Storm waive Holmes, finalize roster ahead of deadline
By Christan Braswell
Seattle, WA - Last week, Seattle announced they planned on carrying 11 players into the 2024 WNBA season. On May 8, the team waived Quay Miller, Alaina Coates, and Kaela Davis, bringing their total to 13.
Second-year guard Jade Melbourne battled with rookie Nika Mühl for the backup point guard slot behind Skylar Diggins-Smith, yet Mühl won the job when the Storm traded Melbourne to the Washington Mystics on Saturday for a 2025 third-round pick.
With one cut remaining ahead of the 5 PM EST deadline Monday, Seattle waived forward Joyner Holmes. On Jan. 29, Holmes returned to the team on a training camp contract after signing as a free agent early last season, playing in 34 games and averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds. Holmes played in both preseason games, netting a 13-point performance on 6-of-9 shooting in the WNBA Canada Game in Edmonton.
Forward Joyner Holmes during the Seattle Storm preseason win over the Phoenix Mercury on May 7th, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
Like many other players at this point of the WNBA calendar, Holmes is feeling the effect of roster limitations. A capable player with the ability to stretch the floor and above-average court vision for a post player, there is a spot in the WNBA for her. As teams will eventually brace for the rash of injuries that have plagued the start of several seasons recently, a team will come calling with an opportunity.
The Seattle Storm have a “Core Four” on their roster with Ezi Magbegor, Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Nneka Ogwumike. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
Finalized Roster
On media day, Storm star Nneka Ogwumike said she believed that there wasn’t a big three in Seattle but a fantastic four that includes All-Star forward Ezi Magbegor.
With veteran leaders like Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith assisting in Magbegor’s development, there is no limit to the ascension into the player she expects of herself and what her teammates and coaches want for her. She had her best season yet in her four-year career in 2023, averaging 13.8 points and 8.1 rebounds on 51 percent shooting from the floor.
All-Star guards Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith lead the backcourt in one of the most dynamic pairings in the WNBA before a game is played. Loyd was the league’s leading scorer in 2023, breaking Breanna Stewart’s previous record with 939 points. Diggins-Smith was top five in points and assists in her last five seasons played. In her last season before taking maternity leave, she averaged 19.7 points, four rebounds, and 5.5 assists, finishing sixth in MVP voting. Their blend on the court felt nearly seamless in the way they operated during the team’s final preseason game.
Ogwumike had one of the best seasons in her career in 2023, finishing sixth in scoring (19.1 PPG) and rebounds (8.8 RPG). A post-presence featuring Ogwumike and Magbegor will be interesting to see how the duo operate as they work out of the same spots on the floor. With Ogwumike and Magbegor shooting 36 percent and 38 percent respectively, both stretch the floor and add a dimension to the offense that most teams can’t boast. A fearless rebounder and elite defender who has been voted to four WNBA All-Defensive teams, Ogwumike brings experience and a been-there-done-that mentality that Seattle has sorely lacked at the position.
Seattle Storm forward Jordan Horston will look to take the next step in her sophomore season, coming off shoulder surgery this offseason and an ankle tweak in training camp. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
As a rookie, Jordan Horston was asked to guard some of the best wing players in the WNBA in 2023. It was quite the insurmountable task to ask out of a player new to the scene, but Horston held her own until she was deployed at the power forward spot where she’s too small to defend in the post. Like most players on the roster, Horston will benefit from Diggins-Smith leading the show and getting her the ball the way she’s most comfortable with. This is something Diggins-Smith has said she’s worked on with everyone on the team.
Seattle Storm guard Nika Mühl made the opening night roster after much wonder on if the UConn alum would, considering how tight training camp was this season. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
Rookie Nika Mühl is expected to be the backup point guard. As UConn’s all-time assist leader, Muhl brings a leadership mentality in her first year that most rookie guards don’t possess. During her sole preseason appearance, she tallied six points, three rebounds, and two assists. Throughout camp, Storm head coach Noelle Quinn has complimented Mühl on how she utilizes her voice and isn’t scared to organize her teammates on the floor.
Sami Whitcomb is back and will provide quality depth at the guard slot. She averaged 9.7 points per game while knocking down 38.5 percent from behind the arc. Her ability to be productive without the ball was one of her strong suits last season.
Seattle Storm guards Sami Whitcomb and Kiana Williams during the teams preseason win over the Phoenix Mercury on May 7th, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
On the bench in the guard rotation with Whitcomb is Kiana Williams. Last year, she was in training camp with the Minnesota Lynx and was waived before the season. She shined in the team’s final preseason game, contributing nine points on 3-for-6 shooting from deep. Quinn spoke glowingly about Williams’ performance and how she’s always ready when called upon.
Starting in the team’s two preseason games, wing Victoria Vivians will most likely start the season at the small forward position while sophomore forward Jordan Horston continues to recover from an ankle tweak sustained during training camp. At 6-foot-1, Vivans can guard threes and some fours, depending on height. She brings experience and versatility to a Seattle lineup that will lean on both until Horston returns. Vivians played with the Indiana Fever while Storm assistant coach Pokey Chatman was head coach.
Mercedes Russell, Victoria Vivians, and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu help round out a veteran front court for the Seattle Storm roster. (Photos by Liz Wolter)
In past years, center Mercedes Russell was a dynamic rim defender with the skill to direct traffic with her passing ability and could score with great efficiency for a 6-foot-6 post player. Since suffering reoccurring low-pressure headache syndrome, which required season-ending surgery in July 2022, Russell hasn’t been the same player as she averaged seven points and six rebounds in both years. With another season under her belt since she started her recovery process in 2022, expect Russell to get a bulk of the backup minutes at center.
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu made the roster last season after a brilliant training camp and started more games at center than any other Storm player. On defense, she’s a dynamic rebounder and fierce defender. On offense, she shot 52% from the field as a rookie, but her offensive skillset will require time and patience as she’s just not there yet. Luckily for her, Seattle provides the perfect foundation to blossom into the player the team believes she can be.
Seattle doesn’t expect to win a championship. They expect to compete for a championship every day during practice, training, and even off the court. With a vibrant culture already in place that added two of the most personable talents in Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith this offseason, the Storm will do exactly what they said they would. Compete for a championship.
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