With just under 10 games left in the season, the teams are making all the possible moves to lock in top players from the available pool. The Seattle Storm, hovering around the final playoff spot, signed Zia Cooke for the rest of the season.
Though the star received limited opportunities on the court, her career-best shooting and basketball IQ earned her a permanent contract. Indiana Fever forward was excited to see the player get more chances to shine.
Indiana Fever Star Congratulates Zia Cooke On Seattle Storm Contract
The 2023 rookie found it difficult to settle with any franchise. Drafted by the LA Sparks, she played in 68 games with just four starts. Clocking below 11 minutes, the guard averaged around four points per game. She joined Seattle in the 2025 off-season, looking to make an impact with the rookies.
Yet the side traded her in a high-profile midseason acquisition of Brittney Sykes. The Mystics waived her, and now the Storm franchise completed the full circle, signing her back. The team was already looking for an elite three-point shooter and signed its former player to fill in the gap.
The Indiana Fever Star, Natasha Howard, showed love for the rookie who also hails from Toledo, Ohio. Congratulating Cooke on her new deal, the veteran guard wrote, “Keep grinding lil sis, keep proving people wrong, love you” on her Instagram reel.
The 33-year-old star had been keeping an eye on the fellow Ohio girl and had also praised her for her hard work. She earlier sent some encouraging words to Zia Cooke. She posted, “Let’s get this lil sis,” as the Storm shared a video of her working out in the Gym.
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Howard had been a great veteran for many rookies, including her teammate and Fellow Florida State University graduate Makayla Timpson. The 2025 rookie is also learning under the two-time champion’s guidance and slowly rising up the ranks in the talented Fever franchise.
WELCOME BACK ZIA ⛈️
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 18, 2025
We've signed Zia Cooke to a rest-of-season contract!
📰 https://t.co/zyUZL9uQsf pic.twitter.com/5ENkZOzW2T
As for Zia, the star will be looking to get her way into the lineup, but with record-setting guard Skyler Diggins, Brittney Sykes, and Erica Wheeler delivering for the four-time champions, it will be a massive task for the youngster.
Zia Cooke’s Growth Is An Encouraging Sign For Seattle Storm
The main reason behind resigning the former NCAA champion is her potential on the court and the growth she showed over the years. Moreover, the UCLA star’s shooting percentages are up from 30% to 35% from the field, and her range shooting moved up to 38% from 24% in her rookie season.
Playing with an experienced forward lineup and a gifted guard like Diggins, the former All-American is looking to improve her playmaking and scoring. Also, the Storm’s offering her $66,079 annual deal is a sign of trust in her abilities and dedication to the game.