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Awa Fam has officially begun her WNBA journey, and her first night in Seattle already carried the weight of greatness. Even before stepping on the court, the Spanish star was welcomed with a standing ovation at Climate Pledge Arena, instantly commanding attention as one of the defining figures of Seattleās 77ā59 win over the Connecticut Sun.Una publicaciĆ³n compartida de Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm)
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First Game Night in Seattle: Storm Beat the Connecticut Sun
Seattle Storm opened the night with a solid victory over the Connecticut Sun (77ā59), but much of the attention was on what was happening off the scoreboard.
Awa Fam, recently selected as the No. 3 pick in the WNBA Draft, was officially presented to the home crowd before the game. While she did not yet make her on-court debut, her arrival was already treated as a major moment for the franchise and its fans.
During a timeout, the arena screens showed a video of her arrival in Seattle alongside her brother Karim, including scenes of her being welcomed by teammates with hugs and smiles at the facility. The crowd responded immediately with a spontaneous ovation.
It was a clear sign: Seattle is ready to embrace her.
A Strong Night for Seattle Stormās Young Core
On the court, the Storm delivered a convincing performance led by their young talent.
Zia Cooke stood out as the top scorer of the night with 25 points, setting the tone offensively and helping Seattle control the game from early on.
Another key piece of the new Storm project, Flau'jae Johnson, also contributed as part of the teamās evolving young core, which is designed to bring energy, speed and long-term competitiveness to the franchise.
Meanwhile, Dominique Malonga was unavailable for a third consecutive game due to concussion protocol, leaving Seattle slightly short in rotation but still dominant.
The Atmosphere: A Star Is Already Being Born in Seattle
Even without her official debut, Awa Famās presence changed the energy inside the arena.
After the video presentation, she stepped onto the court briefly to greet fans and sign autographs. Dressed in a simple but confident outfitājeans, sneakers, a strapless top and a bright yellow Storm capāshe immediately connected with the crowd.
The message from Seattle fans was clear: anticipation is building fast.
What Seattle Expects from Awa Fam
Head coach Sonia Raman has already outlined what the franchise expects from its new Spanish forward:
- Defensive intensity
- Team-first offense
- Physical presence in the paint
- Leadership potential despite her age
Fam herself made it clear in her first press conference:
āI want to focus on what my team needs from me. I just want to bring my energy to the court.ā
From Valencia to the WNBA Spotlight
Awa Famās journey has been anything but ordinary. Raised in Santa Pola and developed in Valencia, she left home at a young age to pursue professional basketball, eventually becoming one of the most promising European prospects of her generation.
Her selection at No. 3 in the WNBA Draft places her in rare company in Spanish basketball history, alongside legends like Pau Gasol.
Una publicaciĆ³n compartida de espnW (@espnw)
A New Generation of Womenās Basketball Stars
Seattleās rebuild is built around a new generation of talent, and Awa Fam fits perfectly into that vision. The WNBA itself is experiencing a global surge in popularity, driven by emerging stars and increased international attention.
Fam is not just joining a teamāshe is stepping into one of the most visible stages in womenās sports, where performance, personality and presence off the court matter just as much as what happens during the game.
And in Seattle, her story has only just begun.
