Duke In The Pros: Brown Moves To Seattle As Cooper Starts Strong On National Squad

Lexie Brown

Former Duke women’s basketball guard Lexie Brown was traded to the Seattle Storm after three seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. Finishing at the bottom of the WNBA standings after the 2024 season, the Sparks have struggled to perform consistently during Brown’s tenure on the team. However, the former Blue Devil was a strong contributor to the squad. The Suwanee, Ga., native averaged 12.4 points and started 11 out of the 12 games she played during her 2023 season.

However, Brown’s season was cut short by a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. The severe autoimmune disorder required multiple gastrointestinal surgeries, and she needed to take a break from the WNBA to recover. During the subsequent 2024 season, she made sure to prioritize her health first, taking breaks when necessary. Recently, Brown has become an advocate for those with Crohn’s Disease online and shares her journey with others struggling with the disease.

The Storm offers her a chance for a fresh start with her renewed emphasis on wellness. The Seattle team, which finished fifth last season, is looking to draw on the veteran’s experience.

“Her tenacity to make plays on both sides of the ball and ability to stretch the defense with tremendous range are great additions to our roster,” Talisa Rhea, the Storm’s general manager, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to welcome her to Seattle.”

During her time at Duke, the 5-foot-9 player was a star that scored 1,263 points during only two seasons in Durham, ranking 22nd in program history. She was also the only player at the time to receive All-American honors at two different schools, having played at Maryland before becoming a Blue Devil her junior year.