Storm

Seems the Australian national team could be in a similar state as the Storm, if the WNBA franchise relocates. All-Star Lauren Jackson said she wouldn’t play in Oklahoma City, thus skipping the WNBA season next summer in order to prepare for the 2008 Olympics.
But the Opals, her national team, knows she and Penny Taylor will not be around forever, so they’re looking for the next Jackson.
The Aussie plans to return to Australia next week to spend time with her family then she is returning to the U.S. to tour with the Opals. She was somber following her exit interviews with staff but didn’t have many answers, saying she’ll need more time to distance herself from everything and to watch the games on tape.
During the WNBA offseason, Jackson will play overseas in Russia along with Storm teammate Sue Bird.
Tanisha Wright is returning to Isreal, and forward Shyra Ely received a T-Mobile internship through the WNBA and will return Oct. 1 to work in its marketing department.
If Janell Burse decides to play overseas, and the money says she will, she’ll return to the Prague team. Iziane Castro Marques and Ashley Robinson were undecided about overseas plans, but Izi is planning to miss part of next summer to help Brazil qualify for the Olympics at a last-chance tournament in July.
The league is taking an Olympics break in August and Castro Marques would return after that. Brazil could qualify at the tournament in Chile next month, but Bird’s Team USA also is in the field, a tough draw to beat.