Connecticut Sun president Mitchell Etess confirmed a story in Monday's Minneapolis Star Tribune, reporting Minnesota Lynx assistant coach Jim Petersen is a finalist for the vacant Sun head coaching job.

Etess said Petersen is among five finalists for the job vacated recently by Anne Donovan.

"We expect to have this wrapped up soon," Etess said, adding that Petersen was an intriguing candidate, given his experiences with the Lynx and several recommendations given to the Sun from basketball people in and out of the WNBA.

Etess said no offers have been made to any of the candidates yet.

Petersen just completed his seventh season with the Lynx and was part of three WNBA championship teams under head coach Cheryl Reeve. Petersen, who helps with scouting, talent evaluation and player development, has also spent the past 13 seasons as a broadcaster for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"I'm lucky to be considered," Petersen told the Minneapolis newspaper. "I'll listen to any offer if that happens, then decide what I want to do.''

Petersen, along with the other four finalists, has been interviewed twice, Etess and the Star Tribune said.

"They have a really nice young team," Petersen said of the Sun. "If they'd have been healthy (last season) they'd have been a playoff team."

Petersen spent his eight-year NBA career (1984-92) with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. He is popular with many of the Lynx players.

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter: @BCgenius