Courtney Paris signs multi-year deal with Seattle Storm
By Ben Dull
Unrestricted free agent veteran center Courtney Paris has signed a multi-year deal with the Seattle Storm, announced by the team on Friday.
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Paris spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Wings, though she has been with that franchise since 2012, when they were known as the Tulsa Shock. Paris initially joined Tulsa in June of 2012 after being waived by the Atlanta Dream earlier in that same month.
Paris led the WNBA in rebounding in 2014 and 2015, starting all 34 games for the Shock both seasons. Paris started 32 games for the Wings in 2016, averaging 7.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Paris started just eight games in 2017 for Dallas. She suffered a knee injury early in the season that kept her out for over a month. Theresa Plaisance filled in admirably at that spot and introduced a different dynamic with her ability to knock down three-pointers. Paris logged 16 minutes off the bench for the Wings in their first round playoff loss to the Washington Mystics, tallying 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
“I want to thank everyone at the Dallas Wings and Tulsa Shock for the last six seasons,” said Paris. “One of my favorite things about basketball is the people it has brought into my life, and I am so grateful for all the teammates, coaches, support staff and fans I crossed paths with in those uniforms.”
“We are excited to welcome Courtney to the Storm family,” said Storm head coach Dan Hughes in a team release on Friday. “She brings a unique set of talents that will blend well with our existing team. She is a physical, veteran presence in the low post that has the ability to help the us defensively as well as offensively and is an excellent teammate.”
Carolyn Swords, Seattle’s backup center in 2017, signed with the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Crystal Langhorne, the team’s starter at that spot, was designated as Seattle’s core player last month.
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“I am excited for this new opportunity,” Paris added. “I’ve always had a great respect for the Seattle Storm franchise and it has always been one of my favorite WNBA cities. I believe in the vision Dan Hughes has for the team and with the combination of talent and experience, it will be an exciting summer full of potential. I can’t wait to be part of it.”