Seattle Storm 2023 Roster is Set

Meet the newest members of the Seattle Storm.

The Seattle Storm have officially announced their (initial) final roster for the 2023 WNBA season. All WNBA teams were required to submit their final rosters by 2:00 PM Pacific Time on Thursday afternoon. The season officially kicks off tomorrow, Friday, May 19th. The Storm will host the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces at 12:00 PM on Saturday, May 20th.

The final cut was made today and it was a bit of a surprise. The team opted to waive veteran post-player, Theresa Plaisance. Plaisance, a 6’5” F/C, had the most experience remaining on the roster as she was entering her 10th season in the league. One of the primary veterans throughout training camp, the team has opted to go full throttle into the youth movement.

A day after LSU guard, Alexis Morris, went on a Twitter tirade tweeting about how all WNBA players older than 30 needed to “hang it up” so that the rookies could make teams; the Seattle Storm have opted to keep four rookies on their roster.

The tweets have since been deleted but it sparked dialogue and controversy throughout the Internet on Wednesday.

Speaking with Sami Whitcomb, I asked her what advice she would give to the college players that don’t make a WNBA roster right out of school. I thought Whitcomb was the perfect player to talk with as she has one of the more inspirational stories in the WNBA.

“To not be discouraged. Yes, I did work hard but everyone’s journey is different. Everybody is working hard to get to the league. You don’t get the league without working really hard. I don’t want to say it’s easier for (drafted) players. Just because you were drafted and make a team (right out of college) doesn’t mean it was easy. It’s just a different path. Maybe the team that drafted you had a larger need at the time. Sometimes it’s just timing. It really can be that. You just have to keep grinding, keep working. Go play overseas. It’s a fantastic opportunity, great quality basketball, you can hone in on some skills and work on some things. Then you can come back and really carve out a role in this league. I would say everyone’s path is different. Don’t be discouraged in not making a roster. I got very lucky even when I did get that shot six years after or whatever it was - playing overseas. There was still a lot of luck for me in that it was Seattle and there was a role there that I sort of fit. Sometimes it’s just as simple as that as well.” Whitcomb told me.

The Rookies

The Storm kept two of their four 2023 WNBA Draft picks in Jordan Horston (9th overall) and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (21st overall). As well as 20-year-old Aussie, Jade Melbourne, the team’s third-round pick in 2022 (33rd overall). Rounding out the group is their free agent signing from Europe, Ivana Dojkic. A 5’11” Point Guard who made the team despite joining training camp only about a week ago (due to overseas commitments).

I got to speak with Jade Melbourne today after she found out she had made the final roster.

“Yeah, it’s wild! I’ve dreamt of it for so long. To finally be on the roster and I can just get excited now for my first game on Saturday, playing against the defending champs! It’s really special to me, I’ve worked hard for this, it’s really cool to be in this position and I can’t wait for Saturday!”

I asked her who has helped her reach this moment.

“It’s been a lot of people I think. First and foremost, it’s definitely my family. My parents have sacrificed a lot being from a country town in Victoria, in Melbourne. They drove here, there, and everywhere almost every day of the week. They sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position today. Also, my sisters. They got carried around a lot and dragged to different basketball stadiums so they’re probably over it. But they’re super excited for me. And a bunch of coaches along the way have really helped me get to where I am today. Everyone’s contributed to where I’m at. I’m sure they’re really excited to see me suit up.” Melbourne stated.

And the expectations the team and coaches have for her during her rookie season.

“My role is to just be poised and play my game. Be a floor general, take control at the point. Make sure when we need to slow it down to slow it down and when we need to play fast to speed it up. Just be steady at that position and to just continue to grow every day. No matter how many minutes I play, I’ll play my role to the best of my ability for the full 40 minutes of the game. Be around my teammates and I’m just super excited to suit up for Saturday.” Jade said.

