Storm signs Janell Burse

If Storm forward Lauren Jackson doesn't return for the 2009 season, at least the team will have Janell Burse in the post.

Burse, a 6-foot-5 center, signed with the Storm on Monday. She signed a similar deal with the Storm in May, but the contract was revoked when she aggravated a foot injury playing in the Czech Republic.

The Storm suspended Burse last season in a salary-cap move, but retained her rights. The Storm was the only WNBA team she could negotiate with this season. She has spent the past year rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries.

This winter, Burse met with Storm coach Brian Agler in Houston and Moscow, where she is currently playing. Burse, 29, signed for less than the $95,000 she agreed to last spring, but full details of the contract were not disclosed.

Burse should be able to report to training camp on time in May — if she's is able to continue to make it through the Russian season healthy. Burse is playing for Dynamo, which reached the EuroCup quarterfinals. She averages 13.7 points, leading the team in rebounds (8.8).

"Russia's OK, it's a job like anywhere else," said Burse via e-mail. "It's just a blessing to be playing without a bunch of nagging injuries. By me not playing this summer, I wanted to play in a good league overseas and I believe the Russian league is the toughest."

Burse's team is in contention for the title against the Jackson and Sue Bird-led Spartak.

Gradually improving through seven WNBA seasons, Burse averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Storm in 2007. She played 29 games, missing some games because of a wrist injury.

Agler originally drafted Burse in 2001, with Minnesota.

Swoopes not retiring

Sheryl Swoopes will coach The Overlake School's final game on Thursday, but said just because the Storm cut her, she's not immediately leaving Seattle.

Her son attends school on the eastside and she is working out to join another WNBA team. Swoopes, 37, had back surgery in October 2007, averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 boards last season for Seattle and feels she can contribute.

Yet, with the WNBA eliminating 39 jobs with Houston folding and roster trims from 13 to 11 players, she might not get the chance.

"I feel healthier now than I have in two years," said Swoopes, a three-time MVP. "That's what frustrates me the most — I wasn't given that opportunity to come back and show them everything that I can bring to the team. But I'm not retiring.

"Had I been released earlier, I would have had a great chance of making another team. The fact that it was done at the last possible minute [Jan. 31], I think there is a possibility that it could hurt. At this point, all I want is an opportunity."

Note

• In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Storm is holding a 500-word essay contest. The topic is: How have girls' and women's athletics impacted my life? Entries will be accepted in categories for ages 8-13, 14-18 and 19 and older. The deadline is Feb. 28.

To enter an essay, or for more information, go to storm.wnba.com. The first 100 entries receive two tickets to a Storm exhibition game. The grand prize is four tickets to an exhibition game, a jersey and a $150 gift card.

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