The Seattle Storm’s three drafted rookies are on the cusp of realising their WNBA dreams.
Training camp has been underway this week, but the test comes with Saturday’s exhibition game against Golden State at Chase Center. For Seattle’s newcomers, this is a significant step up.
Johnson Ready for ‘Different Level’
Guard Flau’jae Johnson, drafted eighth overall after starring at LSU, acknowledges the change. “It’s going to be different because it’s a different level,” Johnson said. “For me, it’s kind of like, it’s the same game. You can’t really make it bigger than what it is.
“Just putting the ball in the basket, the same thing you’ve been doing since you was a kid. That’s the mentality I try to go out with and then just adjust. It’s going to be an adjustment just like the SEC was an adjustment for me coming out of high school, the WNBA is going to be a major adjustment.”
The 22-year-old Johnson admitted that playing professional basketball wasn’t always her ambition. “When I was in high school, I wasn’t really focused on basketball,” said Johnson. “I didn’t really start training until my 10th or 11th grade year.
“I’m not going to lie, I didn’t even know you could go to college and play basketball. For real. I was making music. Then when I got to college and I started dominating, I was like ‘I want to play on the next level with the best players.’”
Mair Focused on Opportunity
Rookie guard Taina Mair echoed a similar sentiment. “I feel like it became a possibility toward the end of my senior season, to be quite honest,” said Mair, who was drafted No. 14 overall after playing at Duke. “I never thought about playing in (the WNBA). I always wanted to play overseas, just to travel.
“As you continue to play good and get opportunities and hear talks about yourself, it just becomes an opportunity that you never want to turn down.”
VanSlooten Seeks to Secure Roster Spot
Grace VanSlooten’s WNBA aspirations took root in middle school. “Seventh grade,” she said when asked when her WNBA dream began. “I played up with the eighth-grade team and I played pretty well for that. I was just kind of like, you might as well see where this goes. It’s not one specific moment, but over the course of a year or two, I found my thing.”
VanSlooten, drafted in the third round, faces uncertainty regarding a spot on the 12-player roster, unlike Johnson and Mair. Her chances might improve on Saturday, with forward Ezi Magbegor out with a foot injury and rookie forward Awa Fam in Spain.
Other available power forwards on the roster include training camp invitees Mackenzie Holmes and Beatrice Mompremier.
“I’m just kind of treating every day the same,” VanSlooten said. “I’m just coming in here and working hard and playing hard. I know, obviously I’m not going to be, you know, dropping 20 points a game or an
The Storm rookies will get their first taste of WNBA action on Saturday.