Women's Hoops Blog

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception. She'll offer observations, critiques, occasional off-beat tales and answers to select e-mail inquires. Evans also has written a book on the Storm and women's hoops, called "Game On!"

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August 29, 2007 3:01 PM

Looking for LJ

Posted by Jayda Evans

Seems the Australian national team could be in a similar state as the Storm, if the WNBA franchise relocates. All-Star Lauren Jackson said she wouldn't play in Oklahoma City, thus skipping the WNBA season next summer in order to prepare for the 2008 Olympics.

But the Opals, her national team, knows she and Penny Taylor will not be around forever, so they're looking for the next Jackson.

The Aussie plans to return to Australia next week to spend time with her family then she is returning to the U.S. to tour with the Opals. She was somber following her exit interviews with staff but didn't have many answers, saying she'll need more time to distance herself from everything and to watch the games on tape.

During the WNBA offseason, Jackson will play overseas in Russia along with Storm teammate Sue Bird.

Tanisha Wright is returning to Isreal, and forward Shyra Ely received a T-Mobile internship through the WNBA and will return Oct. 1 to work in its marketing department.

If Janell Burse decides to play overseas, and the money says she will, she'll return to the Prague team. Iziane Castro Marques and Ashley Robinson were undecided about overseas plans, but Izi is planning to miss part of next summer to help Brazil qualify for the Olympics at a last-chance tournament in July.

The league is taking an Olympics break in August and Castro Marques would return after that. Brazil could qualify at the tournament in Chile next month, but Bird's Team USA also is in the field, a tough draw to beat.

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Posted by Cindy

5:01 PM, Aug 29, 2007

Jayda, is Shyra's internship with the WNBA in New York or with T-Mobile here in Seattle? Also does that mean that Jackson would get the MVP award this weekend before flying back home next week to Australia? Usually they present the MVP during the finals so I was wondering. Thanks!

Posted by Jayda

5:06 PM, Aug 29, 2007

Cindy, Ely's internship is here in Seattle and Jackson was vague about the MVP award, but it will be announced during the WNBA Finals and she is expected to be present for the presentation. She only plans to be home for about a week. I'm also hearing the Storm is going to have a party for the announcement, much like they did in 2003 at Jillian's.

Posted by Roger

5:38 PM, Aug 29, 2007

Simone will also be in Chile playing for the Jamaican national team. The USA team is in her bracket. Wow.

Posted by Roger

5:39 PM, Aug 29, 2007

Simone Edwards will also be in Chile. The Jamaican national team is in the same bracket as the USA team. How cool is that?

Posted by sth13

9:42 AM, Aug 30, 2007

Jayda:
Other than obvious reasons, which to me would still be excuses, why has the new ownership group not been present at games, etc. They seem to have distanced themselves from the Storm, and it gives the impression that they don't give a hoot about this team. So why keep them? Please don't say they are keeping the Storm because of all the money the owners would make from the team, because is that really a true statement? Are they trying to make us disappointed with them? Because they are doing a good job.