despite the team’s playoff exit, Reeve has been lauded for her leadership and decision-making. Reeve has made her political views an integral part of her role, often speaking against the exclusion of males from women’s sports. Her colleagues acknowledged her stance by awarding her this prestigious honor.
Strategic Player Decisions and Trades
Reeve received recognition for her strategic moves, including the decision to draft Olivia Miles with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Miles won the unanimous Rookie of the Year title, setting a rookie scoring record with 790 points. The Dallas Wings, who had the opportunity to draft Miles first, instead picked Azzi Fudd, a decision initially praised for Fudd’s shooting skills.
Miles averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds as a rookie, outperforming Fudd’s averages. Additionally, the Lynx capitalized on trades with the Chicago Sky to strengthen their roster, despite challenging decisions that came their way. Reeve signed Natasha Howard, who started all 44 games and earned an All-Star starting position, enhancing the team’s performance with a 33-11 record.
Disappointing Playoff Performance
Despite these accomplishments, the Lynx were unable to secure any playoff victories. They became the first No. 1 seed to be eliminated by a No. 8 seed, suffering a sweep at the hands of the New York Liberty. This was despite having the unanimous Rookie of the Year and other key players like Napheesa Collier in the lineup.
Reeve’s leadership and decision-making came under scrutiny as the Lynx lost key playoff games, raising questions about postseason performance versus regular-season success. Her accolades include four WNBA championships, the last of which was in 2017, alongside her multiple individual awards.
Leadership and Political Stance
Reeve’s role as an executive includes setting the tone for the franchise, blending sports management with political advocacy. Her public support for transgender inclusion in women’s sports has been part of her broader leadership approach. For instance, she recently wore a “Trans Kids Belong” shirt during a game, signaling her position amid ongoing debates.
Her statement that efforts against male participation in women’s sports are an attack on what she referred to as the “transgender community” provoked discussions about inclusion. By honoring Reeve, her peers not only recognized her basketball acumen but also her political stance, reflecting a broader dialogue within the league.