TORONTO, Ontario — From her hometown of Chatham, Ontario, to Ames and Minneapolis, Bridget Carleton makes headlines whereever she goes. Now, the Iowa State basketball alum and Minnesota Lynx player is headed to Paris.
Carleton was officially named to Canada's Olympic women's basketball team Tuesday, marking the start of her second Olympics berth.
Carleton was a four-year starter at Iowa State from 2015-2019. While in college, Carleton earned multiple All-America nods, and became Iowa State's first Big 12 Player of the Year.
The 6'1" forward capped off her time in Ames with a decidedly impressive season, averaging 21.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4 assists.
"From the first time I talked to Bridget she was focused on representing Canada in the Olympics," said head coach Bill Fennelly in a statement. "She was a great player at Iowa State, and we take great pride that we have been a part of her journey. I am so proud of her and look forward to watching her in Paris this summer."
Carleton began competing with Team Canada in 2013 and first appeared on the Senior Women's National Team Roster in 2016. She made her Olympic debut in Tokyo, in which she played the second-most minutes on Team Canada and tied as the team's number two scorer.
Carleton joined the WNBA in April 2019 following her time with the Cyclones. Carleton briefly played with the Connecticut Sun, before signing with the Minnesota Lynx in August 2019.
Five years into her professional career, Carleton is making waves: Most recently, she scored 23 points to help the Lynx win their first Commissioner's Cup championship over the New York Liberty.
The Lynx celebrated Carleton's achievement Tuesday, surprising her with balloons and Team Canada merch in a video posted by the team.
"You guys know how much representing Canada means to me," Carleton told her teammates in the video. "The Olympics has always been a dream of mine."