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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April 5, 2009 1:59 PM

Storm stars win historic EuroLeague title for Spartak Moscow

Posted by Jayda Evans

Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi is irritating fans globally. For the Euroleague title, the Spartak Moscow All-Star swapped terse words with Isa Sanchez of Halcon Avenida in a 85-70 win. The crowd booed Taurasi, who scored a game-high 31 points and was named MVP.

Spartak (pictured right by FIBA) became the first club to win the EuroLeague championship three consecutive years, coincidently the same amount of time Taurasi, Sue Bird (13 points, 10 assists) and Lauren Jackson (13 points and five rebounds) have been with the team. The trio share a palatial home outside of Moscow.

Chicago center Sylvia Folwes and recently acquired Minnesota guard Kelly Miller also play for Spartak.

Taurasi will hear more boos if she's successful in helping the Mercury snag Jackson, a first-time unrestricted free agent, to Phoenix. A two-time WNBA MVP, Jackson admitted both Taurasi and Bird were in her ear about her looming decision.

Jackson, a native Australian, said her list is down to the two cities. She expected to make an announcement after the Russian season. Jackson first will return home in Albury to discuss her options with family.

Storm coach Brian Agler attended the EuroLeague competition in Spain. It is uncertain whether he'll return with a signed contract or breathless from giving his final pitch to have the franchise's first cornerstone return to Seattle.

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