Jessica Shepard

Shepard sat out the 2024 season while fulfilling obligations with her team in Italy, but she re-signed with the Lynx in mid-April and should be back in the WNBA in 2025. She's had a consistent role over her last two seasons with Minnesota, averaging 8.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 26.5 minutes per game while starting in 39 of 57 regular-season appearances during that time. Bridget Carleton took on a starting role in Shepard's absence last year, while the Lynx also acquired Alanna Smith ahead of the 2024 campaign, and she served exclusively as a starter during her first season with the team. It's unclear whether Shepard will have a starting role now that she's back in the WNBA, but she could have increased opportunities after Dorka Juhasz announced that she'd sit out the 2025 season due to personal reasons. If Carleton and Smith retain starting roles, Shepard could be forced to come off the bench and compete with Karlie Samuelson and Diamond Miller for playing time. Read Past Outlooks