Notebook: Seattle Remains Ms. Robinson’s Neighborhood

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Storm Ready to Work to Meet Expectations Storm Re-Signs Robinson, Announces Training Camp Roster StormTracker: Complete Media Day Coverage Get Storm Headlines!

Kevin Pelton, storm.wnba.com | April 21, 2008

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It took some time, but restricted free agent center Ashley Robinson re-signed with the Seattle Storm Monday just in time for the start of training camp. Robinson had been considering the possibility of signing an offer sheet with another team, giving the Storm five days to decide whether to match the offer, but ultimately decided the lure of staying in Seattle was too strong.

"(I was) weighing my options, seeing what else was out there, seeing who was interested, just taking advantage of being a restricted free agent," Robinson said at Monday's media day. "This was the first time because I was under my rookie contract for four years. The process was cool, but it was really hard for me to leave Seattle."

"The process was cool, but it was really hard for me to leave Seattle." LaTrena Smith/NBAE/Getty Images

Acquired by the Storm in a deal with the Chicago Sky in June 2006, Robinson settled into the team's post rotation over the last year and a half. She took on a key role over the final month of the 2007 season after starting center Janell Burse underwent season-ending wrist surgery. Robinson started the last five games of the regular season and both Storm playoff games, averaging 4.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 blocks against the Phoenix Mercury in the postseason.

It helped Robinson's decision that she has a good relationship with the Storm's new Head Coach, Brian Agler. Agler was an assistant in Phoenix in 2004, when Robinson was a rookie for the Mercury.

"I feel so comfortable with him coaching me; I know I'll be better," said Robinson. "I feel like I was a better player in Phoenix when he was there. It was hard when he left."

The Storm has added depth to its post rotation, signing veteran All-Star center Yolanda Griffith as an unrestricted free agent to go along with Burse, Robinson and MVP Lauren Jackson in the frontcourt. To Griffith, any of the four could be starters in the right situation. The depth up front could cut into Robinson's role, but, she noted, she will get a chance at some point. Having her around could take on paramount importance when Jackson leaves the team in late July to train with the Australian National Team for the Olympics.

"There's no question she'll add depth in the post position," Agler said, calling Robinson the team's best athlete up front. "I feel good about our positioning there."

From Robinson's perspective, the addition of Griffith means another valuable role model.

"Who better to learn rebounding and defense and being a team player (from)?" she said. "And everybody who plays with her speaks so highly of her. I really want to take this all in and this is another year I can learn from the best."

Storm Players Remain Overseas

The Storm has 21 players on its training camp roster, but just 12 players in camp. Over the next month, veterans will trickle in from overseas. Within the next week, second-year wing Katie Gearlds and guards Roneeka Hodges and Doneeka Lewis should be in camp. Gearlds finished her season in Greece Sunday, while Lewis' last game in Italy is Wednesday. Hodges is also nearly finished in Spain, where newly-signed Kelly Santos is also playing.

Forward Swin Cash is playing in China with the U.S. Women's Senior National Team and is expected to join the Storm in Chicago for the team's April 30 exhibition game against the Sky. Burse should join the team early in May. Guard Tanisha Wright could be in early in May, depending on the outcome of her Raanana Hertzliya squad's performance in the Israeli Finals. Behind a near-triple-double from Wright, who fell one assist shy, Raanana took the first game of the best-of-five series Monday. The series could wrap up as early as next Monday or run through the following Monday, May 5.

The last Storm players to camp will likely be All-Stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, whose Spartak team has yet to begin semifinals play in Russia.

High Praise for O'Neill

For Storm rookie Kristen O'Neill, an Edmonds native who played at the University of Washington, having the opportunity to share the court with Sheryl Swoopes for workouts and pickup games last week was a thrill. At the same time, Swoopes liked what she saw from O'Neill.

MULTIMEDIA

The StormTracker blog has multimedia from Monday's media day, including audio and behind-the-scenes video.

"First of all, I didn't know that she was not drafted, because when I saw her play out here, I was very impressed," Swoopes said. "She can shoot the lights and has a great sense of the game, just totally understands basketball."

For O'Neill, the opportunity to try to make her local WNBA team is a thrill.

"It's surreal," she said. "I'm so excited for this opportunity and really just to learn from some of the best - the coaching staff and players. It's incredible the people we have here and I'm really looking forward to this."

O'Neill is wearing the number 20 with the Storm in honor of former UW teammate Kayla Burt, who returned after suffering cardiac arrest and being diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. The heart condition ultimately ended Burt's career prematurely during the senior season for both her and O'Neill, who came to UW together.

"I chose this number as a tribute to Kayla and the adversity she's been through," explained O'Neill. "She's such an inspiration to me. Every time I put on my jersey, it's a subtle reminder never to take the game for granted."

Griffith, whose traditional No. 33 is worn by Burse in Seattle, wanted a fresh start in terms of her jersey number. She ultimately chose No. 13, which she has worn for the U.S. in Olympic play.

The Storm opened camp with a team meeting and a walkthrough on Sunday before holding its first official practice Monday evening after media day.