Jackson

Lauren Jackson

Anne Donovan

"Lauren has been a cornerstone of our franchise since the day she got here and we’re thrilled to keep her in a Storm uniform for years to come," said Donovan. "She’s a proven All-Star and her renewed commitment to this organization will be a big asset as we work to bring another championship to the city of Seattle."

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Jackson, 24, averaged 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in 34 games last season, ranking second in the WNBA in both categories. She led the league in efficiency ranking (21.7) and double-doubles (12) and ranked fourth in blocks per game (2.0 bpg). On Aug. 20, 2005, Jackson hit the 1,000th field goal of her career, becoming the youngest player in WNBA history to reach the milestone.

Jackson averaged career bests in points (21.2 ppg), rebounds (9.3 rpg), assists (1.9 apg) and field-goal percentage (.483 FG%) during the 2003 WNBA campaign and won the league’s MVP award. She set a WNBA record by connecting on 17 field goals en route to a career-high 34 points in a win over Los Angeles on Aug. 6, 2003. The following season, Jackson averaged 20.5 points and led the Storm to the WNBA Championship - the first major professional sports title in Seattle in 25 years.

"I’m so excited to return to Seattle and to continue to deliver wins for our great fans at KeyArena." Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty

"I’m so excited to return to Seattle and to continue to deliver wins for our great fans at KeyArena," Jackson said. "I can’t wait to get back with my Storm teammates and start working towards another championship."

A five-year WNBA veteran, Jackson holds career averages of 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.2 blocks. Jackson has been named to the WNBA All-Star Team each year the mid-season classic has been played during her time in the league (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005). She has also received All-WNBA First Team honors in each of the last three seasons. In 24 career playoff appearances, Jackson has averaged 17.6 points and has shot 52.6 percent from three-point range. The Storm selected Jackson with the first overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft.

A native of Albury, Australia, Jackson recently won a gold medal with the Australian National Team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. She has also won silver medals with the Australian National Team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the 2002 FIBA World Championships in China and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

The Storm will open their 2006 season against Western Conference rival Los Angeles at KeyArena on Sunday, May 21 at 6 p.m. The following Tuesday, May 23, Seattle will host the Houston Comets at 8 p.m. at the Key. The Storm vs. Comets game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.