The Seattle Strom drafted Eziyoda Magbegor with the 12th pick on the 2019 WNBA Draft. Magbegor stayed overseas last season and now has made her way to the United States to play for the Seattle Storm in the bubble.
Overseas
Eziyoda Magbegor began her career in the South East Australian Basketball League soon after getting she started getting attention from the professional leagues. In 2017 Magbegor signed with the Canberra Capitals of the WNBL. In her first season in the WNBL, Magbegor won WNBL Rookie of the Year.
The Australian star went on to sign with the Melbourne Boomers, and last season Magbegor won the WNBL Betty Watson Youth Player of the Year, receiving 38 out of 42 possible votes. Magbegor averaged 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in the 2019-20 season. Over the past three seasons, she shot 53% from the field.
What Eziyoda Magbegor Brings To The Storm
Magbegor is a 6’4 post player who will be able to play forward and center. Her mentor is former Storm player Lauren Jackson. Magbegor had this to say about Jackson, “Lauren was definitely one of my basketball idols growing up,” Magbegor said. “She has had an amazing career and has definitely left a legacy on the WNBA and Australian basketball.”
With Jackson mentoring her, she should be ready to play immediately in the WNBA with her post talents. Coach Dan Hughes compared Megbedgor to Natasha Howard, “Ezi is a little bigger than Natasha, but she’s got some of the things that Natasha has. She’s also 6-4 and has the ability athletically to do some things at the (center) position. She could be a (forward), and she could be a (center) in our league and she’s developing in a lot of ways.”
With Magbegor joining the front line with Breanna Stewart and Natasha Howard, it could be a dominant frontcourt. We all know that Stewart is one of the best players in the league, and healthy will be in the MVP conversation. Howard is a force on the offensive and defensive end as well. She also won the Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Adding Magbegor to that mix will add some young talent and post skills to the Storm roster. She could also take some of the pressure of Stewart and Howard. Having Sue Bird at the point will also help Magbegor in her transition to the WNBA. Bird will make sure she will get the ball in her sweet spots and help her be successful.
