![Ariya Smith, a 14-year-old from Colorado, had some one-on-one time with Lynx star Maya Moore as she stretched before Thursday night's game against Seattle. Smith is suffering from systemic lupus and is visiting Moore and the Lynx with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Smith was introduced as a starter with the team and had the chance to join the team on the bench during Thursday night's game. ] Aaron Lavinsky ï aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Lynx play the Seattle Storm on Thursday,](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FWDSG44WCYVS6QUENDB3DDUBZ4.jpg?&w=712)
Ariya Smith, a 14-year-old from Colorado, was an honorary member of the Lynx during Thursday night's game against Seattle.
Smith, who has systemic lupus, visited stars Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and the rest of the team thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was introduced as a starter and joined the players on the bench during the game.
Smith's been a fan of Moore's for years and practiced with her Wednesday before the Lynx surprised her with a contract and jersey.
![Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen rubbed the shoulders of Ariya Smith, a 14-year-old from Colorado suffering from systemic lupus, before Thursday night's Lynx game against the Seattle Storm. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Lynx play the Seattle Storm on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. ORG XMIT: MIN1506112000300765](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MMFYMGFLR7DJATWMVS3ZBMIIVU.jpg?&w=712)
![Ariya Smith, a 14-year-old from Colorado suffering from systemic lupus, looked on as the crowd cheered for her during her introduction as part of the Lynx Thursday. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Lynx play the Seattle Storm on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. ORG XMIT: MIN1506112000320766](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TYKOTUYAUMH75UBMV4D6LMCKZQ.jpg?&w=712)
