At 23, Wendell Epps is making a name for himself as the new voice of the Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx vs. Fever game with Caitlin Clark at Target Center was sold out. And it was an exciting game.

The Lynx started well, leading by seven points in the third quarter, but then the Fever fought back and won the game 81-74.

The man behind the microphone providing live commentary for Lynx Radio on KFAN is a new voice. Wendell Epps is only 23 years old and is also the first Black and Hispanic to provide live commentary for the organization.

He spoke to MPR News presenter Cathy Wurzer about his career.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. Click on the audio player above to listen to the full interview.

What was the atmosphere like at the Lynx-Fever game last night?

It was crazy. I mean, this was one of the most anticipated games of the season, and Caitlin Clark was in the building. When I walked in, all I saw was a bunch of jerseys and fans in the building.

The atmosphere was great from start to finish. The Fever were the last team in the WNBA that the Lynx had to play this season, so it was a really fun game. I was really blessed to be there and of course it was exciting to commentate on the game.

How did you get into this business?

I’ve known since I was 10 that I wanted to do something in sports reporting. When I was a sophomore in high school, I took my first broadcast journalism class and learned how to be on camera. I fell in love with it. By my senior year of high school, I had started my own podcast and gained experience producing, editing, and hosting a podcast.

Then when I went to High Point University, I became the team’s live commentator for four years. I did a few internships at Fox Sports and NBC news channels. Finally, last year I got my first opportunity right out of college with the Orlando Magic as a radio assistant. I worked in the NBA all year and then came here to Minnesota in the middle of the playoffs.

I left Orlando early to come here and take this great opportunity with the Lynx, and I’m very fortunate to have these opportunities. It’s a blessing. I just hope I can use my age as an advantage to have even more energy and just be a great source of inspiration and hope for the entire Minnesota community.

Did you take your cue from another live commentator?

As a child, I would play video games in my living room and pretend to announce the game. My mother remembers that when she went into the kitchen, I would comment on her every move, like, “Oh, Mom is opening the fridge,” or “She wants to get the mustard or the ketchup. Oh, she wants to get the ketchup, and with a twist!”

It’s honestly just one of those things where I pretend to be a commentator every day because it’s so ingrained in my brain. It’s my job. It’s what I do on a daily basis, but it’s the best thing ever. I love live commentary so much.

How do you keep the enthusiasm going?

Honestly, it’s natural. I really love sport. I’m very passionate about it. I know how lucky I am to be in the position I’m in now, having just turned 23. So I don’t take it for granted.

For me, it’s like I never considered any of these games that I’ve made as work. This is a hobby for me. I enjoy it. You’ll always hear that energy when you hear me on the air.

What would you say to people who don’t follow the Lynx to get them to look and listen?

I would say the Minnesota Lynx are without a doubt the most underrated team in the WNBA right now. We just won the Commissioner’s Cup Championship, the WNBA’s version of the NCAA Tournament.

We have so many great basketball players. In our new podcast, Lynx Unleashed, that we just launched, you can feel that these players are individuals with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Just watch the Lynx because they will make you smile when you see them play and when you hear them talk, you will appreciate them even more.

Do they have a chance at the title this year?

I think so. We haven’t had Napheesa Collier in the last few games, which is a pretty big reason why we lost to the Fever yesterday. Collier is, in my opinion, one of the top five players in this league, without a doubt. I think if she keeps playing like this, she has a chance to potentially be MVP.

We have sharpshooter Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton, who is having a career year. As long as those players stay healthy and consistent, I think the sky’s the limit.

How much digital content work do you do?

That was a big part of what they were looking for when they were looking to fill the position and I welcomed that. At my previous job, I did a little bit of everything. I produced, edited, hosted pre-game coverage, live coverage for our G League team and social media content. In this business, you have to wear multiple hats, that’s the only way you can move up the ranks.

Luckily, Minnesota gave me the tools and resources and I just ran with them and just kept going and trying to get the best content I could because these Lynx fans deserve it.

What is the ultimate goal for you?

I’m definitely enjoying the time. I’ve already fulfilled my dream of working in the NBA, but I would love to work in the NBA again as a live commentator at some point. I’d love to be on national television or get into other sports like football or soccer. I watched the Copa America final and I’m still imagining what it would be like if I actually worked as a live commentator.

More than anything, I just want to be an inspiration, as the first black announcer here with the Minnesota Lynx and also the first person of Hispanic descent to be on the air for the Lynx. It’s one of those things where I just want to continue to inspire people as long as my story can be a source of hope.