Staff Directory 6370602

Kent Youngblood

Reporter | Pro Sports
Phone: 612-673-4365

Kent Youngblood has covered sports for the Minnesota Star Tribune for more than 20 years.


Youngblood covered the Vikings in two NFC title games, Gophers football in two bowl games, both the Wild and Wolves in conference championship series and three Lynx WNBA champions. He has been writing about sports for nearly three decades, including several years in Wisconsin covering the Green Bay Packers, including two trips to the Super Bowl.
Recent content from Kent Youngblood
Gophers guard Tori McKinney (14) goes up for a shot against Prairie View A&M on Friday at Williams Arena.

Gophers women close nonconference play with 96-57 rout of Prairie View A&M

Two standouts for Minnesota were Tori McKinney (17 points) and Annika Stewart (20), as Prairie View A&M fell to 2-6.
Gophers guards Kennedy Klick (22) and Tori McKinney (14) celebrate a foul drawn by forward Niamya Holloway (41) vs. Jackson State on Dec. 11 at Willia

Gophers women enter final nonconference tune-up vs. Prairie View A&M

Back in action for the first time since Dec. 11, the Gophers will face a Prairie View A&M team that is riding a five-game losing streak.
The Wolves' Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who finished with 17 points, lays up the ball against the Spurs.

Timberwolves roll against Spurs, defense again accounting for the difference

The Wolves won for the sixth time in seven games, this time despite shooting only 40%.
Gophers sophomore Taylor Woodson is a Hopkins grad who played at Michigan before transferring to the Gophers.

Gophers guard Woodson suffers season-ending knee injury

Taylor Woodson, who transferred home from Michigan to play for the Gophers, was averaging 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 17 minutes per game.
Gophers guard Amaya Battle drives to the hoop against Jackson State guard Jaileyah Cotton (5) in the first quarter Wednesday night at Williams Arena.

Gophers women's basketball team bounces back to trounce Jackson State; top sub Woodson injured

Minnesota shot nearly 60% during a 20-8 start to erase a fresh loss to Nebraska, but guard/forward Taylor Woodson suffered a knee injury early in the game.
Gophers guard Tori McKinney (14) has picked up some of the scoring the team misses with Mara Braun out with a foot injury.

Gophers women's basketball looks to bounce back after season's first loss

Minnesota returns to action Wednesday at home against Jackson State after falling to 10-1 with a 19-point loss at Nebraska.
Nebraska's Allison Weidner, right, drives to the basket while the Gophers' Sophie Hart defends on Sunday in Lincoln, Neb.

Gophers women's basketball team sinks quickly at No. 25 Nebraska, ending run of perfection

Minnesota, unable to stop the Huskers inside or out, trailed by double digits in the first few minutes.
Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini celebrates a three-pointer during a game against Las Vegas on May 29 at Target Center.

Lynx lose Zandalasini in WNBA expansion draft

Golden State Valkyries pluck veteran forward from Minnesota roster.
Gophers guard Tori McKinney (14) drives to the basket and scores against North Florida defenders Sarah Taub (4) and Sydney Pettis (20) in the first ha

Gophers improve to to 10-0 with 90-44 rout of North Florida

Grace Grocholski made five three-pointers in 18 minutes as the Gophers went to their bench early against the overmatched Ospreys.
Gophers forward Mallory Heyer (24) battles for a loose ball against Montana's Aby Shubert (11), of Kasson, Minn., on Nov. 24 at Williams Arena.

Gophers women's basketball aims for 10-0 start with North Florida next

The Gophers face the Ospreys in their final tune-up before Big Ten play begins Sunday at Nebraska.
New Lynx associate head coach Eric Thibault, left, joined coach Cheryl Reeve and assistant Lindsay Whalen at a news conference at Target Center on Mon

New Lynx assistants Thibault, Whalen should provide seamless transition

The Lynx also released their schedule for the 2025 season; they'll play the New York Liberty four times.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve jokes with new assistant Lindsay Whalen at Target Center on Monday.

Lindsay Whalen returns: 'I needed time to, like, really miss it'

After watching the Lynx from the sidelines last season, the Hall of Famer is eager to return as an assistant coach.
Gophers forward Mallory Heyer works on her game in practice last season.


ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN2310311557540214

Gophers get a complete game from Mallory Heyer in win over Louisiana

Minnesota's women's basketball team improved to 9-0 with its second victory in the Big Easy Classic.
Lindsay Whalen led Lynx fans in cheering during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center on Oct. 18.

Lindsay Whalen returns to Lynx as assistant coach

The Lynx said their Hall of Fame point guard will join the team as an assistant coach along with former Washington Mystics coach Eric Thibault, who will be associate head coach.
The Gophers' Grace Grocholski, shown during an early November game, led the team in scoring Friday against Houston with 18 points.

Gophers victory reveals spotty offense and all the defense anybody needs

Minnesota's women's basketball team improved to 8-0 despite shooting below 40%, and this might explain it: Houston shot 25.9 percent.
Statistics have been on an uptick for 14 games now for the Gophers' Amaya Battle.

Battle's importance grows along with her statistics

A junior point guard, she is 14 games deep in her emergence as a scoring threat, and Maya Braun's recent injury means those points are needed.
Gophers junior Mara Braun has been instrumental to the team's success when healthy.

Gophers star Braun to have foot surgery; uncertain if she'll return this season

Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit said it's "way too early to tell" whether Mara Braun will return this season or use a medical redshirt.
Alissa Pili was the Lynx's first round pick in the WNBA draft this spring, but could be taken in the expansion draft by Golden State if she is unprote

Lynx can protect six players from Valkyries in WNBA expansion draft

The expansion draft for Golden State is Dec. 6, and league teams have to submit their protected lists on Monday.
Gophers center Sophie Hart battles against Montana forward Dani Bartsch on Sunday at Williams Arena. Hart scored 16 points in 17 minutes in the Gopher

Gophers women's basketball improves to 7-0, dominate Montana in second game without Braun

Tori McKinney had another strong performance with 13 points as the Gophers ask for more from the freshman following the foot injury to leading scorer Mara Braun.
Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit gestures during the second half og Wednesday's game against Eastern Illinois.

Gophers women's basketball plays host to Montana

The Grizzlies have already beaten a Big Ten team this season.
Gophers guard Mara Braun shouts from the bench with her booted right foot propped on the raised floor of Williams Arena during Minnesota's 81-52 nonco

Injured leading scorer watches Gophers women's basketball team win without her

Mara Braun was wearing a walking boot on her right foot before the game against Eastern Illinois. That's the same foot that wrecked last season.
Gophers forward Mallory Heyer gives UMass Lowell guard Amina Kameric little room to shoot on Nov. 12 at Williams Arena.

Gophers' depth, defense and turnover ratio have helped fuel their 5-0 start

The Gophers women's basketball team enters Wednesday's game against Eastern Illinois with facets of its game coming together well. It's an experienced team and it shows.
The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, left, and the Kings' De'Aaron Fox meet again, shaking hands after Fox scored 60 points and Edwards scored 36.

Timberwolves push back in OT, top Kings despite Fox's 60 points

Anthony Edwards scored 36, coming up big as his team blew a 20-point lead but ended a three-game losing streak anyway.
Sylvia Fowles (34), shown in a 2018 game, will become the eighth Lynx player inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Former Lynx standout Fowles makes Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

The center, part of two WNBA champions in Minnesota, will become the eighth player from the franchise to be inducted.
Coach Dawn Plitzuweit and the Gophers are in Tempe, Ariz., this weekend for two tournament games.

After quick start, Gophers women face challenging weekend

Briann January Classic will give team step up after three opening victories.
Gophers forward Taylor Woodson (20) strips the ball from UMass Lowell guard Amina Kameric (1) before scoring in the closing seconds of the first half

Gophers women's basketball dominates UMass Lowell for 3-0 start

The competition gets tougher for the Gophers after a third consecutive home victory to start the season.
The Gophers have opened their season with victories over Central Connecticut State and Vermont.

Gophers women's basketball aims for 3-0 start, as UMass-Lowell visits

The Gophers have a busy week ahead. After playing host to the River Hawks, Minnesota heads to Tempe, Ariz., for games against Oregon State (Saturday) and SMU (Sunday).
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, left, with Cheryl Reeve, Lynx coach and president of basketball operations, and Lynx General Manager Clare Duwelius

GM Clare Duwelius and associate head coach Katie Smith leave Lynx

Duwelius will be an executive with the new Unrivaled league, while Smith is headed to Ohio State.
Gophers guard Amaya Battle drives toward the basket in the first half at Williams Arena on Friday.

