The day after finding out she did not make the WNBA All-Star team, Ezi Magbegor arrived at the gym earlier than usual.
“After she found out she wasn’t on the list, the next day she came in at 8 a.m. and started shooting,” said Storm guard Jewell Loyd, referring to the jump-shooting practice device. “Normally, Sami (Whitcomb) and I are the first ones in the gym, so seeing Ezi come in that early after that news showed me that she’s going to use this as motivation.
“All of us were really surprised by the (All-Star) news. It was a shocker and we all had a reaction to it.”
Usually, Magbegor isn’t driven by individual achievements or awards, but at 24 years old, the Australian player was disappointed when she wasn’t among the 12 All-Stars selected to play in the WNBA All-Star Game against the USA Women’s National Basketball team on July 20.
“I have to admit, I was a little more than just a little disappointed,” Magbegor said. “You feel how you feel in the moment… I didn’t know how I would react to it. I will continue to play the way I have been playing, but also take it up a notch leading up to the (Summer Olympics) break.
“Just knowing not to take a step back and using it as motivation.”
Part of that motivation led to her early-morning workout.
“It was close to 8 a.m., but I think I got here at 8:20,” Magbegor said with a smile. “Last week, I was coming in a bit early because my shot wasn’t falling. But after hearing the news, I didn’t want to disrupt what I had been doing, so I started coming in early to get extra shots up before practice.
“Being home and being able to use the facility is something I’ve been trying to do.”
Storm coach Noelle Quinn expressed her disappointment in Magbegor not making the All-Star team, highlighting her impact on both ends of the floor.
“She deserves to be recognized as one of the top players in our league,” Quinn said. “We see her value here in Seattle and will continue to honor her in every way possible. I just hope coaches, players, and fans see the same value that we do.”
Statistically, Magbegor is performing at a similar level to last year when she earned her first WNBA All-Star nod.
The 6-foot-4 center is averaging 13.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.2 blocks while shooting 50.5% from the field and 90.9% on free throws for Seattle.
In comparison, through 19 games last season, Magbegor averaged 14.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks.
Despite not making the All-Star team, players like Nneka Ogwumike and Jewell Loyd believe Magbegor is playing at an All-Star level and will use this as motivation moving forward.
Magbegor remains humble and acknowledges the deserving players who made the All-Star team, stating that everyone selected deserves the honor.
While disappointed about not making the cut, Magbegor is focused on continuing to play at a high level with the support of her teammates.
