Originally published February 23, 2009 at 4:58 PM | Page modified February 23, 2009 at 6:38 PM

Storm signs veteran guard Shannon Johnson

Johnson, a four-time WNBA All-Star, will back up Storm star Sue Bird.

Seattle Times staff reporter

Defensive leaders Yolanda Griffith and Sheryl Swoopes may be gone, but Storm coach Brian Agler simply found another Olympian to help execute his grinding style.

Agler, who also is the team's director of player personnel, has signed four-time WNBA All-Star Shannon Johnson. Terms were not disclosed. Johnson, an athletic point guard, started 32 games with the defunct Houston Comets last summer, averaging 7.1 points and 5.1 assists.

Johnson's primary role in Seattle will be to back up Sue Bird. The Seattle point guards are familiar with each other, winning Olympic gold for Team USA in 2004. Johnson, a 10-year veteran, also has given Bird fits in regular-season games dating to the latter's rookie season in 2002, when Johnson played for Orlando.

Johnson, 34, also knows Agler, who was an assistant coach while she was in San Antonio in 2005 and 2006.

"With the addition of Shannon, we now have tremendous experience and depth at the guard spots," Agler said in a statement.

Agler re-signed Tanisha Wright earlier this offseason, and he plans to play Wright at both backcourt positions. Bird can also play either spot, now that Agler has a proven ballhandler in Johnson.

The Storm has nine players under contract. The WNBA limit is 11 under an $803,000 salary cap. Agler still wants to sign two-time MVP Lauren Jackson and mentioned that the team's 2009 draft pick could be a significant piece on this season's roster.

Seattle, which traded its second-round pick to acquire forward Camille Little last summer, selects 12th and 38th overall in the April 9 draft. The Storm also invited returnees in forwards Kelly Santos and Kristen O'Neill and point guard Kimberly Beck, the team's third-round draft pick in 2008, to training camp.

"We're focusing on the priorities and plan we put in place last fall after the season," Agler, via phone from Spain, said of wanting backcourt backup and productive depth along the front line. "Not everything is going to go your way, but [we're] not going to get off track and start making decisions outside of the original plan."

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

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