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.

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.