Remember Lorela Cubaj? The Seattle Storm picked her 18th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, a 6-foot-4 big from Georgia Tech who was an absolute force in college hoops. She was a two-time winner of some serious hardware: All-ACC, ACC All-Defensive, and ACC Defensive Player. This Italian-born talent, with Balkan roots, seemed like a huge grab for our Emerald City. But here’s the kicker: she never actually hit the court for the Storm.
From Storm Draft Pick to WNBA Action Elsewhere
It’s a tough pill to swallow when a talent like Cubaj, drafted right here by our Storm, ends up shining for other teams. After getting picked by Seattle, Lorela saw WNBA action, but not in our green and yellow. She played 11 games for the New York Liberty in 2022, then spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Atlanta Dream, playing 31 games there. Talk about a different path than what we all pictured on draft night! Her game, known for its defensive prowess and slick passing, would have been a welcome sight at Climate Pledge Arena.
Atlanta’s “Second Home” Vibe Steals Her Heart
So, why Atlanta for a player drafted by Seattle? Cubaj laid it out, explaining her deep connection to the city where she played college ball. For her, choosing Georgia Tech was a “no-brainer.” She loved sharing her college experience with fellow Italians Francesca Pan and Antonia Peresson, which helped her transition. The ACC was “amazing, very tough,” and Atlanta’s city location was perfect. “I’m used to [living in] the city, so for me going to a college town would have been probably harder,” she said, adding that the climate was “not too cold, it’s not too hot.” She even mentioned turning down Oregon because “it was too far.”
That strong bond carried over into her pro career. When she played for the Dream, it was a “full-circle moment.” She explained, “I loved it because Atlanta is my second home and I was close to the people that, after my family, I love the most. I have very strong bonds and good relationships with the people that are in Georgia Tech.” She clearly loved being back, saying, “I love Atlanta. That’s my third home as we said before. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and I hope that in the future I will be able to come back.”
Since her time in the WNBA, Cubaj has made Europe her permanent home on the hardwood. She’s dominating for the Italian club Umana Reyer Venezia and also represents the Italian national team. It’s clear she’s found her stride and continues to be a dominant force on the international stage. It’s a journey that started with a pick from our Storm, but took a unique and personal detour. We can only imagine what might have been if she’d worn the green and yellow, but you’ve gotta respect a player finding where they truly belong.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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