Bridget Carleton, born on May 22, 1997, in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, is a professional basketball player celebrated for her sharpshooting and versatility on the court.
Currently a forward for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Çukurova Basketbol of the Turkish Super League, Carleton has carved out a remarkable career that spans college basketball at Iowa State University and international play with the Canadian national team.
Known for her tenacity and skill, she has become a standout figure in women’s basketball, earning accolades and the admiration of fans worldwide.
Siblings
Bridget has two sisters, Rachel and Sarah.
While detailed public information about her siblings is limited, it is known that she has an older sister who played a role in exposing Bridget to basketball at a young age.
Career
Carleton began making waves at Iowa State University from 2015 to 2019, where she established herself as one of the Cyclones’ all-time greats.
After a stellar college tenure, she was selected in the second round (21st overall) of the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun.
However, her initial stint was brief, as she was released after just four games.
Undeterred, Carleton signed a seven-day contract with the Minnesota Lynx in August 2019, eventually earning a roster spot for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Her career took off in 2020 when she became a key contributor for the Lynx, stepping up in the absence of injured star Sylvia Fowles.
On August 5, 2020, Carleton made history as only the third WNBA player to score 25 or more points and grab five or more rebounds in her first career start, a feat accomplished against the New York Liberty.
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The 2024 season marked a breakout year, with Carleton doubling her playing time from 2023, starting in all but three games, and averaging a career-high 9.6 points per game.
Her clutch performances, including a game-winning three-pointer against the Connecticut Sun on September 17, 2024, solidified her role as a vital part of the Lynx’s Finals-contending roster.
Internationally, Carleton has been a mainstay for Canada since her debut with the U16 team in 2013, where she captained the squad to a silver medal. She competed in the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), and the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, showcasing her skills on the global stage.
Accolades
Carleton’s trophy case reflects her excellence at every level of her career.
During her time at Iowa State, she was named the 2019 Big 12 Player of the Year and won the Cheryl Miller Award as the nation’s top small forward.
She earned multiple All-American honors, including First Team (WBCA, 2019), Second Team (ESPN, AP, 2019), and Third Team (USBWA, 2019).
Carleton finished her college career second on Iowa State’s all-time scoring list with 2,142 points, setting a program record for career scoring average (17.3 points per game) until it was surpassed in 2023.
She also ranks third in Cyclones history for field goals (713), steals (211), and blocked shots (124).
In the WNBA, Carleton’s 2024 season brought further recognition.
She ranked fifth in the league for three-point shooting percentage and won the Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award for her kindness, selflessness, and community impact with the Lynx.
Her teammates and coaches have praised her evolution, with head coach Cheryl Reeve noting, “This Bridget is the one we’ve always envisioned,” and star Napheesa Collier crediting her with deserving the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup MVP honors for her 23-point performance in the championship game.
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