Kyle Heywood, Logan Jones, Steve Schwartzman to attend today’s game as Seattle’s Assistant General Managers
SEATTLE – Seattle has announced that WNBA fans Kyle Heywood, Logan Jones and Steve Schwartzman will serve as the franchise’s assistant general managers today, as the team takes on the Phoenix Mercury at 6 p.m. PT on NBA TV and locally on JOEtv (KZJO Ch. 22, cable 110).
The trio has been at the center of a Twitter conversation between the two franchises dating back to Aug. 3, when the league announced that the WNBA would make its video game debut in NBA Live 18. During the Twitter exchange amongst the official Storm and Mercury accounts, Heywood, James and Schwartzman, Storm forward Breanna Stewart personally invited the fans to an upcoming game. The invite can be viewed here.
“We are honored to have Kyle, Logan and Steve join us at tonight’s game,” said Storm President and GM Alisha Valavanis. “Their interaction with our franchise stemmed from the WNBA’s inclusion in EA’s newest NBA Live 18 video game. What better way to experience WNBA basketball, live from KeyArena, than to be a GM for a day?”
The group, who live in Utah, are using the hashtag #WNBARoadTrip on Twitter as they chronicle their road trips to both WNBA venues, having previously attended Seattle’s Aug. 12 game in Phoenix, which the Storm won 98-89. They also are the voices that comprise the ‘This is Important’ podcast, which will include WNBA coverage moving forward.
Heywood, Jones and Schwartzman will be available to media during the pregame and postgame WNBA media availability windows at KeyArena today. Please notify a Seattle Storm PR rep if you wish to speak with the team’s newest front office additions.
The WNBA’s original NBA Live 18 announcement can be viewed here.
STORM NOTES VS. PHOENIX
The best point guard in women’s basketball history, Sue Bird sits only six assists away from becoming the WNBA’s all-time assist leader. With 2,594 career dimes, Bird is on the verge of passing Ticha Penicheiro (2,599), and with a 6.5 assist-per-game average, she is likely to break the record today.
Breanna Stewart can set a new franchise record for most 20+ scoring efforts in a single season. She currently has 20, tied with Storm legend Lauren Jackson, who posted 20 20+ scoring games in 2007. Stewart looks to put up her 21st 20+ scoring effort today vs. Phoenix.
Seattle (14-17) currently sits in eighth place in the latest WNBA standings and looks to continue its playoff push today. With a win, Seattle would eliminate Atlanta from postseason contention.
After Sunday’s showdown with Phoenix, the Storm will hit the road for matchups at Washington (Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. ET) and Chicago (Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. CT) to cap the 2017 regular season.