The Jordan Horston Effect in New Zealand is off to a great start
By Christan Braswell
Storm forward Jordan Horston has arrived in New Zealand to play for the Tokomanawa Queens in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa this offseason and is making waves before stepping on the court.
With her presence as the only active WNBA player in the league, Horston’s debut is set to make league history with a new attendance record.
The Queens, based in Porirua in the Wellington urban area, play their home games at Te Rauparaha Arena, a multi-purpose entertainment center with a main arena capacity of 3,000.
While the league’s actual attendance history record isn’t publicly available, the Queens’ arena is the largest of the five teams nationwide.
As one of the most talented young stars in the W, Horston’s signing is arguably the biggest in league history for several reasons.
The WNBA has experienced record-high television ratings and in-arena attendance due to the shared spotlight of veteran talent and young talent across the league.
To increase its presence in the American market and build off the W’s steady rise, the TBA changed its season window from summer months to October through December and doubled player payouts, making the league’s highest players earning more than the NBL, the men’s professional league in New Zealand.
Queens general manager Walter Taulelei shared his thoughts on signing Horston:
“It’s enourmous. Yes, she would be the biggest signing that has ever come here, but her job is much bigger than that. It’s to showcase to the world that a high-profile player can come to this market, have a good time, and show what she cando. It’s going to elevate the game for sure.”
The change of season and increase in pay led to the Queens landing Horston, who is more than ready to get started. As soon as she landed, she asked when she could get shots up, a source told Circling Seattle Sports.
“I’m happy to be here,” told Stuff. “My [WNBA] season ended like two weeks ago, so I had a chance to go home and see family but now I’m here and I’m excited to get to work.”
“This was my second year in the WNBA and I was just getting my feet wet. I had to take a backseat role a little bit but now I can play my game, play free, and allow the fans to see how I can really play, and I’m excited to show you guys what I really have.”
Storm forward Jordan Horston attacking the fastbreak against the Chicago Sky on July 5th at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo)
When 2024 Olympic silver medalist Gabby Williams joined the Storm after the Olympics, Horston’s playing time and development took a hit as she went from 25 minutes a game on the third-best team in the WNBA where she played a sizable role to only playing 15 minutes and coming off the bench.
It’s understandable why veteran experience was prioritized, but the team was not better for it. Despite Williams’ productivity, for a core group in its first year together, the Storm were most likely better off keeping Horston in the starting lineup.
That’s not the case with the Queens where the court is Horston’s canvas to grow and create what she wants.
“Playing, that’s how you grow. Being here, I’m going to get a lot of reps and its going to be good for my game, for my confidence. I’m ready.”
Another decisive factor that brought Horston to New Zealand was the chance to play with her partner, Lady Vols all-time blocks leader Tamari Key.
Horston said they came as a “package deal” and was enthusiastic about the opportunity during her exit interview since Key’s senior year ended prematurely when blood clots were discovered on her lungs, denying the duo the chance to finish their collegiate careers together.
“I’m grateful that we have another opportunity to step out on the court together.”
Watch Horston and Key take the hardwood on Saturday at 7 PM on ESPN3 and the FIBA YouTube channel.
Check out our previous Seattle Storm articles here.
Cover photo and photos in this article by Rio Giancarlo. Check out his portfolio here.
Check out our previous articles written by Christan Braswell here, and follow Christan on Twitter.
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