Seattle Storm forward Ramu Tokashiki will miss the upcoming 2018 WNBA season as she prepares to compete for Japan in the 2018 FIBA World Cup.
As a result, the Storm have suspended Tokashiki for the entire 2018 season to free up a roster spot and get her salary off their books.
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The Storm announced the news Monday along with several signings. Tokashiki, a member of the 2015 All-Rookie Team, has spent all three of her WNBA seasons with the Storm. The reserve forward has started 18 games in three seasons and is a career 83.6% shooter from the charity stripe.
“Ramu has informed us of her intent to prepare and focus on her Japan National Team commitments this year,” said Storm president & general manager Alisha Valavanis in Monday’s release. “We support her decision and look forward to her return.”
The 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup will be played September 22-30 in Tenerife, Spain. Tokashiki was a key catalyst in getting Japan back to the Olympics in 2016. The Japan women’s basketball team had not qualified for the Olympics since 2004 prior to that appearance.
Tokashiki led the Japanese National Team to titles at the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships.
The Seattle Storm finished last season with a record of 15-19. As the 8 seed, they fell at the hands of the Mercury in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
The Storm have already re-signed unrestricted free agent Noelle Quinn and reserved player Sami Whitcomb. Unrestricted free agent Carolyn Swords, Seattles backup center in 2017, signed with the Las Vegas Aces last week. The Storm then solidified their frontcourt rotation by adding another veteran presence — unrestricted free agent Courtney Paris inked a multi-year deal with the Storm last week.
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Crystal Langhorne, Seattle’s 2018 designated core player, remains unsigned as of Monday afternoon.
The Washington Mystics announced last week that forward Emma Meesseman will also miss the 2018 WNBA season.