Cheryl Reeve Wins Third Executive of the Year Award

The WNBA has recognized Cheryl Reeve once again. The Minnesota Lynx head coach and president of basketball operations has received the Basketball Executive of the Year award for the third time. This acclaim ties her with the Atlanta Dream’s Dan Padover for the most selections in the award’s history.

Reeve’s achievement follows the Lynx’s playoff exit, where the top-seeded team was swept by the New York Liberty in the first round. The Liberty then faced a similar fate in the semifinals, being swept by the Dream.

Reeve appeared on 13 ballots, surpassing Padover’s 11 votes and Golden State’s Ohemaa Nyanin’s 8 votes. Representatives from each of the WNBA’s 15 teams participated in the voting.

A substantial endorsement of Reeve’s leadership, reflecting peer approval despite her vocal political stance.

Reeve’s consistent use of her position to advocate for political views has marked her tenure, focusing on inclusivity in women’s sports. Despite this approach, her colleagues chose to celebrate her leadership abilities.

Olivia Miles Decision Hindsight

One of Reeve’s key decisions was selecting Olivia Miles as the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Miles excelled, earning Rookie of the Year honors and setting a new scoring record for a rookie.

The Dallas Wings, holding the No. 1 pick, opted for Azzi Fudd instead. Miles’s performance, averaging 19.8 points per game versus Fudd’s 13.1, highlighted the decision’s impact. While Dallas praised Fudd’s skills, Miles’s record-setting debut suggests the Lynx benefited from the selection choice.

Reeve also made notable trades, enhancing the Lynx’s roster. Despite this, Minnesota became the first No. 1 seed to be eliminated by a No. 8 seed in playoff history.

Playoff Performance and Leadership

The Lynx, bolstered by the Rookie of the Year and All-Star Natasha Howard, could not secure a playoff win. Their season ended abruptly with back-to-back losses to the Liberty. Reeve’s last championship victory was in 2017, and while she collected several personal awards, the team hasn’t secured a title in nine years.

An executive influences the franchise beyond the court. Reeve’s recent political statements, advocating for inclusivity of transgender athletes, sparked discussions. Wearing a “Trans Kids Belong” shirt, she commented on the issue, adding weight to her leadership role.

The WNBA’s decision to award Reeve reflects endorsement of her leadership approach. This acknowledgment signals a stance from decision-makers on inclusivity and the responsibilities of a sports executive.