With Jewell Loyd long gone and the number two pick draft in the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 14th, the Seattle Storm have begun rebuilding their roster for the coming season and beyond. To stay competitive in the immediate future and beyond, the Storm re-signed Ogwumike and former fan favorite Clark.
OGWUMIKE RETURN WAS CRITICAL
Ogwumike’s return to the Storm brings back the team’s most productive offensive player in 2024. The nine-time WNBA All-Star averaged 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and made 40% of her three-point attempts. A former 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year, 2016 league MVP, and 2016 WNBA Champion, Ogwumike earned all WNBA Second Team last season, proving she is still at the peak of her game.
l“I’m so grateful to run it back with Seattle this season. After a great first year, I’ve found a new home, and I’m proud of what we’re building and adding to the Storm legacy. Here’s to another season in PNW,” said Ogwumike.
DEPTH AND CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
Like Ogwumike, Clark brings championship pedigree and familiarity with her return to the Storm. Clark’s first stint with the Storm was from 2012-2019. During her time with the Storm, Clark played 273 games, the fifth most in franchise history. In 2019 and 2020, she led the entire WNBA in three-point percentage, averaging 48.1% and 52.2%, respectively. In 2020, she was ranked No. 4 in the league in field goal percentage at 45.3%. Clark played a pivotal role in helping the Storm win two WNBA championships, both in 2018 and 2020.
INJURY EUROPE AND RETURN TO WNBA, THEN STORM
Clark signed with the Mystics in 2021 but never saw the court due to a leg injury. After recovering from the injury, Clark trained with Israeli Champions Elitzur Ramla and sat out the 2022 season. Clark returned to the WNBA in 2023 with the Las Vegas Aces and won her sixth WNBA Player of the Year award and third WNBA Championship trophy. After two years with the Aces, Clark says she is happy to be back with the Storm.
“I’m really excited about coming back to Seattle where it all started! The organization that gave me a chance in this league. The fans that embraced me from day 1. The city that holds so many memories for me and my family. I can’t wait to get on the court with my teammates and get to work. Seattle, WE’RE BAAAAAACK,” said Clark.
Clark played in all 40 games and started 18 with the Aces last year and averaged 6.0 points, 3.6 rebounds , 1.8 assists, and 24.3 minutes a game.
VETERAN LINE UP
Clark will join a Seattle roster with Ogwumike, guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, forwards Ezi Magbegor, Jordan Horston, Gabby Williams, and center Li Yueru, who was included in the Jewel Loyd trade. Guard Nika Mūll is listed on the roster but is expected to miss the season due to a knee injury. In addition to the second pick, the Storm have the 21st, 29th, and 43rd in the upcoming draft.
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