April 9, 2008

Pocatello, ID --- Natalie Doma has made a habit of doing things that have never been done before and she has done it again. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2008 WNBA draft, Doma became the first Idaho State Bengals woman to sign a contract with a WNBA franchise when she inked a deal with the Seattle Storm.

"It's always been my dream to play in the WNBA. Now I have to go and prove myself," Doma stated at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. What makes the deal even sweeter for the Victoria, British Columbia native is how close Seattle is to home. "I couldn't be more excited. My parents have had to travel for miles to see my play. Now if everything works out they just have to take a two hour ferry ride."

While both Doma and head coach Jon Newlee were surprised and disappointed that she didn't get drafted, Newlee thought it worked out to Doma's favor. "If you don't get drafted in the first two rounds it's almost better not to be drafted. Then you can go to a team that really needs you. That's better than being an afterthought pick in the third round."

Both Newlee and Doma agreed that her success will help Idaho State women's basketball in the future. "It kind of puts us on the map now. I couldn't be happier for Idaho State because of what they have done for me," noted Doma. Newlee added, "To be able to talk to recruits and tell them that we have a player that signed as a free agent with the WNBA will be huge. That will let them know that they can come here and have a legitimate chance to play at the next level."

Now Doma will join the Storm for their pre-season camp with the hopes of making the opening day roster. Newlee believes she can do it. "She's definitely capable physically to do it and she has to get in the right frame of mind mentally." She will leave for Seattle at the end of the week to begin training. She will join a roster that included former WNBA MVP's Lauren Jackson, Sheryl Swoopes, and Yolanda Griffeth.

The Storm begin their pre-season schedule on April 30th and will open the 2008 regular season on May 17th at home against the Chicago Sky.