Done deal! Seattle Storm announces the signing of a top superstar
The Seattle Storm made an official announcement today declaring the contract extension of WNBA Champion and two-time WNBA All-Defensive team honoree Ezi Magbegor. The specific terms of the extension were not disclosed, as per team policy.
Talisa Rhea, the Storm General Manager, expressed, “Ezi exemplifies the Storm culture; she profoundly influences every facet of the game on the court and acts as a unifying force within our Seattle community and fan base off the court. Ezi is a standout performer in this league, a fundamental part of our team and our quest for championships, and we are delighted that she has chosen to remain in Seattle.”
Magbegor has kicked off the 2024 season with remarkable performance once again. She currently leads the league in blocks (24) and blocks per game (3.0), consistently recording at least two blocks in each game. Additionally, she has achieved double-digit scoring in seven out of eight games this season, averaging 13.6 points per game and contributing 8.6 rebounds per game.
In 2023, Magbegor secured a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive team for the second consecutive season, ranking second in the league for blocks (1.9 blocks per game) and 10th in rebounds (8.1 rebounds per game). She closed the season with a franchise record of 322 rebounds, and her 74 blocks marked the second-highest in team history. Magbegor, who made her debut in the WNBA All-Star game in 2023, achieved career-high averages of 13.8 points per game, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals, with a field goal percentage of 51.3% ranking ninth in the league.
Expressing her commitment, Magbegor shared, “Seattle is where I belong. It has been my second home for the past 5 years, and I am enthusiastic about the progress we are making as a team. I am thrilled to pledge myself to an organization that sets the bar for women’s sports and excels as a professional sports team both on and off the court.”
Approaching her 25th birthday in August, Magbegor has participated in 133 league games and clinched a championship with the Storm in 2020. In her recent two seasons, Magbegor’s performance has escalated, averaging 11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, with an overall field goal percentage of 52.6%. During the 2023 season, she became the 14th player to achieve 1,000 points and 650 rebounds with the Storm, ranking as the third youngest in franchise history to accomplish this feat.
Magbegor represented Australia in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Brazil, averaging 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. She was honored as the Tournament Most Valuable Player and guided the Opals to an undefeated record, securing qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Magbegor contributed to Australia’s victory with a bronze medal at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and a silver medal in the 2018 World Cup.
During the WNBA offseason, Magbegor excelled in EuroLeague competition with ZVVZ USK Praha in the Czech Republic, leading the league with 2.4 blocks per game, ranking third in rebounds with 8.2 per game, and tenth in scoring with 13.2 points per game.
