Storm coach pleased with guard Tanisha Wright's return

It's a smile a Storm coach normally reserves for guard Sue Bird's arrival.

But stretched across Storm coach Brian Agler's face on Thursday was a look of happiness.

The reason? The return of guard Tanisha Wright.

"I have a chance to be a huge Tanisha fan," Agler said. "Our defense got a lot better today. We watched film of our game against Sacramento and players have sort of taken note of some of the things we need to improve on. That's one reason, but our defense got better today because of Tanisha Wright. Her presence and her poise and communication out there on the defensive end — I'm excited about her potential."

Wright arrived on Wednesday, a week after her Israeli team lost in the championship finals. She said she was delayed because the team stalled her final payment, but added that she departed on good terms with the organization.

In her first practice, Wright was commanding on offense and readily displayed the defensive skills that made her a three-time Big Ten defensive player of the year (2003-05) at Penn State. She played point guard in practice, and will be vying for the backup spot to Bird, but Agler noted that Wright is a natural shooting guard.

In three seasons under former coach Anne Donovan, Wright was being molded to be a point guard. Agler said she could still play the position, but he likes her as one of the better on-ball perimeter defenders and strong shooter.

And all of these impressions were made by a player who got little sleep.

"Of course I'm tired," said Wright, who averaged 4.1 points and 2 assists last season, starting five games in place of Bird when she was injured. "But I don't have any other choice but to be active and at least pretending like I'm doing something.

"He [Agler] obviously said he wanted me to be here and I can see why because it's a lot of stuff, a lot of different things that you need to be here in order to get a feel for and pick up on."

Wright was named the MVP of the league in Israel, averaging 21.3 points and leading the league in assists (6.2).

Two rookies cut

Agler, also director of player personnel, cut rookies Allie Quigley and Natalie Doma after practice on Thursday. Quigley, a guard, was the team's second-round draft pick while Doma, a forward, was signed as a free agent.

Agler said both need development overseas. Doma has already signed to play in France this fall.

"They both have a chance to do something in this league," Agler said. "But it's a numbers game, you start bringing people in and you've got to find room for them."

The active Storm roster stands at 13 players.

Agler will most likely make three more cuts once co-captains Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson arrive from play in Russia.

Swoopes injured

Storm forward Sheryl Swoopes suffered her second injury, rolling her left ankle during a drill at the end of practice. Swoopes had an obvious limp, but Agler said he expects her to return today.

Agler would like to play Swoopes at least 20 minutes in Saturday's exhibition finale against Indiana at KeyArena. Swoopes, who is returning from back surgery last fall, has been limited to 23 minutes in two exhibition games and strained her neck against Sacramento May 2.

Agler said he'd also like to get closer to the expected rotation for the regular season. But the staff needs to take closer looks at Wright, forward Kelly Santos and guard Roneeka Hodges.

The Storm will also have a shared practice with Indiana on Sunday where evaluations will be made.

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