Lynx guard Monica Wright expects to see a lot of family members and friends Wednesday night when the Lynx play the Washington Mystics at the Verizon Center, a short drive from her parents' home. Her father, Garry, has invited nearly everyone he knows to be there.
"So many people, it's crazy," his only daughter said.
He's a proud dad. And Monica is thankful he will be there.
Last summer Garry Wright, 58, had a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest. He survived but was unconscious for five days. He also suffered a minor stroke.
Wright missed five Lynx games between July 29 and Aug. 7 last season to be with her father. She was in his hospital room whenever permitted and snuck in a few other times. "Me and my dad are very close. I am Daddy's girl," she said.
When she was a toddler, her father would take her to the gym when he played basketball. Later, when she became a three-sport athlete, it was his turn to watch her. He took her to practices and to tournaments on weekends.
"He was a very involved parent, very hands-on with everything in my life," Wright said.
Actually, he still is. They talk daily by phone.