Asia Taylor no longer Mrs. Irrelevant for Minnesota Lynx

Entering her last year of college as a redshirt senior, Asia Taylor considered any dreams of playing in the WNBA out of reach.

“It was still the goal, but you know, you’ve got to be realistic with yourself,” she said in a recent interview with WNBA.com.

The University of Louisville forward sat out the 2012-13 season because of a hip injury and was unsure what would come next. But the 6-foot-1 Columbus, Ohio, native bounced back to start all 38 games last season. She was the Cardinals’ second-leading scorer (10.8 points per game) and leading rebounder (7.2).

That production was just enough to get Taylor drafted — with the 36th and final pick, by the Minnesota Lynx. Then she had to prove herself again by making the roster.

“You know, I knew I was an underdog coming in,” she told WNBA.com. “I never actually heard the term ‘Mr. or Mrs. Irrelevant’ until after I got picked, and I just thought that story was just amazing. They basically say third-round picks are just here until the veterans get back, and I kind of wanted to prove differently.

“I think just me working hard, staying humble and even on the last day, I never felt I was a shoo-in. I never felt like I could relax or things like that. I’m just happy that in the end they picked me.”

Through five professional games, Taylor is averaging 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds off the bench for the undefeated Lynx. She has moved from power forward in college to small forward, and her playing time is limited with veterans Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus also at the position. But Taylor is enjoying the whole new experience.

“I feel like a rookie because they crack jokes and all that stuff, but I feel welcome and I feel a part of this,” she said. “I feel included, so that’s the big thing. I’m down for all the jokes and all the little stuff we have to do. They made us dress in these terrible dresses and it was terrible, but it was all in fun.”

— Jonathan Lintner