Storm Re-Signs Janell Burse

Burse

February 9, 2009

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SEATTLE - Seattle Storm head coach and director of player personnel Brian Agler announced today the re-signing of 6-5 center Janell Burse. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We are very excited to have Janell return to Seattle this season, as she is one of the more experienced true centers in the WNBA,” Agler said. “I had the pleasure of drafting Janell while coaching in Minnesota and I like the strength she brings to our front court. Janell has always matched up well with our conference opponents and I’m looking forward to working with her again.”

Burse started 29 games for the Storm during the 2007 season, averaging 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She scored a season-high 21 points against Detroit on June 20, and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds on May 23 versus Phoenix. Her 16 rebounds in one half and 11 rebounds pulled down in one quarter against the Mercury are WNBA records. Burse owns career averages of 6.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game over seven seasons split between Minnesota and Seattle. After re-signing with the Storm in April of 2008, Burse opted to sit out during the 2008 WNBA season.

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“I'm very excited about returning to Seattle this summer,” said Burse. “I've truly missed playing in the WNBA and competing against some of the greatest players. I look forward to working with Brian again and joining a team that is a strong contender for another WNBA championship.”

The former Tulane player was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round (28th overall selection) of the 2001 WNBA Draft. In April of 2004, the Storm acquired Burse along with Sheri Sam from the Lynx in exchange for forward Amanda Lassiter and the Storm’s first-round pick (sixth overall selection) in the 2004 WNBA Draft.

The Seattle Storm will open its 2009 WNBA schedule on Saturday, June 6 in a 1 p.m. matchup versus the Monarchs at ARCO Arena in Sacramento. The Storm returns to Seattle on Sunday, June 7 for its first KeyArena home game at 6 p.m., also against the Monarchs. The team’s June 7, 2009 home opener falls on the 10th anniversary of the city of Seattle being selected as one of four cities to receive a WNBA expansion team in 2000.

For additional information about the Storm or for information on 2009 Storm season tickets, please call 206-217-WNBA.