Seattle Storm players Swin Cash and Katie Gearlds, both of whom stand 6-foot-1, served coffee and food to customers Tuesday morning at the Westlake Center Starbucks Kiosk. Cash and Gearlds were part of a promotion that saw six players at three different Starbucks locations talking to fans and raising awareness for the start of the 2008 Storm season.

“It’s nice to be able to give back to Seattle,” Gearlds said. “Seattle has one of the best, if not the best, fan base.”

Throughout the morning Cash and Gearlds talked with customers and employees, signed autographs and let them know about the home opener this Saturday against the Chicago Sky. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at KeyArena.

“See you Saturday,” one customer said to Gearlds as she was exiting the store.

Gearlds greeted customers at the door with free samples, while Cash passed out drinks the customers ordered. Both players passed out schedules and vouchers that could be redeemed for a free ticket through the Storm’s “First One’s On Us” promotion.

“An opportunity like this gives me a chance to show my personality and that I am not just a basketball player,” said Cash, who also carved in time for a on-air radio interview.