Youthful Energy in Seattle Storm Training Camp

Read up on my interviews I had this week with Seattle Storm players.

After nearly a week of practices under their belt, the new-look Seattle Storm prepare for their first preseason game this upcoming Monday (May 8th) against the Phoenix Mercury at Climate Pledge Arena.

Throughout this past week, I had a chance to interview several players via Zoom video conference calls. I was able to speak with the four 2023 rookies - Jordan Horston, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Madi Williams, and Jade Loville. As well as veterans Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor.

I got to learn more about how the rookies prepared for training camp and what they’re enjoying the most so far during their time in Seattle. On Friday, I finished my set of interviews talking with Jewell and Ezi on what they’re seeing out of training camp up to this point.

Their words echo what Coach Quinn told me last weekend. There is a fun, competitive, youthful energy in this group of players. With lots of players giving it their all to make the final roster. The team sounds energized and excited for the season.

Below in bold are my general questions or talking points I wanted to get answers on and the quotes from all the players are included below. Enjoy!

Jordan Horston

How her College coaches prepared her for the WNBA?

“I think the best thing my coaches taught me is having that next-play mentality. I feel like that’s the difference between a lot of good and great players is to be able to move on and have short-term memory. They always instilled that into me ‘Next play Jordy! Next play!’ They know I’m a perfectionist. They know I want to get it right every single time but that’s impossible. I just need to not make the same mistake twice and just have that next-play mentality.”

What Jordan is really enjoying so far in Training Camp?

“I’m just enjoying being here. I’ve always dreamt of being in the W. It’s still crazy that I’m here in a jersey, trying out for a team, playing with pros I watched growing up. I’m just enjoying the whole experience honestly. To be able to take it in and be around greats, to play the game of basketball.”

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu

How her College coaches prepared her for the WNBA?

“One thing he emphasized was for me to always be ready. It doesn’t matter what game it is, whether it’s a good game or a bad game. I need to have my mental health ready. I need to be ready at all times. That’s one thing that really helped me be prepared for the next level.”

What Dulcy is enjoying the most in Training Camp?

“I would say the competition. Everyone has great talent here. We are very competitive. We go hard at all times. Even with a lot of learning.”

What is the most surprising or challenging thing so far in Training Camp?

“I don’t want to say anything is bad. It’s just another step up. Everything is going fast. You need to learn really quickly! At the moment you need to be ready at all times. My coach prepared me for that. They can tell me it’s going to be really quick, it’ll be fast, but when you’re here you can feel the difference!”

Outside of basketball, is there a place in Seattle you’ve visited that you really enjoyed?

“I think you call it Pike Market (Pike Place Market). It was amazing. I think it was the first place in America - I’ve never seen anything like that in America. It was really great!”

Madi Williams

What’s the Biggest Difference from College to the Pros?

“I would say the biggest difference is the pace. I wouldn’t say the speed because you still have to go fast in college. But in the pros, you have to figure out how to stop and go. Change up the speed as you move. That’s the biggest difference between college and the pros.”

What’s the Best Thing your College Coaches did to Prepare you for this Next Level?

“I would say being able to make reads. That’s one thing, our program spent a lot of time on during my five years in college - being able to make reads out of plays and out of different actions. I feel that’s the one thing that’s helped me in the transition (to the WNBA). We are making the same reads out of the same type of actions that I did in college.”

What are you Enjoying the most from Training Camp this year?

“I would say being here! Just knowing a lot of people don’t get this opportunity. Coming in with a grateful heart. Not everybody gets to be here. Only 36 people get drafted every year. And then not all of those players even get to stay on the team that they were drafted to. Just be in the moment, take it day by day, and work to give everything I’ve got!”

Did any veterans reach out to welcome you to the team?

“Me and Kia (Nurse) connected the first time I got out here.”

What was your favorite area that the Rookies got to tour so far?

Pike Place for sure! It’s pretty cool. It’s this Farmer’s Market. To see all the different things they had to offer, the food, the flowers, rings, jewelry, all different types of accessories. And the views! I haven’t had a chance to go back but I can’t wait to.”

