Before coach Kim Mulkey ever saw her new Russian center practice, she threw out the word "special" and compared her to the greatest basketball player ever born in Eastern Europe.
Mulkey calls Anna Minaeva "baby Jokic." As in the three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who led the Denver Nuggets to a league title in 2023. Both players are tall and strong with a soft touch, refined footwork and a knack for setting up teammates with open looks.