Storm Notebook | Kraayeveld coming home in fine form

You've heard of a similar tale.

Mop-top brunette girl sits in historic Madison Square Garden watching the New York Knicks play the Chicago Bulls and dreams of someday playing on the same court as greats like Charles Oakley and Michael Jordan. Missing her chance in high school and college, Sue Bird travels west to join the Storm and finally plays In basketball's mecca as a WNBA rookie in 2002.

"It's always a highlight," said Bird, a native of Long Island. "It's quoted as the 'most famous arena in the world' and when you're from New York, you truly believe that. It was exciting playing there. At one point I could name every Knick."

For Cathrine Kraayeveld the story is a little different. There wasn't the fanfare of a New Yorker coming home. In fact, the New York team played savior to her uncertain WNBA career.

And now she's returning the favor, helping her franchise stun the league with a third-place standing in the Eastern Conference as the Liberty (8-7) prepare to play Seattle (7-7) tonight at KeyArena.

Kraayeveld, a 6-foot-4 forward, is returning home. A Lake Washington High School product, she starred at Oregon before San Antonio made her the No. 27 overall in the 2005 WNBA draft, in the third round.

The third round is not a desirable spot. Of the 13 third-round selections that year, only three remain in the league. Connecticut guards Jamie Carey (No. 31) and Megan Mahoney (No. 34) are the two others.

Kraayeveld was cut by the Silver Stars during training camp. But the Liberty picked her up midway through the season on July 1. She spent her rookie season as a reserve, trying to make an impression on the hallowed court, averaging 4.1 points in 17 games. Kraayeveld worked her way to start 13 games last summer and is a staple of the starting lineup this season. She is averaging 11.3 points, which ranks third on her squad, with a team-leading 5.6 rebounds.

"Being cut by San Antonio didn't affect me," said Kraayeveld, who played overseas for four months in Belgium and trained locally on the Eastside to prepare for her third pro season. "I knew I could play somewhere. I'm happy it worked out the way it did because I love being in New York. My style of play fits in really well with the Liberty and the coach's system."

The Liberty, picked to finish last by analysts, opened the season with five straight wins, losing to defending champion Detroit in a matchup of unbeatens on June 8. New York has been inconsistent since, posting a 3-7 record, but soundly defeated Los Angeles 80-68 on Friday in the second game of its current four-game trip.

Kraayeveld, daughter of former Seahawk Dave Kraayeveld (1978), is just the tip of the improvements the Liberty has made for its future. During the offseason general manager Carol Blazejowski shipped fan-favorite Becky Hammon to San Antonio in exchange for No. 2 overall pick Jessica Davenport and a 2008 first-round draft pick. On June 20, the Liberty acquired guard Lisa Willis from the Sparks for Sherill Baker.

While New York looks like a band of castaways from the outside, the young group actually has history together. Willis and guard Loree Moore won three California state championships together at Narbonne High in Harbor City. Plus nearly all reported on time to training camp, where most of the chemistry was built.

The group would like to re-cultivate the Liberty's winning ways from when the league began in 1997. New York made trips to the WNBA Finals four of the first six years, but has not advanced to the playoffs since 2005

But if a blond-haired forward can achieve her dream, the Liberty will be back.

"Nobody cares about who gets the credit," said Kraayeveld, who'll have about 50 people cheering for her tonight. "For us, it's about playing well together as a team and being scrappy and aggressive. We've just got to continue to do that, and hopefully we'll be happy with the effort we gave."

Lennox ailing

Storm guard Betty Lennox did not participate in Saturday's practice. She had an MRI on her right Achilles instead. Results were not immediately available.

Lennox, the team's second-leading scorer (12.3), said the injury has lingered since training camp. She is probable for tonight's game.

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