Seattle Storm acquire forward Sheri Sam and center Janell Burse from Minnesota
Published on April 15, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release
SEATTLE - The Seattle Storm today acquired 6-0 forward Sheri Sam and 6-5 center Janell Burse from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for forward Amanda Lassiter and the Storm's first-round pick (sixth overall) in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Storm Chief Operating Officer Karen Bryant announced.
Sam, a five-year veteran and WNBA All-Star in 2002, averaged 11.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists during 2003, her first season with the Lynx.
"This trade helped us meet our offseason needs and brought us two veterans who will make us a more competitive team," Storm Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Anne Donovan said. "In Sam, we get an accomplished perimeter scorer. With Burse, we now have a true center. The addition of both players strengthens our frontcourt."
Originally drafted by the Orlando Miracle in the second round (20th pick overall) of the 1999 WNBA Draft, Sam was waived and signed as a free agent by the Miami Sol in 2000. Sam is Miami's all-time leader in 14 categories, including points, scoring average, field goals,
three-point field goals, rebounds and minutes played.
A three-year veteran, Burse averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 29 games with Minnesota in 2003. She was drafted by the Lynx in the second round (28th pick overall) of the 2001 WNBA Draft.
Lassiter was originally selected by the Houston Comets in the first round (15th pick overall) of the 2001 WNBA Draft and was traded to the Storm in 2002 in exchange for guard Sonja Henning. Lassiter averaged 5.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 56 career games with the Storm.
The 2004 WNBA Draft will take place this Saturday, April 17 at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, N.J. The draft begins at 9 a.m. PDT and will be televised by ESPN. The Storm now hold just one pick in this year's draft â the 19th overall selection in the second round.
The Storm will tip off their fifth season in the WNBA at KeyArena on Thursday, May 20 vs. the Minnesota Lynx. For information on season tickets, call 206-217-WNBA or log onto storm.wnba.com.
The Seattle Sonics & Storm manages the Puget Sound region's professional basketball franchises â the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics and the WNBA's Seattle Storm. The organization oversees all sales, marketing, finance, public relations and basketball operations for the teams. The Basketball Club of Seattle LLC, a local group of private investors led by Seattle-based entrepreneur Howard Schultz, owns both teams.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 15, 2004
- Comets Preseason Single-Game Tickets Go On Sale Saturday, April 17 at Noon - Houston Comets
- Seattle Storm acquire forward Sheri Sam and center Janell Burse from Minnesota - Seattle Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
