Storm to honor All-Decade team

The Storm's past came back to life on Friday, when players who helped build the 10-year-old franchise gathered again at the team's practice facility. Tonight, they will be celebrated as the organization honors its All-Decade team.

Storm ownership — four women who have been season-ticket holders since 2000 — spared little expense in flying in players and former staff for the ceremony. WNBA president Donna Orender will also attend.

Brazilian forward Iziane Castro Marques (now playing for Atlanta), Australian guard Tully Bevilaqua (Indiana) and Los Angeles guard Betty Lennox will be unable to appear because of team obligations. The other All-Decade members are current Storm players Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Janell Burse, and former stars Kamila Vodichkova, Simone Edwards and Adia Barnes.

"When I landed, I was holding myself, trying not to cry because I just felt great being back in Seattle," said Vodichkova, 36. "The weather was perfect and the sea was blue. All of the things were where they were supposed to be."

Vodichkova, the team's first draft pick, hadn't returned since she played for Phoenix in 2006. She missed the Mercury's 2007 title season to give birth to her son, Martin, and lives in Czech Republic. Occasionally she broadcasts games for Czech television.

Dubbed "Vodka", she averaged 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in five seasons in Seattle. Vodichkova left after the Storm broke up its 2004 title team, claiming it couldn't afford to keep three key veterans.

Players reunited Friday while the team prepared for its game tonight at KeyArena against San Antonio.

Barnes, 32, a color commentator for the Storm, averaged 3.2 points and 3.0 rebounds for the team from 2002-04. She also started a foundation in Seattle.

"Everybody appreciated the stuff I did off the court, too," said Barnes. "I didn't do a whole lot on the court. But being involved in the community, people recognized it and appreciated it."

Edwards, 35, also started a foundation in the area and is holding a private fundraiser while in Seattle. She and Vodichkova were on the inaugural Storm team.

"This is very special because we've been here from the start," she said. "We still have some fans that have been with us and still love us, even though we're not here. It's emotional."

Walker has setback

Ashley Walker's sesamoid bone near her right big toe was re-evaluated on Thursday, and the Storm rookie learned she'll have to wear a protective boot for at least two more weeks. Walker injured the toe in practice.

"It's not healing as well as we anticipated," Storm coach Brian Agler said. "It's an injury that, because of the low amount of blood flow to the area, it doesn't get a chance to heal quite as quickly. We want to be patient with it so we don't eventually have to do surgery on it. It's going to take some time."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com