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WNBA Seattle Storm

Two-Time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson Re-Signs With Storm

March 11, 2010 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release


SEATTLE, Thursday, March 11, 2010 - The Seattle Storm today re-signed two-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson to a multi-year contract Storm Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Brian Agler announced. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"It is great news to announce that Lauren Jackson will be a part of the Storm team in 2010 and beyond," said Agler. "There is not a better player in the WNBA than Lauren. She is such a presence both offensively and defensively and her intensity and desire to not only compete, but to win is unmatched. I know she is extremely anxious for the 2010 season and looks forward to returning both to Seattle and to the energetic crowd at KeyArena."

Jackson has received numerous accolades during her storied nine-season WNBA career. Most recently, Jackson was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2009 - the second time Jackson received the nod. She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team at the conclusion of the 2005 and 2008 seasons. Jackson compiled 182 total rebounds (7.0 rpg), 134 total defensive rebounds (5.2 drpg) and 45 total blocks (1.5 bpg) in 26 games for the Storm during the 2009 season.

"It is a very special connection that I share with the city of Seattle and I am honored to be playing my 10th WNBA season in front of the very fans that welcomed me to the Storm in 2001," said Jackson. "I've thoroughly enjoyed spending the offseason playing in Australia. I feel healthy and re-energized and I'm looking forward to another successful season with Coach Agler and the rest of my teammates."

"We are thrilled to re-sign Lauren Jackson, who continues to be a cornerstone of the Storm franchise," said Karen Bryant, CEO Seattle Storm. "Last season the Storm celebrated its 10th season and this year Lauren will celebrate hers. This is quite an achievement for any athlete and I know that as Lauren's talent continues to evolve this will be another exciting summer of Storm basketball.

Jackson was named the 2007 WNBA Most Valuable Player, receiving a total of 473 points, including 42 first-place votes. For Jackson, the MVP award was her sixth honor of the 2007 season; she was also named the 2007 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and WNBA Peak Performer for both scoring and rebounding. Additionally in 2007, Jackson was a first-team selection to both the WNBA All-Defensive Team and the All-WNBA Team.

Jackson was also named the WNBA's Most Valuable Player in 2003. She is the first professional athlete in Seattle to earn the prestigious award twice. The Seahawks' Shaun Alexander was the NFL's MVP in 2005, while Mariners Ken Griffey Jr. (1997) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001) have been honored by the American League as MVPs.

Already recognized as an elite player in the league entering the season, Jackson added to her rapidly-growing legacy with a career year in 2007. She led the league in scoring for the third time in her illustrious tenure with the WNBA, while her 23.8 points per game was a career-best. Her scoring average was more than five points-per-game higher than her career mark (18.6 ppg) entering the season.

A nine-year WNBA veteran, Jackson holds career averages of 19.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.0 blocks. Jackson has been named to the WNBA All-Star Team each year the mid-season classic has been played during her time in the league (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007). She has also received All-WNBA First Team honors six times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008) and was a member of the WNBA's All-Decade Team in 2006.

Jackson, a native of Albury, Australia, won gold medals with the Australian National Team at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Brazil and 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. She has also won silver medals with the Australian National Team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the 2002 FIBA World Championships in China, the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

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.

Fans that purchase a full-season ticket package, online at stormbasketball.com, by Wednesday, March 31 will receive an autographed Lauren Jackson jersey. Those that purchase a 10-game, 6-game or My Storm Plan ticket package, online at stormbasketball.com, by the same date will receive an autographed Lauren Jackson photo. For additional information about the Storm or 2010 Storm full-season tickets or ticket packages, please call 206-217-WNBA or log on to stormbasketball.com.

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