Obama salutes WNBA's Minnesota Lynx at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has welcomed the reigning WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx to the White House.

It's been nearly a year since the Lynx won the championship, but the team's visit was delayed by the Summer Olympics and Obama's busy schedule.

Obama told team members they are great ambassadors for the game and strong role models for his own daughters. The president says the Lynx have returned glory to the Twin Cities.

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve thanked Obama for his support of the WNBA and told him the selflessness of her players along with leadership are behind their success.

The Lynx won the championship after sweeping the Atlanta Dream in three games last October. The team is in first place in the league's western conference this season.