Meet the 2022 Seattle Storm
After being bitten by the injury bug each of the last two seasons, the Storm return a healthy roster in 2022 — led (perhaps for the last time) by the Big Three of Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.
But it’s not just the stars who will lead Seattle in 2022. The Storm will rely on key contributions from players like Mercedes Russell, Briann January and Epiphanny Prince in order to realize their goal of capturing another WNBA title.
With a new home in Climate Pledge Arena, and championship DNA, big things could be in store for the Storm this season. Here’s a closer look at the roster.
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10 Sue Bird, Guard
- Age: 41
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 150
- College: Connecticut
- Experience: 20 years
- Starter: Yes
What the Storm need
More of the same from arguably the greatest point guard in WNBA history who is still one of the league’s top playmakers. Bird, who ranked fifth in the WNBA in assists in 2021 with 5.3 per game, also led the Storm while shooting 41.9% on three-pointers. Seattle will have to manage the minutes of the league’s oldest player who admittedly “doesn’t have a lot of tread left on the tires” and could be playing her last season. Whether or not this is Bird’s swan song will be one of the biggest storylines of the season for the WNBA.
Did you know?
Bird is 439 points away from becoming the fourth WNBA player in league history to reach the 7,000-point plateau. She needs to average 12.2 points in 36 regular-season games to reach the benchmark.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10 | 2.6 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 43.1 | 41.9 | 83.3 |
| Career | 12.0 | 2.6 | 5.6 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 43.0 | 39.2 | 85.1 |
24 Jewell Loyd, Guard
- Age: 28
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 148
- College: Notre Dame
- Experience: 7 years
- Starter: Yes
What the Storm need
Anything close to last season when Loyd tallied a career-high 17.9 points per game and captured her first All-WNBA first team selection. She was an early MVP candidate before tailing off late in the season. Still, Loyd finished seventh in scoring and steals (1.48) and 12th in assists (3.8). She put up a personal best 37 points in the regular-season finale while tying a league record with 22 in a quarter. Loyd, who wants to contend for all-defensive team honors, is at the height of her powers and is arguably the best two-way guard in the WNBA.
Did you know?
The Lincolnwood, Ill. native got her first taste of the WNBA as a junior at Niles West High while practicing with the Chicago Sky. Loyd playfully refers to Pokey Chatman, who coached the Sky at the time, as her first WNBA coach.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17.9 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 42.1 | 37.6 | 88.9 |
| Career | 15.2 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 42.3 | 35.3 | 88.3 |
30 Breanna Stewart, Forward
- Age: 27
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 170
- College: Connecticut
- Experience: 5 years
- Starter: Yes
What the Storm need
A complete and healthy season from the perennial MVP candidate. Aside from the 2019 when she sat out the season while recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, Stewart has been remarkably durable. She’s missed just five regular-season games in the five seasons she’s played.
Did you know?
Stewart was hoping to wear her signature shoe with Puma at the Storm’s regular-season opener, but delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the sneaker’s debut to the summer. Stewart is the first female basketball player with a signature shoe since Candace Parker and Adidas in 2011.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20.3 | 9.5 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 43.9 | 33.3 | 84.7 |
| Career | 20.0 | 8.9 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 47.4 | 36.6 | 82.9 |
5 Gabby Williams, Forward
- Age: 25
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 172
- College: Connecticut
- Experience: 3 years
- Starter: Yes
What the Storm need
A lockdown wing defender who is quick and athletic enough to harass guards on the post while also having enough battle in the paint and handcuff forwards. It’s a dirty job, but somebody has got to do it. Seattle’s defense dropped off significantly last year after losing defensive stalwarts Natasha Howard and Alysha Clark in the offseason. Williams, a 24.8% three-point shooter during her career, will need to improve her perimeter shot when opponents double team Breanna Stewart.
Did you know?
