Jan. 6, 2004 — The Lynx selected guard Helen Darling with the seventh overall selection in the 2004 WNBA Dispersal Draft. Darling, a three-year WNBA veteran, averaged 5.0 points, 3.1 assists and 1.12 steals in 98 games during her three seasons with the Cleveland Rockers.

A 5-6 guard from Penn State, Darling was selected by Cleveland in the second round (17th overall) of the 2000 WNBA Draft. In 2003, she averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 assists and 24.5 minutes in 34 regular-season contests (all starts), helping to lead the Rockers (17-17) to the 2003 WNBA Playoffs. She missed the entire 2002 WNBA season after giving birth to triplets. Darling averaged a career-high 6.1 points in 2001, and was one of only two Rockers to play and start all 32 regular-season games. While a rookie with the Rockers in 2000, Darling played alongside Lynx head coach Suzie McConnell Serio.

"We're very excited to have Helen in Minnesota," said McConnell Serio. "She brings a great deal of leadership as well as experience to the team. We were thrilled that she was available with the seventh pick."

Darling tallied 10.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.3 apg and 2.49 spg in her 126-game collegiate career at Penn State. As a senior, she won the Naismith Award for small player of the year and was named a Kodak All-American. She was the first player in Penn State history to earn Big Ten Player of the Year, and the lone player in school history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 600 assists.