For the first time since 2001, Sue Bird won’t be on the roster or around the team. The team has opted to keep three point guards out of training camp. Veteran, Yvonne Turner got a lot of reps as the first-string PG in practices and during their preseason games. She is expected to be the starter as the season begins this weekend. However, she won’t have to try and fill Bird’s (impossible) shoes alone. Rookies Jade Melbourne and Ivana Dojkic will both get their opportunities. And we may still see other veterans like Sami Whitcomb, Jewell Loyd, or Kia Nurse help bring the ball up the court this year.

Jordan Horston will be one of the players I’m most excited to watch and cover this season. The 6’2” Guard/Forward has a ton of potential with the size, athleticism, and skill set to be very versatile anywhere on the court. She will likely play multiple positions for Seattle this year with the potential to play anywhere from the one (point guard) to the four (power forward). Because the Storm are ushering in a new era without Sue Bird or Breanna Stewart, the team is going to have minutes and opportunities for several of the younger players. This should be a great fit for Jordan and allow her to get WNBA experience and continue to develop and grow with the team without the added pressure of needing to win immediately in her first season.

The same can be said for Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu. Dulcy really impressed during the team’s preseason game against the Phoenix Mercury. The team is limited with post players after releasing Theresa Plaisance. Dulcy is in a prime position to get plenty of minutes as the first post player off the bench for Seattle. She will look to back up Mercedes and Ezi this season. Teams always need strong rebounders and Mendjiadeu has a knack for getting the ball.

The Youth Movement

Not only has the team kept four rookies on the roster. But there are several other players still early on in their WNBA careers getting a fresh start here in Seattle. Arella Guirantes was a part of the 2021 WNBA Draft but was not on a roster in 2022. She will be entering her second season in the league. Guirantes had a strong showing in the FIBA World Cup games as the leading scorer in several of Puerto Rico’s games averaging over 18 PPG. She followed that up with a strong season in Europe.

In 26 games in her Hungary division, Guirantes averaged 16.8 PPG. During the 15 games against Euroleague competition, she averaged 14.7 PPG. Arella was always a strong scorer in college. Hopefully, she can provide an offensive spark off the bench for the Storm this season as she continues to develop her game at the WNBA level.

Kaila Charles is another player that showed some great promise during her rookie season in the Bubble in 2020. She played well for the Connecticut Sun off the bench in limited minutes but definitely made a positive impact. After two years with the Sun, she did not make the final roster in 2023. She did play in one WNBA game last season with the Atlanta Dream, so this will technically be her 4th year in the WNBA but it’s really just her third season.

Charles played in 21 games in Israel this offseason. Averaging very impressive numbers with 24.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 5.8 APG. She is another player the Storm hope can continue to develop and grow with the team. Charles will have the opportunity to be another player to come off the bench this season which can bring energy and a spark to her teammates.

And while Ezi Magbegor is clearly already established with the team. She is still just 23 years old and entering her 4th season in the WNBA. Magbegor had what many would consider a breakout season this past year averaging 9.5 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Her numbers were trending even higher than that prior to Tina Charles being signed midway through the season last year. With Charles no longer on the roster and Breanna Stewart away in New York. Magbegor is going to have more opportunities than she ever has before in the WNBA. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Ezi could average around 15 PPG and 10 RPG this season. It may not be quite that high but the team is going to need scorers and players to rebound the ball and Magbegor can do both of those. She is also expected to be the team’s best post defender.

The Veterans

We’ve come a long way since I started covering the team in 2015. Jewell Loyd, the team’s #1 overall draft pick in 2015, is now the de facto leader of the team and the most experienced player on the roster. Loyd enters her 9th season in the WNBA and looks to lead the team in this new era of Seattle Storm basketball. The four-time WNBA All-Star will be the centerpiece of the team this year. She is expected to be the team’s leading scorer and will have to shoulder the challenge of leading this younger group of players.

But she won’t be the only veteran that has to carry that burden. Sami Whitcomb, Kia Nurse, Mercedes Russell, and Yvonne Turner will all be looked at to help lead this group. Russell returns after a difficult injury-plagued season from a year ago and will be the team’s starting Center. Russell will be expected to be one of the team’s leading rebounders and post defenders.

