WNBA Seattle Storm

Katie Gearlds To Forego 2010 WNBA Season

Published on April 8, 2010 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release


SEATTLE, Thursday, April 8, 2010 - Seattle Storm Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Brian Agler announced today that Storm forward Katie Gearlds has decided, after experiencing a few difficulties following the 2009 PCL tear in her left knee, to forego her opportunity to participate in the 2010 WNBA season.

"My decision not to play this season was a very difficult one to make," said Gearlds. "Throughout the offseason in Greece, it became clear to me that my knee will not be 100 percent by the start of camp. For that reason, I feel that it is best for me and for the Storm that I focus on getting my knee healthy. I am at peace with this decision and would like to thank the Storm organization, my teammates, the coaching staff and Storm fans for their continued support. I wish the Storm a successful 2010 season and will be there to cheer on my teammates every step of the way."

"I am disappointed Katie will not be joining us for our 2010 season, but after speaking with her this offseason it became clear that this was going to be the best decision for her," said Agler. "Because of her dedication to the team and to Storm fans, Katie will be missed on the court and in the Seattle community."

Gearlds holds career averages of 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 87 games played for the Storm. The Purdue standout was selected by the Storm in the first round (seventh overall pick) in the 2007 WNBA Draft. On Aug. 4, 2009 Gearlds landed awkwardly on her left leg while trying to drive the baseline shortly after entering the game against the Phoenix Mercury. She continued playing briefly before coming out, and an examination the next day by team physicians revealed that Gearlds had a torn PCL, one of the four major ligaments in the knee. The injury sidelined Gearlds for the remainder of the 2009 campaign.

In other Storm news, the team added guard Lindsey Wilson to the 2010 training camp roster. Wilson was originally selected by the Connecticut Sun (34th overall pick) in the 2003 WNBA Draft and later waived during training camp. A member of the 2004 Storm training camp roster, Wilson most recently played for Panionios in Greece where she averaged 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 19 games during the 2009-10 season.

The Seattle Storm will open its 2010 WNBA schedule on Sunday, May 16 in a 6 p.m. matchup versus the Sparks at KeyArena. The Storm will play on national television four times with all broadcasts airing on ESPN2. Highlighting the Storm's national television coverage is a KeyArena home game against defending WNBA Champion and league MVP Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27.

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