Originally published March 9, 2009 at 5:04 PM | Page modified March 9, 2009 at 10:08 PM

Storm's Swin Cash has back surgery

Veteran forward says she expects to be ready for start of WNBA season.

Seattle Times staff reporter

Storm forward Swin Cash underwent back surgery Monday.

Cash, 29, has had trouble with a herniated disc in her lower back since 2007. During the leaguewide Olympic break in August, she received a cortisone shot to alleviate pain and was advised by doctors to undergo surgery then, which would have prevented her from playing in the team's final eight games and opening-round playoff series.

She opted not to have the surgery then, instead limiting herself in practice and working through the pain. After the season, Cash honored a contract to play in the Czech Republic, then returned for the operation.

Dr. Joseph Maroon performed the procedure at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center near Cash's hometown of McKeesport, Pa.

"It's been a long time coming, so trust me, I'm excited to go in and get this done and get headed in the right direction — which is to play healthy this WNBA season," Cash told viewers before the surgery, in a video blog on her Web site, www.swincash.com.

Cash's rehabilitation period is projected at eight to 12 weeks, meaning she should be able to participate in training camp and be healthy for the Storm's season opener at Sacramento on June 6. Camp opens May 17.

Cash, a projected returnee to the starting lineup, averaged 11.3 points and 5.4 rebounds for Seattle in 2008. She appeared in 28 games, missing some due to a benching, family emergency and injury.

"Swin played in pain last season, so we are all looking forward to her being healthy this summer," Storm coach Brian Agler said in a statement.

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