After 13 seasons in the WNBA, Crystal Langhorne is putting away her green and gold Seattle Storm jersey.
Langhorne, who has not only been an effective player on the court in the WNBA (as told by her two All-Star appearances) but who has served looks throughout her career, is calling it a career after those 13 seasons. Those 13 have included being part of the last two Storm championship teams in 2018 and 2020.
2x WNBA Champion ๐๐
2x WNBA All-Star โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ#ThankYouLang pic.twitter.com/9f0woYlFxJโ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 8, 2021
Langhorne is not leaving Seattle anytime soon. The Storm announced she will be the Director of Community Engagement for its newly created Force4Change initiative. It was formed in 2020 as part of the teamโs robust social justice and diversity efforts.
A look back at @crystalanghorne‘s incredible career! ๐ ๐ฅ #ThankYouLang pic.twitter.com/d2UK7ZdndG
โ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 8, 2021
๐๐ฅA look back at some of @crystalanghorneโs most fire fits!๐ฅ๐#ThankYouLang pic.twitter.com/YhZJeMjobE
โ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 8, 2021
She first joined the Storm in 2014 and has stuck with the team from its hard-luck days of the mid-2020s to becoming the team to beat in the WNBA today.
I truly believe in the Force4Change initiative and Iโm ready to help create meaningful change. Our organization has shown its dedication to fighting racism and Iโm honored to be able to continue that fight.
–Crystal Langhorne (Storm release)
Crystal made vital contributions as a member of the Storm both on-court and off-court, efforts that led to two WNBA Championships. We could not be more thrilled to welcome her as she joins our front office team in a brand new role, which will build on her leadership experience and talents as we enter the second year of focused efforts to fight racism in this country.
–Alisha Valavnis, Storm CEO/General Manager (release)
That was not the only bit of news that came out of the Emerald City as Valavanis also made a move involving the third of the big three veteran Indiana Fever free agents.
๐ค๐ Official: We have signed Seven-Time All-Star Candice Dupree!
๐๐คRead all about it. โฌ๏ธhttps://t.co/GnBcb5LgVh pic.twitter.com/uN2PCUoM2m
โ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 8, 2021
๐คฉ โI canโt tell you how excited I am to be competing for such a first-class organization.โ ๐คฉ
– Candice Dupree pic.twitter.com/flcYweSyvw
โ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 8, 2021
๐ฃ๐๐ฃ pic.twitter.com/97PNoo7PHn
โ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 9, 2021
The ๐on the newcomer. ๐ช pic.twitter.com/PhL28NWVWO
โ Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) February 9, 2021
The other two, Erica Wheeler and Natalie Achonwa already were introduced with their new teams. Wheeler went to the Los Angeles Sparks and Achonwa joined Cheryl Reeve with the Minnesota Lynx.
The move also comes on the heels of Alysha Clark inking a deal with the Washington Mystics and renewed speculation about Natasha Howard’s future in Seattle.