It hasn’t been the smoothest buildup to the season for Kayla McBride, who battled multiple injuries during her offseason. But now back with the Minnesota Lynx, she is already turning heads in training camp, and head coach Cheryl Reeve has made it clear she is impressed.

Speaking during training camp, Reeve highlighted McBride’s physical transformation and approach, saying, “She looks great, she’s excited about the work she’s put in on her body.” At 33, Reeve emphasized that prioritizing health is essential, adding, “that’s the name of the game as you age,” and calling McBride “really smart for the process she’s taking.”

McBride confirmed in a recent interview that she is down approximately 16 pounds from last season. She even joked that she has ditched her signature shooting sleeves to “show off” the transformation.

Reeve also pointed to McBride’s presence in camp, saying, “I think she’s excited, her energy has been just terrific. She feels great, which is the most important thing, and she’s excited for the season.”

McBride is coming off one of the best seasons of her career in 2025. She established herself as one of the league’s most dangerous shooters, hitting 39.5% from three on high volume and becoming the first player in WNBA history to knock down eight three-pointers without a miss in a single half. She carried that form into the playoffs, averaging 20.0 points across six games, including a 31-point performance against the Phoenix Mercury.

The initial setback was a quad injury sustained during the offseason while playing with Fenerbahçe in Turkey, later classified as a minor soft tissue issue. She returned to action by early February but then suffered a second issue, a ruptured eardrum, while traveling back to the United States, which required a procedure. Reeve has since said McBride is “markedly better,” though her status for the May 10 season opener remains uncertain.

The 2026 season will mark McBride’s 13th in the WNBA and her sixth with Minnesota, and her leadership has become a key part of the team’s identity. “She kind of has that way about her, she enjoys taking care of the group,” Reeve said. After starting all 39 games last season, she remains a core veteran presence and is expected to return to the starting lineup once fully healthy.

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The Lynx prioritized bringing McBride back in free agency, signing her to a two-year, $2.44 million contract extension that keeps her in Minnesota through the 2027 season.

McBride’s return became even more important after the departures of key contributors like Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton. Reeve made that clear, saying, “There aren’t enough words to express what Kayla McBride means to the Minnesota Lynx franchise. Her commitment and love for our organization are special, and I’m excited to continue to be part of her incredible career.”

The five-time All-Star remains one of the Lynx’s most important pieces. Last season, she averaged 14.2 points and a career-high 3.5 assists while ranking second in the league in made three-pointers with 103 and fourth in free-throw percentage at 90.5%, production that underscores her value to a team with championship ambitions.

Minnesota opens preseason play on April 25 against the Washington Mystics, with the regular season tipping off May 10 against the Atlanta Dream. McBride’s availability for those early games remains uncertain, but her progress in camp is an encouraging sign for what lies ahead.