The Lynx guard is having a breakout season and is set to return to the Olympics as part of Team Canada.
Minnesota Lynx sixth-year guard Bridget Carlton is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging a career-high nine points.
“It's a really tough league to find your way in and it all depends on how healthy you are. I was fortunate to find a home in Minnesota,” said Carlton, a 2019 second-round draft pick.
She will soon be heading to Paris to compete in her second Olympic Games and play as part of Team Canada.
“It's incredible. I'm happy to be playing for the national team and representing Canada at the highest level,” she said. “Playing for Canada in my second Olympic Games is a dream come true and it doesn't feel real.”
Her second trip will also be an opportunity to share the experience first-hand with her parents, Rob and Carrie.
“When I see them in the stands, they're so proud to be from Canada and they love the Olympics as much as I do and you can see how proud they are,” Carlton said.
The Canadian women's national team has never won an Olympic medal, and Carleton and her teammates are hoping to achieve that in Paris.
“I think it would be really amazing to become an Olympic medallist and a huge contribution to our sport and to Canada,” Carleton said.
Paris will also have the opportunity to compete against Lynx teammate and Australian team member Alanna Smith, and potentially against Cheryl Reeve and Napheesa Collier in the medal round.
“Obviously when we're in the line we're all trying to outdo each other, but those relationships continue outside the line and it's really fun to share those experiences,” Carlton said.
What advice would she give to young girls watching Canada on the Olympic stage?
“If you just be yourself, have fun and work as hard as you can, the sky is the limit. I never thought I'd be in the Olympics twice or play in the WNBA for six years, but I hope to play longer. It's the little things that matter and just have fun and in the end anything is possible,” Carlton said.
