Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Seattle Storm continued to rely on an experienced core in 2012, with Tina Thompson leading the scoring, Camille Little supplying efficient frontcourt production, and Sue Bird directing the offense as the primary playmaker. Ann Wauters added interior scoring and rebounding, while the team’s disciplined ball movement and balanced attack remained strengths. However, inconsistent defense and limited rebounding reduced Seattle’s overall effectiveness.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Sue Bird Starter/Star [1.1] 31.0 High [1.2] 12.2 2.9 5.3 1.0 56.5 Bird remained the engine of Seattle’s offense, orchestrating nearly every half-court possession while balancing scoring with playmaking. Independent season coverage consistently highlighted her leadership after the departures of key veterans, with Brian Agler leaning heavily on her control of tempo and late-game decision-making. (Wikipedia) WNBA All-Star (2012)
Camille Smith Starter/Star [1.1] 27.9 High [1.2] 11.3 5.1 1.9 1.2 51.2 Seattle relied on Smith as its most dependable interior scorer for much of the regular season. Her efficient finishing, physical rebounding and willingness to defend bigger frontcourt players gave the Storm valuable stability while Lauren Jackson missed significant time. (Wikipedia) None
Ann Wauters Key Contributor [1.05] 23.0 Medium [1.1] 9.6 5.8 1.4 1.3 41.1 Wauters quietly anchored the middle with polished post play and smart positional defense. Observers regularly noted how her passing and screening helped Seattle maintain offensive flow despite a roster that changed frequently because of injuries. (Wikipedia) None
Lauren Jackson Starter/Star [1.1] 18.6 High [1.2] 10.2 5.6 0.2 1.2 45.1 Jackson’s season was interrupted by injuries, but when healthy she immediately altered Seattle’s spacing and rim protection. Independent reporting emphasized that the Storm looked like a different team whenever she returned to the lineup, even while managing limited minutes. (Wikipedia) None
Tanisha Wright Starter/Star [1.1] 29.8 Medium [1.1] 7.9 3.0 4.4 1.3 40.5 Wright accepted more ball-handling responsibility while continuing to guard the opposition’s toughest perimeter scorer. Her offensive efficiency fluctuated, yet coaches continued trusting her because of her defensive versatility and decision-making. None
Tina Thompson Key Contributor [1.05] 19.0 Medium [1.1] 8.9 3.4 0.5 1.3 32.7 Thompson embraced a complementary veteran role, stretching defenses from the perimeter while mentoring Seattle’s younger forwards. Her experience became especially valuable during lineups reshuffled by injuries throughout the season. None
Shekinna Stricklen Key Contributor [1.05] 23.1 Medium [1.1] 8.0 4.3 1.2 0.9 33.0 As a rookie, Stricklen flashed the shooting stroke and size that made her a high draft selection. Seattle gradually expanded her responsibilities, with coaches praising her willingness to defend multiple wing positions while adjusting to the professional game. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2012)
Katie Smith Key Contributor [1.05] 27.0 Low [1.0] 6.7 2.7 2.1 0.7 25.6 Smith settled into a lower-usage role built around spacing, leadership and dependable perimeter defense. Even as her offensive workload declined, Seattle continued valuing her composure and championship experience in close games. None
Svetlana Abrosimova Key Contributor [1.05] 17.3 Low [1.0] 4.6 2.9 1.6 1.3 21.9 Abrosimova filled multiple wing roles depending on matchup, often providing secondary playmaking and defensive energy. Contemporary independent coverage of her season was limited, but she remained a trusted rotational option when available. None
Ewelina Kobryn Bench [1.0] 13.3 Low [1.0] 4.8 2.4 0.5 0.9 17.2 Kobryn gave Seattle productive reserve minutes with efficient interior finishing and solid positional defense. Independent reporting on her individual season was limited, though coaches regularly used her to reinforce the frontcourt rotation. None
Alysha Clark Bench [1.0] 10.3 Low [1.0] 3.4 2.0 0.3 0.2 11.8 Clark’s role centered on energy, hustle and defensive effort rather than shot volume. Independent coverage of her rookie campaign was limited, but her willingness to fill whatever assignment was needed helped her earn rotational minutes. None