Rallying behind Twinums tandem, Gophers dispatch Vermont

Each scored 21 points, with Mara Braun including eight steals in her hefty stat line and Amaya Battle throwing five assists into her contribution.
Gophers guard Amaya Battle (3) strips the ball from Central Connecticut forward Alonna Sellers (22) in Monday's victory at Williams Arena.

After dominant opener, Gophers women's basketball works to improve its tempo

The Gophers were rushed too often against Central Connecticut and will need to control their speed Friday in what's expected to be a tougher challenge against Vermont.
Gophers guard Mara Braun (10) drives the ball toward the basket before scoring a layup against Central Connecticut on Monday night at Williams Arena.

U women cruise past Central Connecticut 89-48 in season opener

Minnesota's bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.
Gopher women’s basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit, middle, has five starters back and has bolstered the team's depth this season.

Gophers' Plitzuweit sees improvement she wanted entering Year Two

"We're better than we were last year," Gophers women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit said. "We're deeper, we have more athleticism and we're stronger, too."
Gophers guard Amaya Battle will look to build off they way she played toward the end of last season.

Gophers women's basketball-Central Connecticut State game preview

In the season opener, the Gophers will face a Central Connecticut State team picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference.
Gophers basketball player Taylor Woodson, left, greets Amaya Battle at practice. 



The University of Minnesota Gopher women’s basketball practiced

Gophers women's basketball veterans and newcomers already connected

For new Gophers such as Taylor Woodson, coming home to play at Minnesota is an extension of their time together in high school.
Lynx guard Diamond Miller was on the WNBA all-rookie team in 2023 but struggled with injuries in 2024.

Diamond Miller faces important offseason after falling out of Lynx's rotation

After making the WNBA all-rookie team in 2023, former Maryland standout Diamond Miller watched the 2024 playoffs from the bench.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve speaks at a season-ending news conference on Tuesday at Mayo Clinic Courts in Minneapolis.

Lynx had special season, but WNBA Finals loss motivates star Napheesa Collier

The team's starters looked back at their success at a news conference two days after a wrenching overtime loss in New York.
Lynx All-Star Napheesa Collier watches the final seconds of Sunday's 67-62 overtime loss to the Liberty in deciding Game 5 of the WNBA Finals after fo

Looking ahead: What's next for Collier, McBride and the rest of the Lynx?

All five starters are under contract for next season, and salary cap changes appear head for a league rising in popularity.
Jonquel Jones of the Liberty was the MVP of the WNBA Finals after New York beat the Lynx 67-62 in overtime for their first league championship.

Liberty outlast Lynx 67-62 in overtime in Game 5 for first WNBA title

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve had harsh words for the officials after a controversial late call in regulation enabled New York to force overtime. Minnesota was seeking a record fifth crown.
Cheryl Reeve directed the Lynx through a practice last week at Target Center. During a shootaround Sunday for Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, Reeve said if

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve would consider an NBA job

The Lynx are in the WNBA Finals for the seventh time under Reeve.
The Lynx, including from left Dorka Juhasz, Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride, celebrate at the end of the game. The Minnesota Lynx forced a deciding

Lynx beat Liberty, force decisive Game 5

Bridget Carleton hit two free throws with two seconds left to lift the Lynx to a Game 4 victory.
Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) hits the second of two free throws after being fouled with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter aga

With season on line, Lynx center Smith answers bell

Smith has been playing despite a balky back and was in the lineup for Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.
Courtney Williams (top) of the Lynx and Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty battled under the boards Wednesday night at Target Center.

Lynx have no margin for error in WNBA Finals: 'We are going to answer the call'

The Liberty can win their first league title Friday night at Target Center. If they don't, Game 5 will be Sunday in New York.
Alanna Smith of the Lynx was knocked to the floor by New York's Jonquel Jones in Wednesday night's game at Target Center.

Lynx center Smith is injured but will gut it out for Game 4

A back injury is bothering the WNBA all-defensive team player, and the Lynx might need a deeper bench to compensate.
It was all a blur Wednesday night as Courtney Williams and the Lynx fell to the New York Liberty.

