Storm 2026 Preview: Rookies Acquired, Stars Return, All Eyes on Draft Picks Ahead of Media Day

April 19, 2026 — Seattle, WA — The Seattle Storm kicked off the 2026 WNBA draft season with a shakeup and secured some serious talent. Ahead of the team’s preseason Media Day, let’s review the recent transactions that occurred during the 2026 WNBA Draft. Starting with the No. 3 overall selection, the team picked Spanish center Awa Fam.

Awa Fam the 6-foot-4 rookie center has represented Spain at both the youth and senior national team levels. At just age 15 she signed with Spain’s Valencia Basket. Fam’s incredible on-court presence in 39 games during the 2025-26 EuroLeague and Liga Femenina Endesa tournaments caught international attention as well as the WNBA.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Awa to Seattle,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “We’ve been watching Awa emerge as one of the most dynamic young talents in the world. She’s already gained valuable experience competing professionally internationally and has tremendous upside. Awa will be an important part of our future and what we’re building in Seattle.”

Following the acquisition of Fam the Seattle Storm traded the draft rights to Marta Suarez (selected 16th overall) and its own 2028 2nd round pick to Golden State Valkyries in exchange for the draft rights to Flau’jae Johnson (selected 8th overall).

Flau’jae Johnson played four years at Louisiana State University as a starting guard, scoring over 2,000 career points. She is the sixth player in LSU women’s basketball history to achieve this milestone. Johnson was named 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year and received All-SEC First Team honors in 2025 and 2026, as well as Second Team honors in 2024. She won the 2023 NCAA Championship with LSU and was awarded the 2026 Kay Yow Servant Leader of the Year and the 2026 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Finalist.

“Flau’jae is one of the most dynamic, creative and explosive players in this draft and we’re excited to get another first round pick to select her,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “Her playmaking, ability to score in multiple ways and energy on both ends of the court will impact our team immediately. We can’t wait for Flau’jae to get to Seattle.”

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In the second and third rounds of the 2026 WNBA Draft the Storm had one pick each selecting Taina Mair and Grace VanSlooten.

Taina Mair is a 5-foot-9 guard who hails from Boston, Massachusetts and was selected 14th overall. In her three seasons with Duke University Mair led her team to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The New England native was named the 2021 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. Mair holds the Boston College freshman record for assists with 217 in a single season.

Grace VanSlooten is a 6-foot-3 forward selected 39th overall by the Storm. She played her junior and senior seasons at Michigan State University, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 and 2026. Previously, she played for Oregon in her Freshman and Sophomore years. VanSlooten was recognized as a 2026 Academic All-American, made the 2026 Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year Late-Season Team, and won gold with the 2025 USA AmeriCup team.

New Players Signed

Natisha Hiedeman played with the Minnesota Lynx for two seasons, reaching the WNBA semi-finals in 2025 and the finals in 2024. A 5’8″ guard from Green Bay, Wisconsin, she began her career in 2019 after her time at Marquette. Previously, she played for the Connecticut Sun and has won several awards, including the 2025 Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award.

“A leader on the court and in the community, Natisha brings a competitive edge to our team,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “Coming off one of the most efficient seasons of her career, she’s ready to be a lead guard in our backcourt. We are thrilled to welcome Natisha to Seattle.”

Stefanie Dolson has signed with the Storm for the 2026 season after two years with the Washington Mystics. The center from Port Jervis, New York has received several awards during her collegiate and international play. At 36 years old, she has a 12-year WNBA career, beginning when she was drafted sixth overall by the Mystics in 2014. Dolson has won four gold medals from her time representing the United States in international competitions.

“I’m so excited to join the Storm. They’ve set the standard in women’s basketball for years, and I look forward to being part of a team that prioritizes its players and is backed by an incredible fan base,” said Dolson. “I can’t wait to bring my veteran leadership and fun energy to the squad!”

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Returning Players with New Contracts

Ezi Magbegor has re-signed with the Storm however the contract details are not disclosed. Magbegor was Picked 12th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Storm and won her first WNBA Championship in 2020 during her debut season. She earned WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors in 2024 and Second Team honors in 2022, 2023, and 2025. The Melbourne native also has a notable international career.

“When I think of home, I think of Seattle. I’m so excited to be back in a city and with an organization that means so much to me. As I continue my career, I’m excited to grow with this team in front of our amazing Storm fans,” said Magbegor.

Jade Melbourne has rejoined the Storm after two seasons with the Washington Mystics. She was drafted 33rd overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft but chose to play in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia first. She returned as the league’s youngest player for the Storm in 2023. The 5-foot-10 Australian is a bronze medalist with the Opals at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, playing as a starting guard.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jade back to Seattle. She’s a young, dynamic playmaker with a high basketball IQ who can impact the game in multiple ways,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “Jade’s growth and experience in international competition continue to elevate her game, and we’re excited for the energy she’ll bring to our team this season.”

Katie Lou Samuelson returns in 2026 healthier with a new contract. A native of Connecticut, she has five years of experience as a WNBA forward, playing for the Chicago Sky (2019), Dallas Wings (2020), Los Angeles Sparks (2022), and Indiana Fever (2024). Samuelson debuted with the Storm in 2021, starting 24 of 27 games. In February 2025, the 6-foot-3 forward signed a one-year contract with the Storm but missed training camp due to a severe ACL injury. She was also part of the Storm’s inaugural Commissioner’s Cup championship team.

Zia Cooke, a 25-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, returns to the Storm after signing a new contract during free agency. She spent the first three months of the 2025 season with the Storm before being traded to the Washington Mystics on August 5. Cooke rejoined the team at the end of August and scored her 300th career point and her 50th career assist with the Storm.

Mackenzie Holmes was selected by the Storm at No. 26 in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft but the rookie forward missed the season due to a knee injury. Holmes earned multiple awards during her time at Indiana University and has earned eight All-American selections.

2026 Training Camp Roster

The Seattle Storm signed five players to training camp contracts: Rennia Davis, Beatrice Mompremier, Jaelyn Brown, Elle Ladine and Jalyn Brown.

Rennia Davis – 6-foot-1 forward, Nesibe Aydin,Turkey
Beatrice Mompremier – 6-foot-4 forward, Xinjiang Magic Deer, China
Jaelyn Brown – WNBA, Dallas Wings (2024), Connecticut Suns (2025)
Elle Ladine – 5-foot-11 guard, University of Washington
Jalyn Brown – 6-foot-1, guard, Michigan State University, Arizona State University

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Pre-season training starts this week with the team’s first pre-season home game on Wednesday, April 29th at 7 PM against the Portland Fire. Fans can view the full season schedule here.