Seattle Storm Promotes Talisa Rhea to General Manager
Published on April 13, 2021 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release
SEATTLE -ÃÂ The Seattle Storm is pleased to announce the promotion of Talisa Rhea to general manager. Rhea joined the organization in 2015 as a video coordinator and quickly progressed to director of basketball operations in 2016 and assistant GM in 2019.ÃÂ
RheaÃÂ has played a key role in the Storm's draft strategy over the past six years and worked closely with the coaching staff to help create anÃÂ impressiveÃÂ roster in Seattle including two WNBA championship teams.ÃÂ Rhea takes over GM duties from Alisha Valavanis, who remains Storm President and CEO of both the Storm and Force 10 Hoops.
"We are thrilled to promote Talisa to general manager and are eager to support her continued growth as a WNBA basketball executive. Talisa has the experience, basketball acumen and passion to thrive in this role," said Valavanis. "In addition, we at the Storm are excited to continue the tradition of developing post-collegiate and professional players in roles that expand their career opportunities."ÃÂ ÃÂ
An Alaska native, Rhea went to Juneau-DouglasÃÂ HighÃÂ SchoolÃÂ where she was anÃÂ academic and athletic standout.ÃÂ Rhea, whoÃÂ excelled in her collegiate basketball career at both Oregon State University and Seattle University,ÃÂ earned a bachelor's degree in sport and exercise science from Seattle University and a master's degree fromÃÂ theÃÂ University of Illinois in sports management.ÃÂ Following a professional basketball career in Poland with CentrumÃÂ WzgórzeÃÂ Gdynia, she returnedÃÂ statesideÃÂ to join the Storm in 2015.
"Talisa has been instrumental in the success the Storm have enjoyed the past three years," said Head Coach Dan Hughes.ÃÂ "She is very well prepared for this opportunity."
"I am grateful for this promotion within the Storm organization," said Rhea. "I feel fortunate to have experienced the Storm's championship culture for the past six seasons and I look forward to leading our team in the pursuit of sustained excellence. I would like to thank Alisha, the Storm owners, and the entire Storm organization for this incredible opportunity."
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