Rush-Henrietta grad Shenise Johnson is leading the Minnesota Lynx as the WNBA returns to action.

After missing most of her final two seasons with the Indiana Fever, Johnson is back and healthy. When the COVID pandemic hit, Johnson was playing in a pro league in Israel. Her mother, Michelle, works for the CDC in Rochester and her sister, Shawntalae is a nurse working on the front lines everyday so she is very aware of the pandemic and the overwhelming numbers.

The Lynx have been trying to return from losing three of the league's biggest stars; Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen. One of the top franchises in the WNBA, with four league titles, the Lynx are now trying to return to the top of the league and with a veteran leader like Johnson, they have the players to make a run. The WNBA bubble is at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Johnson leading Rush-Henrietta to the State finals four straight years and was a two-time All-American at Miami before being drafted by the San Antonio Stars. In 2015, she led the Fever to the WNBA Finals where they lost to the Lynx. The following season, Johnson suffered a knee injury in practice 15 games into the season. She came back the following season but the injury didn't heal right and she needed another season to recover.

Healthy and happy, Johnson is ready to go. "There's a bit of a chip on my shoulder for sure, for sure because when I went down the talk was, she should be an All Star, she will be an All Star next year. That drive is still there for me and I wanna achieve that success because I know it's there," she says.

The Lynx open the season Sunday at Noon against Connecticut.