As the (2-4) Seattle Storm finished the first of their back-to-back matchups with the (1-6) Connecticut Sun, they introduced their number three draft pick, Awa Fam, to the media. Having lost the first of their consecutive games against the Sun on Wednesday night, the Storm got career nights from Zia Cooke and Flau’Jae to secure their first win at the Climate Pledge Arena this season.
Fourth-year player Zia Cooke led the Storm with a career-high 25 points, while shooting 90% from the line on ten shots, adding five rebounds and one steal. Flau’jae Johnson recorded new career highs for points with 17, seven rebounds, and five assists. Johnson also shot 58.3% from the field and blocked three shots to aid in the Storm’s second win of the season.
With key players like veteran forward Ezi Magbegor and second-year forward Dominique Malonga on the injured list, it makes it challenging to come together and build chemistry. Holding the Sun to under 20 points in the final three quarters of their recent win over the Sun shows they are realizing the defensive promise that the new head coach has encouraged. The addition of their number three draft pick from the recent WNBA draft will aid in their growth.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Awa to Seattle,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “We’ve been watching Awa emerge as one of the most dynamic young talents in the world. She’s already gained valuable experience competing professionally internationally and has tremendous upside. Awa will be an important part of our future and what we’re building in Seattle.”
When Fam signed with Spain’s Valencia Basket in December 2021 at just 15 years old, she became the youngest athlete in team history. She played in 39 games during the 2025-26 EuroLeague and Liga Femenina Endesa tournaments, averaging 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game. Against Fenerbahçe Opet, she scored a season high 17 points on 63.6% from the field; she also recorded seven rebounds and three steals.
“It’s been great having her here. It’s very celebratory right now — the welcome at the practice facility, the welcome here, and her teammates getting to be around her and get to know her,” coach Sonia Raman said about their plan for Fam. “She watched us go through shootaround today. The focus now is just getting her acclimated and ramped up.”
In her four years on the youth national team, Fam competed in six tournaments, including a standout 2022 FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship, where she averaged 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. At 6-foot-4 inches, the Alicante, Spain native also played for the Spanish Senior National Team for two years, averaging 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across their three tournaments.
The Storm fans who don’t follow Spain’s Valencia Basket are curious to know what to expect from Fam. Coach Raman had a short response when asked about Fam’s skill set and what she thought would benefit the squad most.
“All of it,” coach Raman said. “She brings size, shooting, playmaking, defense, rim protection — she’s a really high‑level basketball player. The biggest thing is getting her acclimated to what we do and how we do it, then tapping into her superpowers and finding wrinkles in the playbook that fit her.”
Her size will be a welcome addition to the Storm’s roster. With so much being expected of Stephanie Dolson and Mackenzie Holmes, without Magbegor and Malonga in the lineup. Fam’s low-post game, agility, and rebounding ability will be a significant addition to this lineup.
“I feel good. I’m 19 years old, so I’m ready to play with the national team, with Valencia, and now in the W. I don’t feel tired — I feel excited.” Awa Fam said when asked about going from the world qualifier, to Liga Femenina, to the WNBA. “I love basketball, I love improving, practicing, and learning more about this league. I know there are a lot of games and practices, and I need to rest, but I’m ready for the new challenges.”
Fam made it clear she was a competitor during an interview in New York at the WNBA draft. This is the response she gave when asked about her competitiveness during her introductory press conference.
“Spanish players are super competitive,” said Fam. “We love winning games. I think I have that part of being a Spanish player — I enjoy winning. If the game isn’t going well, I feel like I need to do something to help win. That’s why I’m competitive.”
“A’ja Wilson, of course. She’s my idol,” Fam revealed. “She’s the player I always look at to try to do the same things. I’m looking forward to playing against her because it’s like playing against my idol.”
Eager Storm fans should get their first glimpse of Fam this week. Having taken Friday night off for rest, after her thousands of miles of travel through multiple countries, in her initial press conference, Fam announced she’s ready to play. So, it will be interesting to see how long the team waits to get her some run.
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