Flau’jae Johnson has been waiting to see a classic Ezi Magbegor block. Whether it was an emphatic rejection into the third row or a cerebral swat that she tips to herself for an offensive possession didn’t matter; the No. 8 pick in the 2026 Draft just wanted to see what a stuff from her new 6-6 teammate looked like in person.

“She says, I’ve been watching your block highlights, but I need to see it in person. And I was saying that hopefully we’re on different teams in my first practice back, so I can block a shot. That’s my goal,” Ezi says with a laugh.

The denial took some time to come to fruition, as Ezi missed the first two months of the season with a right foot injury. But against the Portland Fire on the 4th of July, Big 4 finally got to see the act that has sent Climate Pledge Arena into a frenzy for the past six seasons. And she got to see it twice.

The Pacific Northwest Rivalry Series served as Ezi’s second game back from injury. And while she continues to find her rhythm, it’s the new connections and the role she’s assumed this season that’s giving the seven-year veteran added confidence in her return to the hardwood. After being the youngest player on every team she’s played for, Ezi’s now the longest-tenured Seattle player on the roster and the on-court expert for a new generation of players to lean on.

“It’s been exciting,” Ezi says of the feeling inside of the practice facility each day. “I love seeing people come into the gym and just be sponges. I think when I first started, that was—still is—how I am. I just love learning and love asking questions, and I think we definitely have a lot of people that do that. So I think just coming into an environment, a facility, where people want to be and want to get better and want to be energetic, I think it just creates a really nice vibe.”

The Australian-raised forward’s journey to the W, like most international prospects, was unique at times, but one constant remained at each stop along the way. Between arriving at the formerly known Australian Institute of Sport at 15, joining the Australian Opals at 18 and suiting up for the Storm as a 20-year-old rookie, Ezi formed the intuitive approach to observe, watch and listen much like the roster’s current bunch of youthful talent. 

She references past conversations and experiences she’s shared with her old vets like Alysha Clark, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Sami Whitcomb and Jewel Loyd–all of whom won the 2020 title together with Ezi as their rook. Moments filled with learning the system, reading the game and picking up on the subliminal details. It’s all informing her approach to leading the Storm through their current phase of growth and development. Mainly, by preaching grace.

“This is my seventh year now. And so whether I like it or not, I kind of do have to share that experience,” Ezi says. “And then also knowing that there were people there for me coming into the League. And so I’m trying to do a better job of being that person for Flau’jae, for Taina [Mair], for the newer players in this League. Because I was able to have those players as well. But for me, it’s just like touching base with them one-on-one, kind of just reading them in the game, reading them in at practice. Knowing what they need in those moments, I think that’s something that I’m good at.”

While she remained on the sidelines rehabbing through May and June, Ezi was a constant presence in the practice facility, creating the freedom in her schedule to get after things in the training room while also being a voice of reassurance and guidance in practice and at shootarounds. When she wasn’t able to connect on the court, she was able to connect with context. And since her return, it’s only taken a handful of games for her to blend into the system she’s been helping to teach.

Between Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam and Ezi, Seattle’s trio of bigs have already begun to develop an inside-out familiarity with quick dump-offs routinely going down in the paint. Flau’jae’s getting wide-open looks from three through her screening actions while Jade Melbourne, Zia Cooke and Taina drop an endless stream of dimes out of the pick-and-roll. And every defender on the perimeter has an added boost of confidence knowing Ezi’s waiting to clean up any attempt on the cup.

“I think for me, obviously being injured, I wanted to really utilize this time to work on things or to kind of just make the most of this rehab process. So yes, rehabbing, but also just working on my mental, working on areas of my body that I haven’t really been able to focus on during the season. But then also just being around the team, that was a big thing for me. I know being injured—it can feel a little isolating at times—so I’m just trying to be amongst the group during practices, shootaround, in all moments that I can be,” Ezi says. 

Assuming the newfound role has been a seamless transition thanks to Ezi’s selfless nature being at the center of her approach to the game. As she’s grown into an All-Star and four-time All-Defense selection, she’s had to fill every need the team required: to be a distributor, defend the paint, apply rim pressure and lean on her athleticism for outperforming other bigs. Giving back the knowledge that she was given was just a natural reaction, knowing that pouring into everyone now will yield the same success she once witnessed in the long run.

“I think at my core, I think I just love to win. I love winning and doing that in whatever capacity is needed of me. I think it’s just kind of easier for me to translate that selflessness on the court, because that’s who I am as a person,” Ezi says. “It’s easy for me to want to see my teammates succeed, want to see the team succeed. And so it’s like, whatever is asked of me, however I can help someone be better, I’ll try my best to do that.”

In her seventh WNBA season, Ezi Magbegor’s list of responsibilities is longer than ever, with the added personal obligation to set the tone on both ends of the floor. In Seattle, defense fuels the offense, energy and pace of the game. And as one of the League’s best in that department and Seattle’s anchor, she’s ready to amplify a run or spark one out of nowhere.

The offensive side of her game has begun to flourish, too. She uses her athleticism to her advantage against the larger bigs of the League with a lightning-quick first step. Her passing ability from the post is sneaky good. And the post move package is constantly being fine-tuned. As she guides the Storm with visual examples of work, consistency and pouring into others, she’s tapping into the power that her experience holds, and the happiness it can create. Like the smile on Flau’jae’s face after an emphatic stuff.

“[I’m] just playing with joy and playing freely. I think basketball is supposed to be fun, and yes, it’s going to be hard. Yes, you’re going to go through ups and downs, but I think at the core, the fun part of the game is remembering why you play,” Ezi says. “And so just being able to share that experience and share our whys with everyone, I think that’s something that’s going to be fun this year. There’s also joy in growth. And so just seeing the progression and the growth from day one to game 44 is going to be exciting, too.”

Action photos via Getty Images.