Nurse and Whitcomb will be expected to provide scoring for the team from the wing/guard positions. And Turner, as mentioned above, will be the team’s lead facilitator responsible for finding her teammates for the best shot opportunities possible.

I asked Sami if the team has greater expectations for her this season compared to her first stint in Seattle (2017-2020).

“I hope so! Hopefully, I’ve earned that. Hopefully, there is a bit more trust in me to do more than what I came into the league as which was purely a sniper, three-point shooter. Hopefully, I can be a facilitator as well. Someone who is reliable on defense. I’ll always bring the energy. I want to do a little bit more in terms of leadership and in terms of production for the group.” Whitcomb answered.

Is the Roster Truly Finalized?

If you know anything about the WNBA then you’re well aware that making a final roster is extremely difficult. And staying on the roster all season is even harder. The initial overview of the roster is that the team is at least one post-player short. That’s why the release of Theresa Plaisance was a bit surprising.

Tina Charles still hasn’t signed with anyone. However, with the direction the team is headed with a focus on the future and youth, I don’t think adding her makes a ton of sense with the team’s overall vision. Charles, in recent seasons, has also been signing with teams that have a legit shot at winning a WNBA Championship and that isn’t the expectation for the Storm this season.

As I’ve written a couple of other times recently. I would keep an eye out on the waiver wire with all the other WNBA teams also having to make some difficult cuts to narrow their rosters down.

The Dallas Wings recently cut former #1 overall pick (2021) Charli Collier. A 6’5” Center out of Texas. The New York Liberty cut 6’3” Sika Kone (who has already been picked up by the Chicago Sky). Minnesota released 6’4” Damiris Dantas. The Washington Mystics released 6’1” Emily Engstler (4th overall pick in 2022). Iowa’s Monika Czinano (6’3”) was in camp with the Los Angeles Sparks but didn’t make their final roster. Kalani Brown (6’7”) is another post player that just missed the final cuts in Dallas and is available.

I don’t know whether or not the Storm’s front office would be interested in bringing in any of these players but it’ll be something to keep an eye on as the season gets underway.

The team could also have a change of heart and re-sign either Plaisance or Jasmine Walker (6’3”) who was also one of the final cuts from Storm training camp.

For now, the team will go with a heavy guard and wing rotation and we’ll see how it plays out.

Team Expectations

From a National Media perspective, just about everywhere you look the Storm are projected to finish second-to-last or dead last in the WNBA standings this season. But don’t tell the team that. Everyone I’ve talked to in training camp has been really happy with what they’ve seen in camp. They’re happy about the energy the players have. And they’re excited for the opportunity to grow, develop, and get better.

Sami Whitcomb spoke with the media about the season’s expectations.

“We aren’t too worried about other people’s expectations. But we know they are low, ultimately is what we understand. We have to believe in ourselves and expect more out of ourselves. That’s going to be what matters the most is us backing ourselves. We are aware of it and that feeds the fire and the hunger and all of that. It’s motivating but we are motivated on our own terms as well, for ourselves, and the goals we’ve set for us regardless of what other people are saying.”

I followed that up by comparing her answer and looking back at the 2018 season. No one predicted the Storm would be the #1 overall seed that year (they finished 8th in 2017). Does that give her more confidence in what they can accomplish knowing it doesn’t matter what others think?

“Yeah, definitely! That was obviously a different team and that group had been together for awhile and really building towards that. I think we’ll have our own goals and bench marks; stuff that we’re trying to get throughout the course of the season. That’s a perfect example of it’s just us and we’re the only ones that have to believe. We’re the only ones in the gym every single day with each other. We know what we’re doing and what we are about. That’s going to be the driver for us this season!” Sami told me.

It’ll be a stiff test right out of the gate as the Storm face the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday and the New York Liberty in the third game of the season. Those two powerhouses are expected to both reach the WNBA Finals this year as they’ve been dubbed “The SuperTeams”.

For the Storm, it’ll be more than just the wins and losses. This year is about development and growth. For the rookies and the veterans put in newer positions with more expectations than before. It might not always be the results Storm fans want to see but it’s a process I can certainly respect.