SEATTLE – The Seattle Storm today announced that forward Ramu Tokashiki will forgo the 2018 WNBA season due to her Japan National Team commitments ahead of FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018, set for Sept. 22-30 in Tenerife, Spain.

“Ramu has informed us of her intent to prepare and focus on her Japan National Team commitments this year,” said Storm President & GM Alisha Valavanis. “We support her decision and look forward to her return.”

A 6-3 forward, Tokashiki led the Japan Women’s National Team back to the Olympics in 2016, the country’s first appearance since the 2004 Games. She has also competed for the Japan National Team in the 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships and the 2014 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Ankara, Turkey, where she averaged a team-high 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Tokashiki owns WNBA career averages of 5.5 points per game and 2.4 rebounds per game. She is expected to return to the Storm in 2019.