Lynx center McCarville won't play this season

MINNEAPOLIS -- For reasons that right now are unclear, Minnesota favorite Janel McCarville won't be playing for the Lynx this season.

The team announced Wednesday that "Janel McCarville recently informed the organization that she will not play in the upcoming 2015 WNBA season." The 32-year-old was in line to start at center for a third straight year.

But instead, recently acquired former All-Star Asjha Jones -- whom the Lynx traded for earlier Wednesday -- is expected to compete for the vacated starting position. The 34-year-old, who hasn't played in the WNBA since 2012, joins a frontcourt group that includes Rebekkah Brunson, Devereaux Peters, Damiris Dantas and Amber Harris.

Traded to Minnesota before the 2013 season, McCarville's rebounding, defense and offensive role-playing helped the Lynx win the championship that year and reach last season's Western Conference finals. It's not the first time she's sat out an entire year; McCarville was suspended for the entire 2011 season after failing to report to the New York Liberty's preseason camp on time.

She took the following year off before the Lynx obtained her rights.

McCarville, originally from Stevens Point, Wisc., teamed with current Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen on the University of Minnesota's only Final Four team in 2004. McCarville was drafted No. 1 overall by Charlotte in 2005, picked up by New York in the 2007 dispersal draft and played four seasons for the Liberty.

McCarville averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game during the 2013 season. Last year, she tallied 7.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest.

The Lynx open training camp this Sunday, May 17. Their 2015 season opener is 7 p.m. Friday, June 5 at home against Tulsa.

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