Jade Loville

Tell me one or two things your College Coaches did to help you transition to the next level.

“I’m actually hearing a lot of familiar terms. Adia - we had a really pro style of offense and defense. I’m hearing the different defensive packages (named) red and black. Those are things I’m really familiar with. We trap the ball a lot on ball screens and we’re also incorporating that here. It’s feeling a little natural. There are obviously a few different rules in the league at this level. But there are a lot of familiar terms that I’m hearing that have translated over.”

What are you enjoying the most about Training Camp so far?

“Just getting better every single day. Every day is a new opportunity to learn something. Progress, take what I learned yesterday, and apply it to the next day. I’ve seen a lot of growth in my own game. My teammates, we are playing better together. We are having a lot more chemistry. We’re seeing that all across the board. I think that’s really exciting and it’s only the third day, so it’s great!”

Has anything been surprising or challenging?

“No … I think for me, I like to play basketball. Sometimes (practices) are a little shorter than I expected. College practices, we’re going for 3+ hours. I feel these pro practices are quick, straight to the point. We don’t waste time. I see it as an opportunity to come in ready. Every single drill matters, so you go hard, you take it personally. You do it to the best of your abilities.”

What have you enjoyed being in the city of Seattle this past week or two?

“Yeah, my mom is down the street. My brother lives in these buildings right outside. I have a lot of family in the area that I get to go home to. It’s a blessing.”

Jewell Loyd

Jewell’s thoughts on training camp

“This has been a very competitive training camp. It’s probably the most competitive it’s been in a very long time. Everyone is really hungry. Everyone is competing at a very high level. They are very energetic. They get up and down the floor really well. They’re just trying to learn. They’re hungry to learn and to compete. They may not know the full terminology or schemes yet. But they’re going to compete and make sure they get it done again and again until they get it right. It’s been fun! It’s been exciting! They’ve challenged me the last couple of weeks so I’m excited.”

Jewell Loyd on having other veterans to help lead the younger players.

“We have some experience on this team. Obviously, Sami’s been a part of championships and she’s been a part of this organization so she has a voice. TP (Theresa Plaisance) and Kia (Nurse), same thing. They’ve been around, they’ve won, they’ve played overseas as well. The cool thing is that we are all learning a new system together. It’s not the same system that we’ve been playing in Seattle. It’s a little different. All of us are new, and all of us are learning. We are finding our voice differently whether that’s leading by example, by direction information, or giving high-fives. We are all leading by committee.”

Team Goals for the upcoming preseason game.

“Just to get into shape. That’s the biggest adjustment for everyone is seeing the real tempo of the game. Obviously, staying healthy. Just seeing where we can improve. It’s the preseason so it’s not going to be pretty. We might have nice stints of fluidity. Let’s see who’s in shape!”

Ezi Magbegor

Ezi’s focus

“Noey and my teammates are going to want me to be more aggressive on the offensive end too. Continuing to improve my perimeter shooting. Being able to capitalize on that and defensively, continuing to grow and be that defensive presence for our team.”

Ezi on how training camp is going.

“It’s exciting because we get to play with different people. (Get to) see everyone’s strengths and different reads to the game. The first three days were a lot of learning. We’ve been lucky to scrimmage the last couple of days and play with different people and different teams. Everyone wants to be here and is very competitive, very loud. I think that’s something you need in a new team. Continuous talk is something we’ve been focusing on. Training camp is looking good so far! We still have a long way to go, but we’re excited and we’re learning!”

On What She’s Seen from Jade Melbourne

“Jade is awesome. She’s a great person. I’ve never actually played with her but we obviously know each other from training camps on the National team. It’s been great to see her progression from Day 1 to Day 5. Being a point guard is tough. She’s leaning on Jewell, Sami, and Vonnie (Yvonne Turner) because they do have that experience. With Jade, she’s just a sponge - she’s wanting to learn and get better. I just love her energy and she’s doing great.”

Goals for the Upcoming Preseason game

“Transferring what we’ve done in practice into the game. It’s been a lot of learning. Putting in our sets, our offenses and defenses together. Getting a run together. We love playing games. We rather play than practice so I think everyone is excited for Monday.

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