News Story - Idaho State Journal

tflagstad@journalnet.com

Natalie Doma's WNBA dreams hit a road block Thursday, but she's far from finished with professional basketball.

Following Thursday's practice, the Seattle Storm released the former Idaho State standout and fellow rookie Allie Quigley.

''I'm just taking this experience and moving on with it,'' Doma said by phone from Seattle. ''The coaches were all very positive about releasing me. They had good things to say. It's just kind of what happened, but I have a bright future ahead of me.''

Doma's next professional stop will be in Arras, France, where she will play starting at the end of September. Arras is in the northern part of the country about 110 miles from Paris.

Before heading overseas, the Big Sky's all-time leading scorer and rebounder will try out for the Canadian national team.

''This level is definitely a step above the college level, and being able to be here for a few weeks will help me,'' Doma said.

With the moves, the Storm's roster now stands at 15 players. By league rules, the team can keep 12 on its opening-day roster, but salary cap constraints may force the team to keep only 11.

The surplus of veteran talent in Seattle's training camp will make it hard for any rookie to make the team. After an offseason of big-name acquisitions, the Storm's lineup boasts 25 combined WNBA all-star appearances, nine Olympic medals and 10 WNBA championships.

''It's like the dream team,'' Doma said. ''I feel very honored to be able to play with these players and have met them.''

In her two and a half weeks with Seattle, Doma left an impression. Coach Brian Agler and veteran Sheryl Swoopes both complimented Doma on her ability to shoot from the outside and her tenacity down low.

Agler said the decision to release Doma and Quigley came down to numbers.

''This is probably the toughest thing about our job, going through decisions like that, because those two ladies have come in and really worked hard,'' Agler told Seattle reporters after practice. ''They both have a chance to do something in this league.''

By Tim Flagstad

This document was originally published online on Friday, May 09, 2008

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