Seattle Storm Add More Players to Training Camp

Seattle's training camp roster increases to 13 players.

The Seattle Storm have officially announced the signing of three additional players to training camp contracts for the upcoming 2024 WNBA season. The team announced the additions of Alaina Coates, Kaela Davis, and Kiana Williams.

Kaela Davis and Kiana Williams each previously played for the Seattle Storm in recent seasons. Davis played with Seattle on a hardship contract in 2022 and scored 11 points in the one game she saw action in. Williams was drafted by the Storm in 2021 in the 2nd round (18th overall). She played 10 games with the Storm during her rookie season and another three games in 2022 before moving on to play with the Connecticut Sun.

Coates is the former number two overall pick back in 2017 drafted to the Chicago Sky. Most recently she signed with the Las Vegas Aces and played the final 10 games with them once it became evident that Candace Parker wasn’t going to be able to come back. Coates won a WNBA Championship with the Aces last season. Per the Storm’s press release, Alaina Coates is averaging 11.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.1 SPG, and 1.6 APG while playing overseas for Nesibe in the Turkish league.

Coach Noelle Quinn specifically told me they were looking for another big when I interviewed her on Monday. I was a little surprised to hear that with who’s already on the roster. Seattle has Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and Mercedes Russell all on guaranteed contracts. Plus Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Joyner Holmes. DFM is on her rookie scale contract and Holmes is on a non-guaranteed training camp contract similar to what Coates will sign. At 6’4” Coates will be battling with Holmes and Fankam Mendjiadeu for a roster spot as one of Seattle’s reserves.

Kiana Williams is also playing in the Turkish KBSL and she’s averaging 17.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.4 RPG, and 1.0 SPG. Williams was a standout point guard from Stanford and a player that former Seattle Storm Coach Dan Hughes thought very highly of. Williams will likely come in and battle with Jade Melbourne to try and earn the backup point guard position behind Skylar Diggins-Smith.

As of this writing, I don’t believe any player has the backup PG job locked up. We saw Sami Whitcomb play the point a lot at the end of the season and did an admirable job. However, Coach Quinn would much prefer to utilize her as a shooting guard where she can move around without the ball and get free to knock down three-pointers. It’s more difficult for Sami to get those looks from behind the arc if she is already bringing the ball up the court and the central focus of the defense. I think Seattle can use Whitcomb as a backup point guard if needed but I don’t believe it’ll be the top plan.

The Storm have been trying to groom Melbourne into a point guard over the past couple of seasons. When they drafted her in the third round in the 2022 WNBA Draft she was much more a slasher and shooting guard at the time. However, Jade has been working to be the lead point guard with her Australian team overseas over the past two years. The 21-year-old Melbourne is playing quite well in the WNBL, Australia’s top league. In 18 games, she’s averaging 16.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.7 SPG.

The biggest question is whether or not her game will be able to adapt to the WNBA level of competition. We’ve seen her do some nice things both in practice and in games with the Storm last year to give the team hope. I think in an ideal world Melbourne will earn the backup point guard spot and earn more minutes this season compared to her rookie year when she was battling Yvonne Turner and Ivana Dojkić for playing time.

Of the three players, Kaela Davis likely has the best chance to make the roster. The 6’2” forward has had the most success in the WNBA of the three players with a career average of 5.5 PPG. But she also plays the position where Seattle has the most question marks.

With Gabby Williams not playing in the WNBA this year due to the Olympics. Jordan Horston is the only player who is a natural at the Small Forward position. Seattle doesn’t have a backup player for Horston on the roster. Joyner Holmes could potentially play that role but she is more of a power forward than a faster wing player. Davis could fill that void if she makes the roster.

It should be noted that Kaela Davis did tear her Achilles in January of 2023 and hasn’t played in the WNBA or overseas since then. She has worked hard to get back to playing and earn an invite to training camp with the Storm. If she can play well in camp I give her the best shot to make the final roster.

The Storm’s roster is at 13 players now. Six players have guaranteed contracts: Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, Sami Whitcomb, and Mercedes Russell. Those six players are locked in. Jordan Horston is projected to be the starting Small Forward, so that makes seven players. While I can’t say for 100% certainty, I believe Jade and Dulcy will most likely both make the team that would put Seattle at nine players.

Seattle can afford to roster 11 players this season. The final two spots will come down to Joyner Holmes, Kaela Davis, Alaina Coates, and Kiana Williams, plus whichever two rookies the team drafts in the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Notes: Thanks for all the support. If you know any Seattle Storm fans who want more coverage for their favorite team but aren’t aware of my work please put in a good word and let them know.

Follow me on the socials:
Twitter: @WNBAStormChaser
Threads: @WNBAStormChasers
BlueSky: @wnbastormchasers.bsky.social