Jessica Shepard

28-Year-Old CenterC
 Minnesota Lynx  WNBA
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Shepard sat out the 2024 season while fulfilling obligations with her team in Italy, but she re-signed with the Lynx in mid-April and should be back in the WNBA in 2025. She's had a consistent role over her last two seasons with Minnesota, averaging 8.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 26.5 minutes per game while starting in 39 of 57 regular-season appearances during that time. Bridget Carleton took on a starting role in Shepard's absence last year, while the Lynx also acquired Alanna Smith ahead of the 2024 campaign, and she served exclusively as a starter during her first season with the team. It's unclear whether Shepard will have a starting role now that she's back in the WNBA, but she could have increased opportunities after Dorka Juhasz announced that she'd sit out the 2025 season due to personal reasons. If Carleton and Smith retain starting roles, Shepard could be forced to come off the bench and compete with Karlie Samuelson and Diamond Miller for playing time. Read Past Outlooks
Thriving off the bench
CMinnesota Lynx
May 24, 2025
Shepard totaled 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, four assists and one block in 25 minutes during Friday's 76-70 victory over Connecticut.
ANALYSIS
Shepard appears to have a defined role on this Lynx team as the primary frontcourt reserve. This marked her third game with 25+ fantasy points, through four appearances. Consistency is key for Shepard, who will look to build on her strong start in Minnesota's next matchup against Seattle.
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Average Fantasy Points
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Jessica Shepard was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
Shepard appeared in every game during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, but she missed significant time last year. She missed 12 games between June and July due to an illness and was out for the final eight games of the season due to an ankle injury. When she was on the court, her numbers remained steady from her 2022 marks, as she averaged 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 26.9 minutes per game over 21 appearances (17 starts) last year. Shepard announced in late January that she will forgo the 2024 WNBA season in order to fulfill contract obligations with her overseas club in Italy.
Shepard didn't have a fantasy-relevant role during her first two seasons in the league but took a step forward last year. She drew her first career starts to begin the regular season, and while she settled for a bench role over a month-long span between June and July, her overall production was much better than it had been in the past. The 26-year-old averaged 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26.1 minutes per game over 36 appearances (22 starts), and she has a path toward a prominent role in Minnesota's frontcourt now that Sylvia Fowles has retired. That said, Napheesa Collier returns to the fold after missing most of 2022, so Shepard still has some hurdles to clear, but she should still claim a healthy role in 2023.
Shepard played exclusively off the bench in 2021 and averaged just 2.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game across 22 appearances. While more frontcourt minutes will be available for the Lynx for much of the 2022 campaign with Napheesa Collier slated to miss time due to her pregnancy, Shepard is far from a sure bet to see consistent playing time and would likely need some minutes help to near fantasy consideration in most formats.
More Fantasy News
Double-doubles off bench
CMinnesota Lynx
May 19, 2025
Shepard closed with 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists across 30 minutes during Sunday's 89-75 win over Los Angeles.
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Not starting Sunday
CMinnesota Lynx
May 18, 2025
Shepard isn't starting Sunday's game against the Sparks, Mitchell Hansen of CanisHoopus.com reports.
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Starts in regular-season opener
CMinnesota Lynx
May 17, 2025
Shepard provided 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal over 29 minutes during Friday's 99-84 victory over the Wings.
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Starting Saturday
CMinnesota Lynx
May 10, 2025
Shepard is in the Lynx's starting lineup against the Sky in Saturday's preseason game, Mitchell Hansen of CanisHoopus.com reports.
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Not on injury report
CMinnesota Lynx
May 9, 2025
Shepard (groin) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's preseason game against the Sky, Matt Cohen of Winsidr.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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