WNBA Finals, Liberty vs. Lynx, Game 4 preview: TV-radio information, injury report, key players

New York leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can win its first title Friday night at Target Center.
Sabrina Ionescu (20) of the New York Liberty makes a three-pointer in the final minute of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center in Minneapolis on

Liberty beat Lynx to get within a game of WNBA title

Sabrina Ionescu's long three pointer with one second left broke a tie and gave New York the 80-77 victory in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center.
Napheesa Collier (23) of the Minnesota Lynx attempts a shot in the first half during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center in Minneapolis on Wedn

Collier, Stewart, Clark, Wilson and Thomas are first-team All-WNBA

Napheesa Collier and league MVP A'ja Wilson were unanimous selections, and it's the second consecutive year for Collier on the first team.
Courtney Williams and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve compare notes Tuesday at Target Center.

Lynx guard Courtney Williams: She's funny, she's tough, she's the 'head of the snake'

As the WNBA Finals moves to Minnesota, the Lynx and Liberty are tied at one in the best-of-five series.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve ran her team through practice Tuesday at Target Center.

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve says Game 3 of WNBA Finals at Target Center will sell out

The arena's upper bowl will be opened for Games 3 and 4 after it was closed off for the first two rounds.
Napheesa Collier of the Lynx went through practice Tuesday at Target Center.

WNBA Finals: Liberty-Lynx Game 3 preview with TV information and injury report

The best-of-five series is tied 1-1 as the teams meet at Target Center in Minneapolis.
From left, Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and guards Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams watch the final moments of their 80-66 loss to the Liberty in

Determined Liberty blunt Lynx's rally this time in WNBA Finals

After coming back from 18 down in Game 1, the Lynx tried to do something similar in Game 2, but the Liberty persevered with a dozen points in a row at the end.
Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton put up two of her 20 points in the first half.

Healthier, Liberty's Laney-Hamilton makes a difference in Game 2

The New York wing dealt with a knee injury this season, but her coach had seen signs of improvement, and it showed Sunday.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and guard Natisha Hiedeman share a laugh during shootaround Saturday in New York.

As Lynx play in WNBA Finals, Reeve cements her status

It's Cheryl Reeve's seventh appearance in the championship series, she's won a record-tying four titles, and she coached Team USA to Olympic gold this summer.
The Lynx players celebrate as a group after their overtime win Thursday.

WNBA Finals Game 2 preview: Series fires back up after a dramatic opening

The Minnesota Lynx rallied from 18 points down to win in overtime, but events may have inspired New York Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart.
The Lynx, including Napheesa Collier, upper left, celebrate their win over the Liberty on Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Huge shots by the Lynx were memorable, but they won Game 1 of the WNBA Finals with defense

The Lynx Game 1 victory was the only game in WNBA playoff history — out of 184 — where a team trailed by 15 or more points with five minutes remaining in regulation and rallied to win
New York guard Breanna Stewart was fouled on the final play of regulation by Napheesa Collier, right, of the Lynx on Thursday in Brooklyn.

Missed opportunities cost Liberty in WNBA Finals loss to Lynx

Breanna Stewart, a two-time league MVP, missed a crucial free throw, then a game-tying layup in overtime
Lynx forward Alanna Smith hugs guard Courtney Williams (10) after she sunk a field goal in the fourth quarter. Minnesota came from behind to defeat th

Lynx pull off a rally and OT victory over Liberty in Game 1 of WNBA Finals

Napheesa Collier hit a tiebreaking jumper with 8.8 seconds left in OT after the team overcame an 18-point deficit early and a 15-point deficit late.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, speaking before the draft in April.

WNBA reveals plan for best-of-seven Finals and a longer regular season

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the season likely will go deeper into October. She also said the league is taking steps to combat racism and bullying.
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrated the team advancing to the WNBA Finals. The Minnesota Lyn

Lynx roar into WNBA Finals by beating Sun

The Lynx had a dominant first quarter to cruise to an 88-77 victory to take the semifinal series 3-2.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) was double-teamed by Sun forwards Alyssa Thomas (25) and Brionna Jones (42) as they battled for a rebound Sunday in

Lynx have one final advantage in WNBA semifinals: Home court in Game 5

After splitting the first four games, the Lynx and Connecticut Sun play Tuesday night for a spot in the league finals.
Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) clashes with Sun guard Veronica Burton (22) as Burton passes under the basket in the second quarter of Connecticu

