Ezi Ezi Ezi Oi Oi Oi! The Storm have announced the signing of Ezi Magbegor, which was first reported by Rachel Galligan. Terms of the deal have yet to be specified, but the Storm have been trying to lock in the All-Defensive Second Team player to a long-term deal. Magbegor joins fellow Australian and newly-signed guard Sami Whitcomb as well as Kia Nurse, Jewell Loyd, Mercedes Russell, and Kaila Charles on the Storm’s current roster.
Magbegor thrived as a starter in the beginning of the 2022 season, capturing career highs in points per game (12.6), minutes ( 30.6), and rebounds (6.6) before the addition of Tina Charles midseason. Although Charles joining the team led to Magbegor coming off the bench in the latter part of the year, Ezi was still able to end the season with career highs of 9.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.8 BPG, and 0.9 SPG.
The 23-year-old oozes potential and has a ceiling that many—including the Storm front office—believe remains untapped. A member of the Australian national team, Ezi has improved her game every season of her young WNBA career. Seattle’s roster is in a rebuild phase after losing starters Sue Bird (to retirement) and Breanna Stewart (to New York in free agency). In addition, Tina Charles has yet to sign with a team, but she could be the third starter Seattle loses this offseason, clearing a way for Ezi to shine.
Offensively, Magbegor is a strong finisher and stellar slasher, using her 6’4” frame and athleticism to slice through the lane and beat her defender to the rim. She has begun to extend her range, an anecdote the Storm hopes continues, but it is on the defensive side that Magbegor shines. Last season, she ranked second in the league in total blocks and earned a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. One of the few remaining players from the Storm’s 2020 championship team, Ezi will become a focal point and cornerstone for a new-look Storm.
