Storm Roster Roundup: Will Ezi Magbegor Enter Elite Company?
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Seattle Storm forward Ezi Magbegor drives during a game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 17, 2024. Credit: John McClellan [/caption]
The Seattle Storm are nearing the WNBA Draft on April 14 and will begin their preseason soon after on May 4. It will be head coach Noelle Quinn’s fifth season leading the franchise and the first without franchise legend Jewell Loyd, ushering in a new era of Storm basketball.
As the 2025 season approaches, we will profile each of the 14 players currently on Seattle’s roster, exploring the best- and worst-case scenarios for each player while also examining realistic expectations. Then we will discuss the team’s draft selections and what they could add to the team.
Forward Ezi Magbegor is coming off a dominant defensive campaign but may be expected to enter an expanded offensive role. Can she take another leap in 2025?
Background
Magbegor (6-foot-4) was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and moved to Australia in her early childhood. She debuted with the Australian national team at 16 years old. In 2016 Magbegor won the FIBA U17 MVP after beating Team USA, snapping their 28-game win streak. She went on to play in the South East Australian Basketball League before signing with the Canberra Capitals of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) — Australia’s professional league — in 2017.
Signing a three-year contract with the Melbourne Boomers in 2018, Magbegor continued to develop her game at home in Australia despite receiving interest from NCAA member universities. The Storm selected Magbegor 12th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, but both parties agreed it would be best if she waited a season to join the team. Thus, Magbegor’s first WNBA season was in the “Wubble” during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
As a rookie, Magbegor averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in just 13.3 minutes per game. Seattle went on to win the WNBA title, but Magbegor had minimal contributions in the playoffs.
Magbegor earned a starting role in 2022 but eventually was replaced in the starting lineup by Tina Charles. She still appeared in 33 games and made 23 starts — paving the road for a breakout 2023 season. Now in her fourth WNBA season, Magbegor tallied 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks in just under 33 minutes per game. Magbegor earned her first All-Star nod and was an All-Defensive Second Team selection.
In 2024, Magbegor averaged more than two blocks for the first time in her career and landed an All-Defensive First Team honor. She started all 37 games for the Storm. Magbegor continued to play in the WNBL through the 2022 season but has more recently played overseas in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Best Case Scenario
Still just 25 years old, Magbegor has impressed not only via her defensive presence but also with her athleticism on the offensive end. She finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, and she will remain in a full-time starting role in 2025 barring a massive shake-up.
But Magbegor still has room to grow offensively. With Jewell Loyd gone, Seattle may need her to step up and play a larger offensive role. A perfect season for Magbegor would be taking huge steps on that end, potentially averaging more than 15 points per game while continuing to grow as a defender. Keeping her name in the DPOY conversation would go a long way for the Storm as well.
Worst Case Scenario
Seattle has three late-round picks, and it still isn’t certain what position it plans to go with at No. 2 overall. If some major post competition comes in, there’s a non-zero chance Magbegor loses time on the court. The absolute worst case would be somehow losing a starting role.
What to Expect in 2025
Based on head coach Noelle Quinn’s track record of playing rookies, Magbegor shouldn’t have to face losing time to first-year players. None of the post players Seattle signed this offseason should make too big of a dent either, as they are veterans most likely to reside as bench depth.
Magbegor’s development, especially defensively, has steadily progressed since she entered the WNBA in 2020. Once she stepped in as a starter it took off, and Magbegor is yet to reach her ceiling. A larger role makes sense for Magbegor in 2025 with Loyd gone, and her second All-Star nod while landing at least an All-Defensive Second Team honor should be expected.
A truly stellar campaign would be Magbegor winning DPOY, but she’ll have stiff competition once again. Expect her to remain a key piece for the Storm this season.
