Meet the 2010 Lynx: #20 Núria Martínez, guard

The second of a six-part series profiling the Minnesota Lynx roster as the 2010 season approaches.

BY MIKE PEDEN

Spain native Núria Martínez has hung around the Minnesota neighborhood before, when the Lynx picked her up off waivers in 2004. The only time she saw action during her first stint was in 2005 against the now-defunct Charlotte Sting, where she played for a mere two minutes.

After posting 10 points and 7 rebounds in a 87-78 preseason loss to the Chicago Sky, Martínez figures to have a chance at returning to the roster, and she is very pleased with her teammates.

"We will improve. We will be aggressive," she said.

The Lynx are shooting for improvements after consensus suggested the team was too young last year without Seimone Augustus to be truly competitive. With the additions of veterans Lindsay Whalen, Hamchétou Maïga-Ba and Rebekkah Brunson, roster openings are scarce. Despite low odds, Martínez likes the balance of youth and wisdom on the roster.

Martínez is not completely foreign to the current pack of Lynx. She and Augustus were overseas teammates in Moscow for two seasons, which included a FIBA EuroCup championship in 2007.

Between her previous and current stretches with the Lynx, Martínez said everyone was new, from the players to the coaches. That includes new head coach Cheryl Reeve, the third to command the Lynx in the last three seasons.

"She is a good coach. I think she will give us a lot of experience. The team is ready for war," she said.

The second and final preseason game at Chicago against the Sky once more may determine if Martínez is also ready.