Talking Training Camp

Would you believe that we're nine days away from the Storm and the rest of the WNBA opening training camp? With yesterday's three signings, the Storm is pretty close to set for May 17. There are 17 players on the roster, and while just 15 are allowed in camp, the Storm will have some players in to camp late.

- Suzy Batkovic will not be participating as she prepares for her wedding on May 30, as she is still in action overseas.
- Lauren Jackson's status is not yet resolved. Jackson will be in Batkovic's wedding party, and it may not make sense for her to make the arduous trip from Australia to Seattle only to go back again shortly thereafter.
- Swin Cash is awaiting clearance to begin practicing. According to Brian Agler's interview with WNBA.com earlier this week, Cash has a doctor's appointment scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 - 10 weeks from her back surgery.

So the Storm will be going over 15 players on the roster to have a full complement around for the first week of practices and the preseason opener at KeyArena on May 21 against Sacramento.

"We have a good idea who our core group is going to be, but we have a couple of spots up in the air," Agler said earlier this week. "We'll just let that play out on the training-camp floor."

The Storm now has 11 players under contract, but has the flexibility for competition should one of the training-camp invitees or third-round pick Mara Freshour play their way onto the roster.

Between now and then, the coaching staff is preparing, said Agler: "Right now, we're sort of focusing on getting our practices and our training camp organized and just getting excited for the 17th."

I hope you're getting excited for the start of camp as well. The countdown is officially on.