Any questions about which direction the Seattle Storm were headed were quickly answered when General Manager Talisa Rhea and head coach Sonia Raman hit the reset button on draft night. With the third overall pick, the Storm picked 6’4’ Spanish international Awa Fam.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Awa to Seattle,” said Rhea via a team release. 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.”
Fam currently plays for Spanish giant Valencia Basket. She appeared in 39 games during the 2025-26 EuroLeague and Liga Femenina Endesa tournaments and averaged 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks. The addition of Fam gives the Storm one of the tallest, youngest, and most talented front lines in the WNBA, with the recently re-signed Ezi Magbegor and rookie sensation Dominique Malonga.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
The Storm used their second first-round pick ( 14th overall ) on Taina Mair, the 5’9 point guard from Duke. The pick was safe and chalk. Mair is considered a solid playmaker who makes good decisions with the ball.
BLOCK BUSTER DEAL
A budding tall but young superstar and a point guard were two solid picks and fell in line with the Storms plans to assemble a young core through the draft and mesh that group with the veterans. The draft proceedings took a left turn when the Storm used their third pick, 16th overall and first in the second round, to select 6’3’ TCU forward Martha Saurez. The Storm then announced that they traded the player’s rights to Golden State and a 2028 second-round pick. Golden State, in turn, would give the Storm player rights to their 8th overall selection, Flau’jea Johnson.
“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 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.”
The announcement brought absolute bedlam to Storm Nation.
The two-time AP All-American is expected to make an immediate impact on the team and help accelerate its growth into a competitive team and then a title contender. Her ability to defend multiple positions, shot creation on the perimeter, and rim protection will make it difficult for teams to sag in the middle or double-team Malonga.
FINAL PICK
The Storm’s final draft selection was on former Michigan State power forward Grace VanSlooten. A solid ball handler who is a tenacious defender and rebounder, VanSlooten has just one weakness. Three-point shooting, she made just three in her entire college career. She might fit in nicely, given that the Storm have plenty of shooters.
BIG TAKE
Credit the Storm with creating and following through on a rebuild plan. The Storm took one step backward to take two steps forward. Rhea has assembled a young core, sprinkled with some veterans. The pressure is now on head coach Raman to build synergy, commitment to the “ We” rather than the “I “, and continual improvement.
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