A breath of fresh PNW air for Storm guard Erica Wheeler
By Christan Braswell, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - When Erica Wheeler signed with our Seattle Storm in free agency, her arrival was touted as a significant upgrade within the team’s veteran leadership compared to last season. With ten years in the league, there isn’t much she hasn’t seen.
Throughout training camp, this hasn’t been the case. On media day, the All-Star guard waxed poetically about Seattle’s structure has lessened her workload in this regard.
“For me, I think with this group, it’s been super great to have Nneka [Ogwumike], Sky [Skylar Diggins], and AC [Alysha Clark],” Wheeler said. “They communicate on a very high level. So, for me, I haven’t even had to be a leader. So, I feel like I’m just sitting back and enjoying them three just lead. Super refreshing that I don’t have to have that weight over my shoulders. Then, just being able to play loose and learn from them at the same time, because they’re great at communicating. So, for me, I just think I’m happy that I have that because I’ve always had to be the one to talk up and do all these things. I’m just happy to have a breath of fresh air that I can just lock in on me and yell like I want to.”
Seattle Storm veteran guard Erica Wheeler during the teams preseason win over the Connecticut Sun at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday, May 4th, 2025. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)
In Seattle’s 79-59 win over the Connecticut Sun in their sole preseason appearance, Wheeler tallied four points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Her energy was infectious in her 19 minutes and time spent on the bench. After experiencing live competition and a budding camaraderie with her new team, Wheeler spoke with Circling Seattle Sports last week on her experience since signing with Seattle.
“It’s been different because for the past six years, I’ve had to be the top leader,” said Wheeler. “I’m organizing everything and making sure everybody’s on time and doing all these things. Here, I just really have to worry about myself because you have veterans and rookies that want to be good, so everybody is on time. The beauty of it is being able to have Nneka [Ogwumike] again. And Skylar [Diggins] is a leader by example. Then you have Ezi [Magbegor], who’s stepping into that leadership role, who also leads by example. And AC, who leads by example and is vocal. So, for me, I’m really just doing my job. I don’t have to worry about too many things because everybody is on their [expletive]. That’s the beauty of it and why it makes it so enjoyable to come to work. You just have to get your stuff in and then you’re good.”
Signing with Seattle wasn’t an option Wheeler had considered previously. She mentioned previously that she had other offers, but ultimately chose the Storm and has loved her decision ever since.
“I tell people all the time, like Seattle is not a place that I ever thought I would be,” said Wheeler. “But this last year taught me a lot and to get out of my bubble. It taught me to be more open. When it came to my decision, I tell people all the time that out of my 10 years, it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Wheeler has served as a full-time starter and primary ball handler for most of her career. As her years in the league increased, so did the responsibilities. Entering her 11th season and first with the Storm, her role has shifted in a direction she pleases. No longer is she expected to be the sole anchor because Seattle has them riddled throughout the roster.
Lifelong friends Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins always dreamt of being teammates in the WNBA, but the stars didn’t align until 2024. Their connection off the court, shared passion for the game, and high IQ were driving forces behind Seattle’s 25-win season for the first time since 2018.
On several occasions last season, the All-WNBA duo often remarked how their leadership qualities worked in sync and delivered where the team needed it. Ogwumike may not be one of the most animated players on the court, but that’s not an issue with Diggins as a teammate. Her style of play and unwavering motor pushed the Storm as far as they could go last season.
Ogwumike didn’t become one of the best forwards in WNBA history overnight. Her experience aided Ezi Magbegor in more ways than one, as she finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. She had the second-most blocks (82) and averaged 2.2 per game (3rd). As a hub on offense, it was a regular occurrence to see her directing traffic and organizing the offense while still being aggressive in her pursuit of the basket.
On defense, Magbegor erased shots as quickly as they came, and her presence routinely forced opposing players to alter their trajectory. She also found comfort defending outside of the paint. Her versatility was a major component of Seattle’s switch-heavy defensive identity, which looks to sharpen its teeth even more with the addition of French phenom Dominique Malonga.
Throughout training camp, players and coaches alike have praised Magbegor for embracing a more extensive leadership role with a considerable amount of youth on the roster. Entering her sixth season at 24 years of age, Magbegor isn’t a veteran in a typical scenario, but she’s coming off a recent run that saw her win a bronze medal with the Opals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Euroleague Women’s championship with USK Praha in the Czech League. With accolades like these, it comes with the territory.
Alysha Clark spent the first nine seasons of her career with the Storm. Winning two championships in her first stint, she blossomed into one of the best two-way wings in the WNBA. Whether a bucket or stop on defense was needed, she was never too far away to deliver. This trend carried over to her time with the Las Vegas Aces, as she added another title and a Sixth Player of the Year award to her accolades.
When her talents were available again, Seattle wasted no time initiating a reunion. Her leadership and experience in and around the league are unmatched; she’s familiar with the team and knows what Storm coach Noelle Quinn expects. For a group looking to contend for a championship, it was a match made in heaven.
With a trio like this at the helm in Seattle with high-quality role players that complement them, it’s understandable why Wheeler feels at peace with her role. She isn’t expected to shoulder the load and be the sole leader. It also helps when you have three future Hall of Famers sharing it with you, which energizes Wheeler in anticipation of getting to camp and working on her craft. It doesn’t hurt when that gym is the Storm Center for Basketball Performance, a 50,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art practice facility.
“I’ve been waking up in the morning, like damn, I can’t wait to get to the gym,” said Wheeler. “It’s just so much fun because you have a great group of people that just want to learn, that want to be here. You’ve got a bunch of great damn people, so its makes it easy to play basketball.”
If a word cloud were created with terms used throughout 2024 and entering 2025, it’s culture. The word personifies the qualities Quinn, Ogwumike, and Diggins instill within the team and its play on the court. The additions of an eccentric personality like Wheeler and a versatile leader like Clark were perfect in pursuing the franchise’s fifth championship.
Building chemistry on the fly is no easy task, but Wheeler has been in the league long enough to know it won’t build itself. With so little time in camp, Storm players wasted no time doing so.
“We had tacos at a get-together at the penthouse, so we’re doing things as a team,” said Wheeler. “We only have two weeks to build chemistry, at least a small part of it. We've got to maximize the time, and everybody’s growing.”
Coming from a large family, Wheeler is a staunch advocate of quality time spent with teammates. In her short time with the Storm, she’s had no issue implementing her values.
“I grew up in a house with 13 people,” stated Wheeler. “For me, I’ve always been around people in love, so I try to show people what that is and what it’s like to be around someone that actually cares and being able to give it genuinely, and it's not forced. I’m always trying to get the team together. I’m always trying to have that family environment, so when coach [Quinn] talks about culture and being together, I’m like, hey, welcome to my world.”
“That’s what I love and that’s what I thrive at,” continued Wheeler. “I’m a ball of energy, and Ezi [Magbegor] was like, I don’t know how you do it. That’s just my personality. There are days when my energy may be low, but I ain’t ever going to be empty. I’m always going to be able to give you something.
When asked about her fashion sense when exploring Seattle and plans for tunnel fits this season, Wheeler was laser-focused on the team and getting ready for the impending season.
“I’m so locked in on being present with my team. I think that will come because we’re going to do a lot of stuff together. I’m gonna make sure we do. As far as fashion, I don’t know what Seattle is going to bring out of me. But in the beginning, I might be chill, and then I might just turn it up. I don’t go in there like, I m gonna wear this. It’s whatever my mood is when I walk into my closet, and that’s what I do.”
If one thing is for certain, Wheeler’s energy and drip will be present all season for the Storm.
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