Lindsay Marie Whalen (born May 9, 1982 in Hutchinson, Minnesota) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun. She also played for USK Prague in the Czech Republic during the 2008–09 WNBA off-season.
At Hutchinson High School in Hutchinson, Minnesota, Lindsay Whalen was a 4-time All-Missota Conference pick, and she led her team to three consecutive conference basketball championships. Whalen was a four-time honorable mention all-state selection. She averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a junior.
Whalen also won a state title and placed 13th nationally with her club team, the Minnesota Jaguars. She was also an All-Conference selection in tennis and track.
The University of Minnesota women's basketball program rose to national prominence during Whalen's college career. The average attendance at women’s basketball games grew from 1,087 during her freshman season to 9,866 her senior year. She became Minnesota’s all-time leading scorer on January 25, 2004 against Michigan State, surpassing 1994 Wade Trophy Winner Carol Ann Shudlick. Whalen finished her career with 2,285 points, fifth best in Big Ten Conference history.
Paul Gardner Allen (born January 21, 1953) is an American investor and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, a leading developer of personal-computer software systems and applications. He is also the 48th richest person in the world along with Germán Larrea Mota-Velasco (and family) who ranks the same with an estimated wealth of $14.2 billion as of March 2012.. He is the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., which manages his business and philanthropic efforts. Allen also has a multi-billion dollar investment portfolio which includes technology companies, real estate holdings, and stakes in other technology, media, and content companies. Allen also owns two professional sports teams, the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), and the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is also part-owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, which joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2009. Allen's memoir Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft was released on April 19, 2011.
Janel McCarville (born November 3, 1982 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin) is an American professional basketball player. She currently is a Center for the WNBA's New York Liberty.
McCarville attended Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) (Wisconsin), where she led her school to a 59–11 record over her final three years.
As a senior, McCarville averaged 19.4 ppg and led her team to a runner-up finish in the 2001 Wisconsin Division I State Tournament. She had tournament averages of 21.7 ppg and 14.7 rpg. She shared the Wisconsin Player of the Year award with Mistie Williams (née Bass) and was honored as an AAU All-American and a member of the 2001 all-state first team.
McCarville was a standout collegiate women's basketball player for the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities).
McCarville started all four years during her time with the Golden Gophers, playing alongside her teammate Lindsay Whalen, and turned the program around from being the worst in the Big Ten Conference into a Final Four team in 2004.