Lynx-Sun Game 5 preview: One game at Target Center for a trip to the WNBA Finals

The team have been evenly matched in the series, with only six points separating them over four games.
Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) is fouled by Sun guard Veronica Burton (22) as she shot against Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) in the second quarter

Lynx, Sun to play decisive Game 5 after Connecticut rallies for victory

The Sun came from behind in the second half to send the WNBA semifinals back to Target Center on Tuesday night.
Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) puts up a second-quarter shot between Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) and guard DiJonai Carrington (21) on Friday nig

Lynx look to make most of their few advantages, close out Sun on road

The Lynx and Sun appear to be pretty evenly matched, but the Lynx managed to get the upper hand in Game 3 thanks to some strong shooting and production off the bench.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) drove around Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington in the fourth quarter of Friday's playoff game.

Lynx-Sun Game 4 preview: TV information, key players, forecast

The Lynx look to close out the series in Connecticut to avoid a winner-take-all Game 5 at Target Center.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) put up two of her game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Connecticut Sun 90-81 in Game 3 of their WN

WNBA playoffs Game 3: Lynx cruise past Sun in Connecticut for 2-1 series lead

Napheesa Collier scored 26 points and had plenty of help from her teammates as the Lynx moved within one game of their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2017.
Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith were key players for the Lynx in Tuesday's victory over the Sun at Target Center.

Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith typify Lynx teamwork

When teams focus on stopping Napheesa Collier, the Lynx have an answer with other standout players.
Lynx players celebrate as they head for a victory in Game 2 at Target Center on Tuesday night.

Lynx-Sun Game 3 preview: TV information, key players, forecast

The best-of-five WNBA semifinal series moves to Connecticut for the next two games.
Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) shoots while defended by Connecticut's DeWanna Bonner on Tuesday night at Target Center.

Lynx block out Sun to even WNBA playoff semifinal series

A balanced scoring attack was key in the Lynx's 77-70 victory after Connecticut played tough defense on star Napheesa Collier.
Alanna Smith of the Lynx shoots against Alyssa Thomas of the Sun on Sunday night at Target Center.

Lynx looking to come back in Game 2 vs. Sun

The Lynx didn't lose back-to-back games at Target Center in the regular season.
Minnesota Lynx forward Myisha Hines-Allen couldn’t believe a ref’s call in the fourth quarter.

Lynx fall to Sun 73-70 in Game 1 of semifinals

The third-seeded Sun took Game 1 of the best-of-five WNBA semifinal series with a 73-70 victory over the second-seeded Lynx at Target Center.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, also the team's president of basketball operations, talks with a referee during a September game at Target Center.

Lynx's Reeve is WNBA Coach, Executive of the Year

MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier is the league's top defensive player, and Alanna Smith also makes the all-defensive team.
Lynx forward Alanna Smith will have her hands full with Connecticut's Brionna Jones during the WNBA semifinals, just as she did in a game July 4 at Ta

Lynx center Smith, her career finally revived, found a perfect spot in Minnesota

One of many unsung players on the Lynx, Australian Olympian Alanna Smith finds herself in the WNBA semifinals.
Napheesa Collier of the Lynx celebrates Wednesday after her team beat the Mercury at Target Center and advanced to the WNBA semifinals.

Lynx-Sun series preview: TV info, key players, key stats

Minnesota and Connecticut meet in the second round of the WNBA playoffs starting Sunday.
Myisha Hines-Allen (22) of the Lynx collides with Mercury guards Sophie Cunningham (9) and Kahleah Copper during Wednesday night's game at Target Cent

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve expects second-round series vs. Sun to be much lower scoring

The Sun and Lynx ranked first and second, respectively, in the WNBA in defensive rating during the regular season.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrated the Lynx 101-88 win over the Phoenix Mercury at the end of the game Wednesday at Target Center

Napheesa Collier ties WNBA record as Lynx advance in playoffs

Collier scored 42 points as the Lynx rolled past the Mercury to sweep the first-round series.
Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, right, works around Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman on Sunday on her way to a 33-point, 10-assist effort in Game 1 of the WNB

Lynx face Mercury in Game 2 vowing to play better defense

Despite giving up 95 points in Game 1, the Lynx lead the best-of-three WNBA playoff series.