Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now
Gonzaga Women's Basketball

Former Gonzaga standout Jill Barta released by Minnesota Lynx

Stanford forward Alanna Smith tries to knock the ball away form Gonzaga forward Jill Barta during a first-round game in the NCAA Tournament in Palo Alto, California, on March 17. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

Four weeks after going in the third round of the WNBA draft, former Gonzaga star Jill Barta was released Thursday by the Minnesota Lynx.

Barta, who led GU in scoring the last three seasons, was trying to catch on with the defending WNBA champs after originally being drafted by Las Vegas last month.

The 6-foot-3 Barta appeared in one preseason game for the Lynx, getting four points, three rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes.

Barta was not available for comment, but said earlier this year that she plans to teach special education classes in her native Montana.

After redshirting in 2014-15, Barta quickly emerged as a key player for the Zags. In three seasons, she averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.

With 1,620 points, Barta is the fourth-leading scorer in school history. She ranks first in career defensive rebounds per game with 4.6 and free-throw percentage at 85.2 percent.

Barta averaged 18.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season.