Williams partnered with Storm teammate Briann January and led the Hungarian team Sopron Basket to its first ever EuroLeague championship on April 10. Williams was the Final Four MVP after averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.5 steals in the playoffs.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7.7 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 42.4 | 28.6 | 64.0 |
| Career | 6.8 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 42.4 | 24.8 | 73.0 |
2 Mercedes Russell, Center
- Age: 26
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 195
- College: Tennessee
- Experience: 4 years
- Starter: Yes
What the Storm need
Continued growth and development from Russell who made great strides last season during her second season as a starter. While still a secondary option offensively, Russell became a reliable low-post scorer who dramatically improved her accuracy and shot 61.7% from the field, which ranked third in the WNBA. Improving as a shot blocker is also the next evolution considering she ranked 19th among league centers last year with 0.4 blocks per game.
Did you know?
Russell is one of two active WNBA players who has never attempted a three-pointer in their career and played at least 30 games. The other is Los Angeles Sparks center Kristine Anigwe.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 61.7 | --- | 76.6 |
| Career | 5.4 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 52.8 | --- | 66.2 |
7 Stephanie Talbot, Forward
- Age: 27
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 192
- College: Australia
- Experience: 4 years
- Starter: No
What the Storm need
A greater understanding of how to be offensively effective when playing alongside the Big Three. During her first 11 games with the Storm last season, Talbot connected on 15 of 28 three-pointers and led the league with a 53.6% three-point shooting percentage. In the next 19 games, she shot 32.4% from deep (12 of 37). Talbot, who has been a training camp invitee the past two seasons, has become a dependable reserve and part-time starter because she’s one of Seattle’s most versatile defenders who can defend 1 through 4.
Did you know?
Talbot picked up several nicknames over the years. While playing in Poland, she was called “Stefka.” Her Australian national team players used to call her “Talby” until switching to “Tubsie.” And Talbot’s friends affectionally call her “Big Bird.”
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.7 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 48.3 | 41.5 | 75.0 |
| Career | 4.7 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 42.7 | 36.7 | 77.4 |
13 Ezi Magbegor, Center
- Age: 22
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 176
- College: Australia
- Experience: 2 years
- Starter: No
What the Storm need
Simply put, more. The third-year veteran has shown flashes of brilliance and seemingly has an array of tools to become a star. She’s capable of scoring 20 points in the low post and has added a steadily improving perimeter shot to her offensive repertoire. Magbegor, who can grab double-digit rebounds, has also displayed an ability to snag boards and dribble up court to start that fast break. And she’s a rangy defender with a 6-7 wingspan that allows her to cover a lot of distance. The key with Magbegor is finding a way to be productive in 15-20 minutes off the bench.
Did you know?
Magbegor won a WNBL championship with Australia last month while playing for the Melbourne Boomers. She tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds during an 84-66 victory over the Perth Lynx in the decisive Game 3.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6.7 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 50.1 | 55.6 | 84.6 |
| Career | 6.6 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 53.4 | 50.0 | 78.8 |
11 Epiphanny Prince, Guard
- Age: 34
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 179
- College: Rutgers
- Experience: 12 years
- Starter: No
What the Storm need
For an occasional scoring threat off the bench who can supplement the perimeter offense and hit timely deep shots on nights when Seattle’s Big Three are struggling. That role was occupied by three-point specialist Sami Whitcomb who helped the Storm capture league titles in 2018 and 2020. Prince converted a career-high 50% on 3s and averaged 5.8 points last season (25 of 50) in a backup role behind Jewell Loyd. Prince is entering her third season with the Storm and she’s perfectly suited to take charge of the team’s second unit.
Did you know?
