Storm makes Turner final cut

Barbara Turner gambled and lost. Twice.

A first-round pick in the 2006 draft, Turner was cut by the Storm on Wednesday, after rushing back to Seattle from playing overseas to contend for her WNBA roster spot.

The harried return didn't help. Storm coach Anne Donovan, who's also director of player personnel, selected free-agent forward Shyra Ely for her final roster position.

Seattle now has 11 players under contract, the expected lineup for the 2007 season.

"She's just doing her job," Turner said this week of Donovan's predicament.

The decision wasn't easy. Donovan drafted Turner with the 11th pick and the Connecticut forward entered that camp as the favorite to unseat veteran Iziane Castro Marques.

In fact, when Castro Marques struggled midway through the 18-16 season, the 6-foot Turner started nine games.

The coach signed the 6-2 Ely in April, liking the free agent's size and her ability to play both forward positions and defend from the point to the post.

"We faced a very difficult decision with our last spot," Donovan said in a statement. "Her [Ely's] size and ability to play both perimeter and post earned her a Storm uniform."

Ely was also in camp to demonstrate those skills.

Turner hurt her chances of returning to the Storm because she missed the exhibition season to play in Turkey. Her team in Istanbul advanced to the finals, winning the title Tuesday, but Turner decided to return to Seattle instead of play in Game 7 to contend for her WNBA roster spot.

"It was a breach of contract, so all of that stuff went into play," Turner said. "I would love to go back over there and play, if I got the opportunity. I don't know now that I left."

But she made that decision Saturday, arriving Sunday. Turner had three practices with the team and despite knowing the system, her size was a disadvantage.

Donovan said Turner can only play on the perimeter because of her height — although Turner played power forward in college and some last season when Wendy Palmer suffered an Achilles injury.

"It's a business," said Ely, who grew close to Turner when both played in Israel last winter and believes the two will remain friends.

Donovan is restricted to an 11-player roster instead of the league maximum 13 because of the $728,000 salary cap.

Turner, who made $34,980 last summer, finished her rookie season averaging 6.4 points and 2.5 rebounds. .

Notes

• Ashley Robinson (Achilles) did not practice Wednesday.

• The Storm will not practice today and opens its season Saturday at KeyArena.

• Sonics legends Lenny Wilkens and Jack Sikma will be among the celebrities serving pizza at a Save Our Sonics and Storm fundraiser on Friday at SPORT Restaurant and Bar in Seattle from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com