Behind-the-scene story about Suzy Batkovic-Brown's return to Storm

Suzy Batkovic-Brown isn't supposed to be here.

Drafted in 2003 by former the Storm coach Anne Donovan and playing one season in 2005, Batkovic-Brown wished good riddance to the WNBA. She appeared in 29 games, averaging 6.9 points and nearly collecting as many personal fouls (85) as rebounds (94).

The experience? Not great.

"I had it really hard with Anne," said Batkovic-Brown, who averaged 15.9 minutes off the bench. "She's very different than what I'm used to, so I did find it difficult. At that stage, coming back wasn't something I wanted to do in my life. Europe is what I focus on for eight months out of the year."

Add two ankle injuries and getting married, and a return to the WNBA wasn't atop her priority list.

Yet while playing in Russia last January, Storm forward Lauren Jackson received a surprising message from her former teammate: The Storm was talking with Batkovic-Brown about returning.

The 6-foot-4 center has been Jackson's best friend since the two were roommates at the Australian Institute of Sport as teenagers. They hung INXS posters on the wall and tried to sneak into concerts while becoming the country's top post players.

"Mate, if I go back to Seattle you have to come and play," Batkovic-Brown told Jackson as her friend was being wooed as an unrestricted free agent.

A faint smile crossed Jackson's face as she recalled her ex-roomie's statement.

"I was like, 'What? You told me you were never going to play in the WNBA again!' " she said. "That's when I sort of went, 'Oh, this is going to be awesome.' "

Batkovic-Brown officially signed in February. She didn't arrive until June 7, however, marrying Matt Brown and going on a brief honeymoon. Jackson was the maid of honor, and 100 people attended the beach side affair.

The two Aussies, center Janell Burse, and guards Tanisha Wright and Sue Bird are the only remaining players from 2005.

"Compared to where she was in '05, she's come a long way with her game," Burse said of Batkovic-Brown, who was named first-team All-EuroCup while playing in Italy.

The Storm immediately departed on a three-game road trip when Batkovic-Brown arrived, so she has yet to adjust on the court. That will take more practices in coach Brian Agler's new system.

Batkovic-Brown made her season debut against Minnesota last week, but Tuesday was her first real practice with the Storm (3-2).

"She'll make good progress," Agler said of this week. "How that plays into minutes will be decided this week."

Bird said the left-handed Batkovic-Brown has a traditional European game that relies on her outside shooting, but she can also post up.

"I'm comfortable being here, it's just getting to know the plays and the systems," she said. "I'll just take it as it goes."

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