Originally published March 30, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 5, 2007 at 8:37 AM
E-mail article
Print
ShareStorm signs forward Castro Marques
The Storm is one piece from returning its core from the 2006 season. On Thursday, the team announced the signing of forward Iziane Castro...
Seattle Times staff reporter
PREV
The Storm is one piece from returning its core from the 2006 season.
On Thursday, the team announced the signing of forward Iziane Castro Marques to a multi-year deal, leaving only point guard Sue Bird unsigned. Karen Bryant, Storm chief operating officer, said the only thing holding up Bird's contract is length.
The Storm's future is Seattle is contingent on the new owners securing a deal for a new arena in Renton. Although Bird has not stated she wouldn't relocate with the team if it were to move to Oklahoma City, the uncertainty could factor into the number of years for which she signs.
But Bird, like Castro Marques and center Janell Burse, who re-signed earlier this offseason, is amped about the upcoming season. The Storm should be healthy, and four of its starters have played together since the 2004 championship season.
"[Castro Marques] was Brazil's finest player at the World Championship this past fall," Storm coach Anne Donovan, who coached the U.S. team, said in a statement. "Izi really is starting to come in to her own as a player."
The 6-foot Castro Marques started 26 games last season and averaged 7.2 points and 2.1 rebounds. She was pulled from the starting lineup for rookie Barbara Turner because of poor offense and began grumbling about her future in Seattle. She contemplated playing for another team, but because she was a restricted free agent, Seattle had the right to match any offer.
Terms of her deal were not announced.
Donovan likes Castro Marques' speed and defensive capabilities, along with her slashing capabilities. With Turner, Shaunzinski Gortman and Tanisha Wright, the Storm will have a strong perimeter rotation.
The Storm is in need of a reserve point guard, with Edwige Lawson-Wade deciding to take a break from playing basketball year-round and not return to Seattle. A backup could be acquired in Wednesday's draft, in which the Storm has the seventh pick.
"We've looked at a lot of different scenarios, but at this point it looks like we'll keep [pick] seven and get a quality player," Donovan said.
Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com
NFL, union resume labor talks at mediator's office
UPDATE - 08:52 AM
Hundreds attend funeral for fallen Mich. player
UPDATE - 09:40 AM
Norway's Tarjei Boe wins men's biathlon at worlds
Crying is OK, but admitting it is apparently not
NEW - 08:46 AM
Tripoli ruled unsafe for international soccer
911 audio: Caseworker reports Josh Powell has locked children inside his home
911 audio: Caseworker reports Josh Powell's house on fire with children inside
911 audio: Sister of Josh Powell reports disturbing emails
Chuck Cox reacts to Powell home fire, death of his grandsons
Sheriff's update: Josh Powell spread gasoline in home fire, sent goodbye emails
Don Bateman, inventor of Ground Proximity Warning System
Pierce County sheriff reacts to Powell home fire
Price of Protection: A victim speaks out
Price of Protection: Inside the Special Commitment Center
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
Open Houses
|
Find all open houses.
|
nwautos
Are you one of the many hanging onto their old beater? Or do you just love that new-car smell? When did you last purchase a vehicle? Take our poll or....
Post a comment
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Proposal to link Market, aquarium may be too ambitious for Seattle
- Chilling 911 tapes reveal pleas for help to go to Josh Powell home
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- UW's Shawn Kemp Jr. makes own way despite familiar name, number | Steve Kelley
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- NBA's David Stern open to league returning to Seattle
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
434 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming 346
- Sheriff's office unhappy with 911 dispatcher in caseworker's call 282
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising 235
- Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement 203
- Oregon live game thread 152
- Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game 140
- Lakewood cop accused of taking donations for slain officers' families 114
- Department of Justice owes the Seattle Police Department an apology 87
- Thursday morning links --- and a video!!! 71
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Here it is: The secret to stir-fried chicken | Taste
- Local aerospace suppliers say they feel squeezed by Boeing
- Dicks channeled federal money to Puget Sound project his son ran
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
- Buttoned Up: Nine immutable laws of time management
- Happy Hour: French-accented charm at Gainsbourg
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
