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Storm shot stopper Ezi's career year for blocks

Written By

Peter Brown

Senior Editor

Storm shot stopper Ezi's career year for blocks
Storm shot stopper Ezi's career year for blocks

Australian Ezi Magbegor #13 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket as A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces plays defense during the game during Round 1, Game 3 on September 19, 2025 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images

Highlights

Ezi Magbegor’s defense powers Seattle Storm to playoffs, falling one point short of stunning Aces

Australian Opals star Ezi Magbegor is a winner and her Seattle Storm came within a point of upsetting the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs.

The Storm's season ended at the hands of the Aces in Game 3 — 74-73 — on Friday, September 19, 2025. Seattle finished the season as the 23-21 seventh seed.

Centre Magbegor, 26, blocked 96 regular season shots at an average of 2.2 per game, second to Aces' A'ja Wilson (2.3) and Australians Opals teammate and 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith (1.9).

She came into the 2025 season on the back of ZVVZ USK Praha Czech Women's Basketball League title ready to make an impact in her sixth season with Seattle.

“Winning the EuroLeague was really special," she said earlier this year.

"Our team wasn’t the favorite — we had to beat Schio first, then Fenerbahçe, who were the team to beat. Coming in as underdogs, we had nothing to lose. Many of my teammates had been in EuroLeague finals before and fallen short, so sharing that championship with them was really special. Despite the odds and the tough route, it felt pretty good to come out on top.”

"It still feels kind of weird that I'm the longest-tenured player here and going into my sixth year," Magbegor said.

"With that comes experience, and in terms of role I think the team is hoping to get a little bit more leadership out of me. I’m not always going to be the loudest one in the room or on the court, but more of a lead-by-example type. I like to observe, get to know my teammates, and see how I can get the best out of them.

"For me it’s about being consistent, being someone my teammates can rely on, and just being the best player I can be.

"One of my top goals is consistency — being someone my teammates can rely on. I want to continue to grow defensively and be that defensive anchor for the team. I also want to be an all-around player, put in the work, and be the best player I can be."

Magbegor delivered on the defensive side of the ball but her scoring and shooting splits were down against 2024. She averaged 2.2 blocks per game, up from 1.7, but dipped to eight points per game on less than 50% from the field. Her three point percentage and free throw percentage were also down.

Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings shoots against Australian centre Ezi Magbegor #13 of the Seattle Storm at College Park Center on August 23, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Photo: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Ezi Magbegor Performance — 2025 Season

  • Team: Seattle Storm
  • League: WNBA
  • Season (Year): 6th WNBA Season (2025)
  • Position / Jersey #: Forward-Centre / #13
  • Height / Weight: 6’4” / 181 lbs (193 cm / 82 kg)
  • Age / DOB: 26 (Aug 13, 1999)
  • Nationality: Australian (born Wellington, NZ; raised in AUS)
  • Accolades: 1x WNBA All-Star, 2020 WNBA Champion, 3x WNBA All-Defensive

Season Snapshot

  • Games Played: 44
  • Minutes Per Game: 27.3
  • Role / Usage: Starting frontcourt anchor, elite rim protector, emerging playmaker.

Regular Season Stats (Per Game Averages — 2025)

  • GMS: 44 I PTS: 8.0 I REB: 6.2 I AST: 2.1 I STL: 0.7 I BLK: 2.2 I FG%: 49.3 I 3P%: 29.2 I FT%: 68.7 I Turnovers: 1.0

Career Stats (Per Game Averages)

  • GMS: 206 I PTS: 9.7 I REB: 6.0 I AST: 1.7 I STL: 0.8 I BLK: 1.7 I FG%: 51.8 I 3P%: 33.2 I FT%: 75.2 I Turnovers: 1.3

Career Totals (Regular Season)

  • Games: 206
  • Games Started: 147
  • Minutes: 5,207
  • FG: 806-1556 (51.8%)
  • 3P: 73-220 (33.2%)
  • 2P: 733-1336 (54.9%)
  • eFG%: 54.1%
  • FT: 310-412 (75.2%)
  • Off Rebounds: 356
  • Def Rebounds: 888
  • Total Rebounds: 1,244
  • Assists: 344
  • Steals: 174
  • Blocks: 354
  • Turnovers: 271
  • Personal Fouls: 575
  • Points: 1,995

Team Performance — 2025 (Seattle Storm)

  • Record: 23–21 (.523)
  • Standing: 7th of 12 (Playoff qualifier)
  • Scoring: 82.1 PPG (allowed 80.1, +2.0 differential)
  • Playoffs: First Round exit vs Las Vegas (1–2)

Ezi Magbegor's contribution to Seattle

  • Win Shares: 4.5 (Career: 20.7)
  • Defensive Anchor: Magbegor averaged 2.2 blocks per game and was central to Seattle’s defensive identity.
  • Efficient Scoring: 49.3% is down on her career numbers
  • Expanded Role: Magbegor recorded a career-high 2.1 AST per game; which showed increased usage in playmaking sets.

Highlights

  • Jul 14 vs WSH: 19 PTS, 7 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK (7-13 FG).
  • Aug 2 vs LA (2OT): 9 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK.
  • Aug 29 @ MIN: 8 PTS, 7 REB, 5 BLK.
  • Playoffs (Game 2 vs LV): 4 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK in win.

Performance Trends

  • Shot-blocking consistency: Averaged 2+ BLK most of the season.
  • Offensive dip: Scoring down from career 9.7 → 8.0 PPG, FG% slightly below career 51.8%.
  • Playmaking growth: Best assist output of her career (2.1 AST).

Impact & Role

  • Offense: Ezi's athleticism makes her a potent and efficient rim-runner and occasional 3PT threat.
  • Defense: Her 3x All-Defensive Team honours proves she is one of the WNBA's premier rim protector and switch defender
  • Team Value: Advanced metrics confirm her as one of Seattle’s most impactful two-way players (PER 16.1, WS 4.5).

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