In 2006, Prince scored 113 points for New York City’s Murry Bergtraum High in a 137-132 win against Brandeis High, which shattered the girls’ national prep record of 105 held by Cheryl Miller. Prince sank 54 of 60 shots and converted just four three-pointers.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 43.9 | 50.0 | 89.7 |
| Career | 11.9 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 40.8 | 37.8 | 86.5 |
20 Briann January, Guard
- Age: 35
- Height: 5-8
- Weight: 148
- College: Arizona State
- Experience: 13 years
- Starter: No
What the Storm need
For the former Spokane native, who announced she’s retiring after this season, to go out with a bang. If January replicates something similar to last season when she nabbed WNBA All-Defensive first team honors for the fifth time (2012, 2014-16 and 2021), then Seattle’s defense will be greatly improved. The former Connecticut Sun standout also garnered all-defensive second team recognition in 2013 and 2017. January, who has been a starter in the past 11 seasons, will need to adjust to a backup role behind Sue Bird and find ways to be effective in limited minutes. Missing training camp while playing in Hungary may likely result in a slow start for January, but the Storm hopes her playoff experience – she’s made three trips to the WNBA Finals and won a league title in 2012 with the Indiana Fever – helps Seattle in its pursuit of a league championship.
Did you know?
January holds a black belt in karate and her father is a karate instructor. Also, her 235 career assists in the WNBA playoffs ranks third all-time behind Diana Taurasi (291) and SueBird (318).
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7.0 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 42.5 | 38.0 | 86.8 |
| Career | 8.3 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 38.5 | 38.1 | 84.6 |
14 Jantel Lavender, Forward
- Age: 33
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 185
- College: Ohio State
- Experience: 10 years
- Starter: No
What the Storm need
A well-traveled veteran and former WNBA All-Star with championship experience who can come off the bench to provide rebounding and low-post defense for a few minutes. And in case of an emergency, Lavender could start a handful of games. She’s improved her perimeter game, but her offense would be a bonus. Lavender, who forced her way out of Indiana at a cost, could have had a bigger role with other teams. Her biggest contribution may be serving as a mentor to Seattle’s promising, young post players.
Did you know?
Lavender is the only Ohio State player, male or female, to be selected Big Ten Player of the Year four straight seasons (2007-11). The Buckeyes career scoring (2,818 points) and rebounding (1,422) leader tallied double-digit scoring in every collegiate game (136), which is an NCAA record.
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6.4 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 40.4 | 20.0 | 90.0 |
| Career | 8.5 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 49.9 | 23.4 | 82.4 |
1 Reshanda Gray, Forward
- Age: 36
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 192
- College: California
- Experience: 5 years
- Starter: No
What the Storm need
A veteran backup who can provide minutes in the low post if needed. Gray joined the Storm just four days before the regular-season opener and snagged the final spot on the roster. She’s slotted behind Breanna Stewart and Jantel Lavender at forward, but could see minutes early in the season while center Mercedes Russell recovers from an unspecified injury. She’s appeared in four WNBA playoff games, including an 8-point performance on 3-for-3 shooting last year for the New York Liberty in an 83-82 loss to the Phoenix Mercury.
Did you know?
The former California Bears standout, who was voted the 2014 Pac-12 Player of the Year by league coaches and selected in the second round of the WNBA draft in 2015, has played for five teams during her six-year WNBA career. Gray, who was released on the last day of training camp in 2017 and 2018, spent two years out of the league before latching on with New York (2019 and ’21) and Las Vegas (2020).
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.9 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 53.1 | 0.1 | 69.2 |
| Career | 4.2 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 49.2 | 25.0 | 62.6 |
C Noelle Quinn, Coach
- Age: 37
- Height: N/A
- Weight: N/A
- College: UCLA
- Experience: 1 years
- Starter: N/A
What the Storm need
Someone to set a high standard, manage the minutes of a veteran roster, and hold everyone accountable. Quinn is tasked with balancing short-term goals such as winning as many regular-season games as possible against the team’s big-picture championship aspirations. Her immediate challenge is inserting newcomers Gabby Williams, Briann January and Jantel Lavender into the rotation and coaxing more production from Seattle’s backups. And Quinn has to improve the Storm’s once-dominant defense, which regressed last season and put too much stress on its high-octane offense.
Did you know?
Quinn is a trained classical pianist since second grade who used to enjoy playing contemporary tunes in hotel lobbies.
| 2021 | W-L record: 16-10, 0-1 playoffs | |||||||
| Career |