If you've been to a Lynx game over the past three years, you know Vanessa Hayden-Johnson's free-throw routine. First it's the hair flip, followed by the wiping of the brow and concluded by "tossing" the sweat to the court… it’s a habit that undoubtedly stirs Lynx fans into a frenzy and brings the Lynx faithful to its feet. That's just what Hayden-Johnson exemplifies on the hardwood; she brings a certain swagger, strut and confidence with her to the court.

After sitting out the entire 2007 season due to the birth of her first child, Hayden-Johnson returned to training camp in '08 ready to man her position down low.

Hayden-Johnson often creates match-up problems for the opposition due to her combination of size and skills with her back to the basket. She can score with a right-handed jump hook, a quick turnaround to the baseline or a drop step. She even has a soft 10-foot jumper, a shot she uses to keep her defenders honest and on their heals. Those post moves and more helped Hayden-Johnson shoot a career-best 44.5FG% from the floor during the 2008 season, her fourth in a Lynx uniform.

After her return to the WNBA in '08, Hayden-Johnson has returned overseas, this time to Italy where she is once again proving to be a difficult match-up for most clubs. As of Nov. 9, in six games for Umana Venezia of Italy's LegA Basket Femminile, Hayden Johnson is averaging 10.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.6 blocks in 21.6 mpg. Included in her five starts are three double-doubles and a 10-point, 11-rebound, four-block game. Hayden-Johnson and company are off to a 4-1 start in league play.

Hayden-Johnson and her teammates are enjoying even more success in EuroLeague play and are off to a perfect 5-0 start, which includes a recent win over traditional power CSKA Moscow, a team that features notable WNBA players such as Anne Wauters, Becky Hammon, Katie Douglas and Janel McCarville. In the 66-63 win over CSKA Moscow, Hayden-Johnson tallied team highs with 19 points and 13 rebounds. After the game, Hayden-Johnson's coach, Massimo Riga, called the win a monumental win for the club. "This was an historic day for Reyer and Italian basketball overall," stated Riga.

Through five games, Hayden-Johnson boasts averages of 14.6 ppg, 9.0 rebounds and 22.4 mpg, including a 23-point, nine-rebound performance in a win over MKB Euroleasing. For her efforts, Hayden-Johnson ranks eighth in the league in rebounding (9.0), seventh in double-doubles (2) and 11th in field goal accuracy (55.6%).

For more information and to stay up to date with Hayden Johnson in Italy, please click here.