Overseas Updates Resume

National leagues are back in operation after the holidays, so it's time to look overseas once again. With Euroleague play currently on break until the start of the playoffs, the typical schedule is also different right now. The Russian Superleague is playing games midweek, including Spartak winning 116-71 yesterday. Sue Bird had 11 points and four assists, with Lauren Jackson scoring 18. They combined to shoot 12-of-18 from the field - a little worse than Spartak shot as a team in the blowout.

Cadi La Seu lost a thriller in overtime Sunday to Perfumerias Avenida, falling 82-80. Kelly Santos came off the bench but played 28 minutes, scoring 17 points and grabbing six rebounds. Santos matched up with Michelle Snow, who had 22 points and 12 boards.

In Turkey, Ted Kayseri Koleji lost 93-66 without the services of Camille Little and Lisa Willis.

ZVVZ USK Praha got a double-double from Swin Cash (11 points, 10 rebounds) in an 86-58 victory over Kara Trutnov.

At 13-0, Athinaikos remains undefeated in Greek A1 League play. The perfect record survived a scare against Pantahinaikos, with Athinaikos holding on for a 63-62 victory. Katie Gearlds had 13 points and six rebounds.

UL Aughnish kicked off 2009 on Jan. 3, beating Meteors Basketball Club 63-56. Kristen O'Neill scored a game-high 35 points, knocking down five three-pointers and making eight free throws. O'Neill pulled down 11 boards and had five steals.

Euroleague All-Star Voting Under Way

It's All-Star voting time. No, not just in the NBA, but also in Euroleague. Once again, fans will decide the starting lineups for the 2009 Euroleague All-Star Game via FIBAEurope.com. The format of the Euroleague All-Star Game, to be played March 8 in Paris, features a team of Europe's finest against players from the Rest of the World.

Last year, Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson from the Storm were starters, and you have to like their chances again this season - especially if you make sure to vote.

Liberty Matches Kraayeveld Offer

The New York Liberty announced this morning the decision to match the Storm's offer sheet to forward Cathrine Kraayeveld.

I had a chance to speak with Brian Agler this morning, and we'll have something up later today looking at where the Storm stands in free agency a week in.

Agler: One Year Later

Wrapping up a busy debut week for "This Date in Storm History," today is the one-year anniversary of Brian Agler taking over as the Storm's head coach. When I had Agler on the phone recently, I made a point of asking him about his take on the first year. In particular, I was thinking about accomplishments, like how Agler mentioned improving defensively as his top priority during his introductory press conference. The Storm allowed the league's fewest points per game, so that goal was achieved en route to a franchise-record 22 wins.

However, Agler took the question in a different (and better) direction, paying special tribute to the Storm's fans:

I've thoroughly enjoyed the first 12 months. I've enjoyed working with the players, I've enjoyed working with the staff, I've enjoyed working with the new ownership. The fans in Seattle are all and more what's been advertised. It's obviously a lot better to be on the home team's side at KeyArena than the visiting team's side. I've experienced both. It's just been fabulous.

Moving forward, we want to continue to play extremely well at home and we want to have the opportunity to put ourselves in position to win a championship each and every year. We feel like if we can catch a break or two in free agency or in the draft, we can stay right there in the hunt.

Storm Signs Kraayeveld to Offer Sheet

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

As has been rumored on the RebKell message boards, the Storm has signed New York Liberty forward Cathrine Kraayeveld to an offer sheet. Because Kraayeveld is a restricted free agent, the Liberty has until Monday to decide whether to match the offer or allow Kraayeveld to join the Storm. Kraayeveld, 27, is a native of the Seattle suburbs who played at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland before attending the University of Oregon.

After being waived by San Antonio during training camp of her rookie season, Kraayeveld became a fixture in New York, starting all 34 games for the playoff-bound Liberty the last two years. Just six other players in the WNBA started every game in both 2007 and 2008. Last season, Kraayeveld averaged 9.6 points and a career-high 6.1 rebounds per game.

A 6-4 forward, Kraayeveld is unique in her ability to stretch the defense with her shooting range. She was seventh in the WNBA in three-pointers (62) in 2008, and ranked 13th in the league in three-point percentage (.376) after shooting a career-best 41.1 percent from downtown the previous year. Kraayeveld helped pace a Liberty offense that led the league in threes.

Kraayeveld is one of three Washingtonians currently playing in the WNBA, a group that also includes the Storm's Kristen O'Neill. The Storm will know by Monday whether Kraayeveld will be returning home to continue her career.

One Year Ago Today

Off the top of my head, I'd have a tough time picking the biggest day in the history of the Seattle Storm franchise. (Advance warning: This might be a poll as part of our 10th Anniversary celebration.) Oct. 10, 2004 has to be up there, and I'll never forget Aug. 9, 2002 (when the Storm defeated Portland in a must-win game en route to the first playoff appearance in franchise history).

For all the great games and all the acquisitions, it would be hard to top Jan. 8, 2008. As we remember in This Date in Storm History, one year ago today was when the Storm announced the team's sale from The Professional Basketball Club, L.L.C. to Force 10 Hoops L.L.C., the group of four local businesswomen committed to keeping the Storm in Seattle. With the Sonics now playing in Oklahoma City, we know the alternative we avoided.

The ensuing 365 days - actually 366, since 2008 was a leap year - have been a thrilling ride, from Brian Agler putting together a star-studded roster to a franchise record of wins to beginning life as an independent, stand-alone franchise.

I'm curious to get your memories of Jan. 8, 2008 (mine are all positive except for accidentally failing to record an interview with all four owners after the press conference ... oops) and thoughts on the first year of Force 10 Hoops as an ownership group.

This Date in Storm History

The Storm's 10th Anniversary season is a great chance to revisit the organization's rich history, which you will see on storm.wnba.com throughout 2009. That process kicks off in earnest with This Date in Storm History, a feature we'll continue to update all throughout the year.

Fortunately, we're able to start looking back with a day that features two notable events from franchise history, one related to the lead-up to the Storm's inaugural season and the other the addition of a key piece of the 2004 championship roster.

So what are you waiting for? Go check out This Date in Storm History and continue to do so all 2009 long.