Seven-time All-Defensive Team guard to return home to the Pacific Northwest
The Seattle Storm has announced the signing of free agent guard Briann January, a 13-year WNBA veteran and native of Spokane. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Briann is one of the best defensive players in our league and brings a physicality and competitiveness which will help us on both ends of the floor,” said Talisa Rhea, Storm General Manager. “Her veteran experience, leadership and well-rounded skill set will fit seamlessly within our roster. We are excited to welcome her back to the Northwest to help us compete for another WNBA Championship.”
A 13-year veteran of the WNBA, January is widely regarded as one of the league’s top defensive guards and earned her seventh WNBA All-Defensive team honor in 2021, earning first-team recognition for the fifth time. January has averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 rebounds per game over her career, spending nine years in Indiana, two in Phoenix and the last two in Connecticut.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to come back to my home state for my final season in the W,” said January. “I’ve always admired the way the Storm operate both on and off the court. I can’t wait to get to work with this talented group of women and do my part in helping this team win another championship.”
January started all 29 games she appeared in with Connecticut in 2021, averaging 7.0 points and 3.1 assists. A 2012 WNBA Champion with Indiana, January was the No. 6 overall selection in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Fever. She has appeared in the WNBA playoffs in 12 of her 13 years in league, contributing 10.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game in 62 career postseason games.
“Briann is a proven leader with championship experience and will make an immediate impact on our culture with her competitiveness, grit, and tough mentality,” said Noelle Quinn, Storm Head Coach. “She has made her mark in this league as a tenacious defender, but also brings a proven efficiency on the offensive end.”
January was a standout basketball player at Spokane’s Lewis and Clark High School, earning first-team all-state honors while leading the Tigers to a 25-3 record and a trip to the WIAA State semifinals as a senior. She was also a star track and field athlete, winning the state title in the high jump in her junior year.
The Seattle Storm opens the 2022 season on Friday, May 6, hosting the Minnesota Lynx in its return home, playing its first full season in Seattle since 2018 at the newly renovated Climate Pledge Arena. Tickets are available at http://ticketcentral.seattlestormbasketball.com, or by calling 206-217-WNBA (9622).