Victoria Dunlap Bench [1.0] 5.6 Low [1.0] 2.6 2.2 0.2 0.0 10.0 Dunlap appeared only briefly as developmental frontcourt depth. Contemporary independent reporting discussing her role during the season was limited beyond roster transactions and rotation updates. None
TEAM TOTALS — — — 89.2 41.8 25.9 11.2 — Seattle finished 16–18 and reached the WNBA Playoffs despite battling injuries throughout the year. Bird’s leadership, veteran additions and improved frontcourt depth kept the Storm competitive before falling to Minnesota in a hard-fought first-round series. WNBA Playoff Appearance (2012)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Sue Bird Starter/Star [1.1] 34.0 High [1.2] 16.3 1.7 7.0 2.4 72.9 Seattle’s offense flowed almost entirely through Bird, who dictated tempo and repeatedly rescued possessions late in the shot clock. Associated Press coverage of the dramatic double-overtime Game 2 win highlighted her clutch perimeter shooting, including back-to-back late threes that kept the Storm alive against Minnesota. (FOX Sports) None
Tanisha Wright Starter/Star [1.1] 37.3 High [1.2] 11.3 3.7 6.0 1.0 58.1 Wright handled extended playmaking duties while still drawing difficult defensive assignments on Minnesota’s guards. Her overtime three in Game 2 became one of the defining shots of Seattle’s postseason, reflecting the coaching staff’s trust in her during pressure moments. (FOX Sports) None
Lauren Jackson Starter/Star [1.1] 30.3 High [1.2] 10.0 7.7 0.3 1.6 51.7 Jackson battled through difficult shooting nights but still altered Minnesota’s defensive scheme with her inside-out presence. Her game-tying three at the end of regulation in Game 2 was another reminder of why opponents never left her unattended despite limited rhythm. (FOX Sports) None
Camille Smith Starter/Star [1.1] 26.7 Medium [1.1] 12.0 4.3 1.3 1.7 46.9 Smith quietly supplied reliable interior scoring and physical defense throughout the series. While Seattle’s stars attracted attention, her ability to finish around the rim and compete on the glass helped stabilize the frontcourt against Minnesota’s size. (Basketball Reference) None
Katie Smith Starter/Star [1.1] 37.3 Medium [1.1] 9.3 2.3 2.0 1.0 35.1 Smith filled a veteran wing role built on spacing, communication and timely shooting. Even when her scoring came in bursts, Seattle continued leaning on her experience in late-game situations during one of the closest playoff series of the year. None
Shekinna Stricklen Key Contributor [1.05] 19.0 Low [1.0] 6.7 4.3 1.7 1.6 30.0 Stricklen provided productive minutes off the bench with confident spot-up shooting and solid rebounding from the wing. The rookie looked increasingly comfortable as the series progressed, giving Seattle valuable depth against Minnesota’s athletic perimeter rotation. None
Tina Thompson Key Contributor [1.05] 17.0 Low [1.0] 7.0 6.7 0.0 0.0 28.8 Thompson embraced a complementary role, supplying rebounding, floor spacing and veteran composure. Her early three-pointer in the second overtime of Game 2 gave Seattle momentum before Bird finished the contest with several clutch baskets. None
Ann Wauters Key Contributor [1.05] 12.7 Low [1.0] 2.7 2.3 1.0 0.6 13.9 Wauters’ minutes were limited, but she still contributed quality screens and interior ball movement whenever called upon. Contemporary independent coverage focused primarily on Seattle’s veteran core, leaving relatively little discussion of her individual postseason role. None
Svetlana Abrosimova Bench [1.0] 3.5 Low [1.0] 1.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 5.0 Abrosimova appeared only briefly as reserve wing depth. Independent postseason reporting discussing her individual contributions during the series was limited beyond rotation mentions. None
TEAM TOTALS — — — 76.3 29.5 22.0 9.3 — Seattle pushed top-seeded Minnesota to a decisive Game 3, highlighted by an unforgettable double-overtime victory in Game 2. Bird’s late-game shot-making and the veteran core’s resilience nearly produced another upset before the Lynx escaped with the series. Lost WNBA Western Conference Semifinals (2012)