SundayNewspaper

2 R SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2019 | | Sports C3 By PERCY ALLEN Seattle Times staff reporter During the first week of training camp Shavonte Zellous, the Storm’s biggest offseason acquisi- tion, has settled into a familiar and comfortable role with her new team. “What I bring is tenacity,” the 5-foot-10 veteran guard said. “Anybody that plays against me and plays withme knows what they’re getting. “I’mnot going to let you do what you want to do. I’m aggressive. I talk smack, but that’s a part of the game to get you out of your game.” While Storm veteran Alysha Clark remains overseas with her French teamLyon ASVEL Feminin that advanced to the EuroCup Finals, Zellous has slid into her role as the team’s resident defen- sive stopper. “From the moment Z got here, she started taking that leadership role,” guard Jewell Loyd said. “Because we don’t have everyone back (fromplaying overseas), she has to talk. She has to lead. You can see right away that she wants to get better and she wants to win. She’s super focused. “We need that toughness and some physicality. Normally, that’s AC for us, but it’s good that we’ve got somebody else nowwho can bring that. With her and AC on the court, that could (upset) some people.” During her 11-year career, Zel- lous has built a reputation as a defensive stalwart since she was the No. 11 pick in theWNBA draft taken by the now-defunct Detroit Shock in 2009. She was most productive during a 5½-year stint in Indiana (2010-15), where she helped the Fever to aWNBA title in 2012 and a trip to the Finals in 2015. Zellous also claimed league All-Star andMost Improved Player honors in 2013 while averaging a career-high 14.7 points, 3.4 re- bounds and 1.7 assists. A free agent in 2016, Zellous signed with the New York Liberty, which posted a 21-13 record her first year and 22-12 in 2017. Under first-year coach Katie Smith, the Liberty finished 7-27 during a difficult season of transi- tion in 2018. Zellous started 22 games and averaged 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and a career-high 3.0 assists be- fore suffering a season-ending right-ankle sprain during a game at Atlanta last July. “It was kind of a first experience for me being injured like that,” Zellous said. “I was able to learn a lot just watching the game, pick- ing up on things that you see from the outside. So it was a good and bad thing for me.” their part. Stewie is the MVP and can’t nobody do what Stewie does and everybody knows that. But I think what we can do is contribute what we can do and play to our strengths. “With this teamwe have weap- ons all around the floor. …So yes, I think we’re still going to be just as successful if not more successful without Stewie.” It will be interesting to see how Zellous operates within an offense that set aWNBA record for three- pointers last season considering she’s more adept at driving to the basket and drawing fouls than taking perimeter shots. During her last full season, Zel- lous hit 135 of 164 free throws in 2017. In comparison, Stewart was the only Stormplayer tomake at least 100 free throws last year. “I’m an aggressive player,” Zel- lous said. “I love contact. That startedmy first year in Detroit. Just get to the basket. Get to the line. “They toldme, ‘We need you shooting at least 10 free throws a game.’ Somy mindset was I need to get my behind in that paint and just be aggressive, whether it’s for me or setting upmy teammates.” However, Zellous, a 30.2 per- cent three-point shooter during her career, struggles on the perim- eter, where she hit just 8 of 30 three-point shots in 2018. “Everyone on our team can shoot threes,” Loyd said. “It’s how we play with our spacing, and it makes us hard to defend. I think she realizes that. We’re not telling her ‘don’t shoot.’ We’re telling her to shoot. And she can shoot. We’re excited about that, and I know she is too.” Zellous added: “Last year New York neededme to be more of an aggressive player and get to the basket. That’s why my threes went down. But you best believe my threes will be up this year.” Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com Veteran guard Shavonte Zellous ready to bring her ‘tenacity’ to Seattle Storm’s biggest offseason addition believes team can still contend for title without Stewart K A T H Y W I L L E N S / T H E A S S O C I A T E D P R E S S Former New York Liberty guard Shavonte Zellous will be a defensive stopper for the Storm this season and will shoot more threes. The five-month layoff was also the first extended break from basketball for the 32-year-old Orlando native, who returned to competition in January while playing in Israel. In April, the Storm signed Zel- lous to a one-year deal that’s worth $65,000, according to High Post Hoops. “This time in free agency, I really wanted to be with a veteran team that had the same goals and expectations that I have,” Zellous said. “I want to win. I want to be pushed. I want to be with a veter- an crew that knows what it takes. That’s why I picked Seattle. Great leaders in Sue (Bird) and Dan (Hughes). Excellent talent. It just fits best for me andmy skill set. “Plus, I like the city. It was one of my favorite places to play, and now I get to see what it’s like to live here.” Zellous reunites with Storm assistant Gary Kloppenburg, who had two stints (2008-11 and 2015-16) on the Fever coaching staff. “Being with Coach Klop with Indiana helps me a lot because I’m used to his scheme and I’mused to his system,” she said. “Having AC with the first unit and I’mon the second unit, there shouldn’t be any drop-off in the defense.” Zellous signed with Seattle before Breanna Stew- art suffered an Achilles-tendon injury that will force her tomiss the 2019 season. Even without theWNBA’s reign- ingMVP, the newest Stormplayer believes the defending league champions can contend for anoth- er title. “I don’t think things change dramatically at all,” Zellous said. “I just think everybody has to do WEDNESDAY Exhibition game, Phoenix vs. Storm@Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena, 7 p.m. WNBA