Seattle’s offseason plans were not one-size-fits-all. In an October 28, 2026 report for The Seattle Times, Kate Shefte detailed how several Storm players planned to keep developing through international competition, rest and college basketball work. Read the original report for that October snapshot.
Malonga and Fam chose different competition paths
Dominique Malonga anticipated another season in Unrivaled, the professional women’s three-on-three league. She described her previous Breeze BC experience as enjoyable and useful, and hoped to reunite with the same teammates. The reunion remained a hope, not a settled roster.
Awa Fam’s first priority was rest at home in Valencia, Spain, after an extended stretch of basketball. She then planned to join Project B, which Shefte described as an international five-on-five league. Those were Fam’s stated intentions in the October report, not a confirmed November itinerary or a finalized Project B schedule.
For Seattle readers following Malonga across competitions, our earlier coverage of her World Cup final with France offers separate international context.
Horston looked toward China
Jordan Horston told reporters she intended to travel to China at the end of October to play. Shefte’s report did not establish that the trip later occurred or identify a club for her.
Natisha Hiedeman described another sequence: rest before preparing for Unrivaled, followed by consistent gym work aimed at another step forward.
College roles added another basketball outlet
Shefte also highlighted Katie Lou Samuelson’s offseason work as Vanderbilt’s director of player development, a role dating to 2023. Vanderbilt’s official staff biography describes non-coaching duties involving game preparation, player development and on-campus recruiting. The biography supports the historical appointment, not current November 2026 employment.
Taylor Thierry took a similar title at Ohio State. The university’s October 24 announcement confirms responsibilities involving individualized development plans and student-athlete mentorship. These college staff positions are distinct from the Storm player-development contract previously covered here.
Cover image: illustrative basketball photography from Pexels; it does not depict the reported person or event.