Originally published Monday, May 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Health of Storm's Burse in question, coach says
An injury might keep center Janell Burse, who has been playing basketball in Prague, from joining the Storm, coach Brian Agler said. Agler didn't specify Burse's...
Seattle Times staff reporter
An injury might keep center Janell Burse, who has been playing basketball in Prague, from joining the Storm, coach Brian Agler said.
Agler didn't specify Burse's injury and was vague about the timing of her return.
"Her health is in question right now, that's probably the best way to put it," Agler said. He said she has missed her Czech Republic team's past few games.
"We're probably going to make an announcement coming up about her situation this season," Agler said. "We're still in dialogue with her and her agent. That's all I can say on that."
Burse was unavailable for comment Sunday.
Burse, 28, who was re-signed as an unrestricted free agent last month, has suffered injuries the past two seasons. She had surgery on her left wrist in August and missed the last five games of the 2007 season. She also missed seven games of the 2006 season with a partial tear in her left shoulder; she opted not to have surgery. Burse complained to The Seattle Times in May 2007 of "lingering" pain from a broken foot suffered in Prague in winter 2006.
Agler mentioned a fracture in Burse's foot that might not be healed.
"That's sort of been an issue here of late," Agler said. "We're not real clear on what the ending is going to be, but we'll know in the next couple of days."
Burse worked her way into the Storm's starting lineup under former coach Anne Donovan, and she played on the 2004 championship team. The second-round draft pick was acquired via trade from Minnesota in April 2004.
At 6-foot-5 with strong rebounding skills and a developing midrange shot, Burse was expected to compete with veteran Yolanda Griffith for the starting role and add depth inside.
Notes
• Forward Sheryl Swoopes did not participate in contact drills Sunday. She suffered a strained neck against Sacramento on Friday and MRI results were negative.
![]()
• Agler was impressed with Brazilian forward Kelly Santos' first full practice on Sunday. At 6-3, she could add to the rotation of post players with returning center Ashley Robinson.
"I thought Kelly gave us a good practice out there," Agler said. "I was sort of impressed. First impressions have been real positive."
• Guard Tanisha Wright is waiting on her last paycheck from the team she played for in Israel and isn't expected in Seattle until Wednesday at the earliest.
Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
WNBA | Phoenix's Diana Taurasi is cited for DUI
Phoenix's Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi lead Mercury's 93-81 victory over Storm
KeyArena searches for life after the Sonics
West-leading Minnesota defeats Dream in Atlanta

Tribal Fireworks Rivalry
The Fourth of July marks a long-standing fireworks rivalry between two clans of a Native-American family in Suquamish.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Saturday, Jul. 4th
- Kuhlman Summer Sale
- Alhambra July Sale
- Seattle Premium Outlets July 4th Summ...
- Evo Independence Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling'
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- 6 jurors swear a cop's wife swayed panel in Kent civil rights case
- Fire sends service providers scrambling
- Going to Gas Works Park? Good luck
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
- More than 1 million seek tix for Jackson memorial
- Rob Johnson's double in 11th powers Mariners past Red Sox, 7-6
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
747 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/04 game thread
244 - Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
99 - Reports: NKorean missile arrives at launch site
97 - Palin's Declaration of Independence
73 - Mariners score unlikely win over Red Sox in battle of bullpens
58 - Rob Johnson ties a club record as Mariners win 7-6 in 11 innings
54 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
52 - Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
40 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
39
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Going to Gas Works Park? Good luck
- Liven up Fremont's attempt to break a world record for a 'zombie walk'
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Lynnwood's City Bank gets tighter scrutiny
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- Retail Report | Pet-supply shops grow while other retailers fade
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling'
- Fire sends service providers scrambling
- Oregon woman obsessed with rabbits back in jail



