Todd Barin

Web Editorial Associate

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Guess who’s back, back again. Anna Cruz is back, so tell a friend.

The Minnesota Lynx announced on Thursday morning that the 29-year-old Spanish guard would be re-joining the squad after earning a Silver Medal at the Summer Olympic Games.

The four Lynx Gold Medalists and coach Cheryl Reeve got an extensive look at Cruz throughout the Olympics as they competed against their former teammate twice in eight games.

The 12-year veteran performed well in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, starting all eight games for the Spanish Women’s National Team and averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in those contests.

After helping the Lynx capture their third WNBA Championship in five years last season, Cruz played internationally until their season ended in April, and then opted not to sign with a WNBA team right away, but to rest and prepare for the Olympics.

What does this signing mean?

The 21-4 Lynx just added another player who:

– Averaged eight points, three rebounds/assists in 22 games for Minnesota last year.

– Is familiar with coach Reeve’s play-style.

– Already has great chemistry with all of the starters and Renee Montgomery.

– Brings terror to opponents due to her unrelenting and tenacious defense.

Minnesota now has five guards on their roster, three of whom are Olympians and two of which are veterans and have playoff experience.

When the team arrived home on Monday night from earning a Gold Medal in Brazil, Lynx’ head coach Cheryl Reeve was asked about possibly bringing back Cruz for an end of the season/playoff push.

“Anna’s run with the Spanish National team has taken it’s toll physically on her, so what we’ve kind of talked about is, let’s everybody get home, let the dust settle and see where we’re at in a couple of weeks and we can go from there.”

Well it looks as if the dust settled a little quicker than both parties thought as Cruz is back on the Lynx just days after the conclusion of the Olympics.

Could Anna Cruz be the final piece in solving the 2016 Championship puzzle?

For that answer ladies and gentlemen, we will have to wait and see.