The WBNA has announced that Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve has been elected as 2019 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year. Reeve is married to Minnesota Lynx vice-president Carley Knox — the two have a son together.
Reeve, who was previously named as the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2016, won the honor based on ranked votes issued by an executive from each of the WBNA’s 15 national teams.
Reeve said, “I am honored to have been chosen as Executive of the Year,” adding, “This award is a testament to the hard work of our talented staff. I am proud of the way our staff and players came together despite much adversity.”
According to WBNA.com, “Reeve received four of 11 first-place votes (at five points each), two second-place votes (at three points each) and two third-place votes” (at one point each) for a total of 28 points.
Reeve just narrowly beat Las Vegas Aces General Manager of Basketball Operations Dan Padover for the honor by a single point.
WBNA.com summarizes Reeve’s record:
As a head coach, Reeve has a 231-109 regular-season record and a 40-17 playoff record in 10 seasons with the Lynx. In addition to her record-tying four WNBA championships, Reeve has the highest winning percentage in both the regular season (.679) and the postseason (.702) in league history.
In a 2017 interview with Toledo’s ABC affiliate, Reeve’s wife spoke of her and Reeve’s push within the WNBA to demonstrate that women and LGBT people can succeed in sports.
Knox said, “We are fighting the fight for all marginalized groups. So it’s not just about girls and women. It’s helping to raise the next generation of enlightened boys and girls.”
