The Seattle Storm has announced a significant addition to its coaching staff. Former WNBA player and four-time Canadian Olympian Natalie Achonwa will join the franchise as assistant coach for the upcoming 2026 season.
Achonwa currently serves as Michigan women’s basketball general manager and assistant coach. She will finish out the current college season before officially joining the Storm later this year.
Building a New Coaching Team Around Sonia Raman
The Storm is assembling a fresh coaching staff for the 2026 season. Achonwa joins two other new assistant coaches, Jarell Christian and Michael Joiner.
They’ll work alongside new head coach Sonia Raman, who was hired in November 2025. The Storm is clearly rebuilding its entire coaching infrastructure from the ground up.
This coordinated hiring suggests the franchise has a specific vision for its future. Bringing in multiple coaches simultaneously allows for cohesive system implementation.
Completing Her Second Season at Michigan First
Achonwa won’t immediately depart from her current role. She will stay on staff at Michigan for the remainder of the season.
This decision honors her commitment to the Wolverines basketball program. Finishing what she started demonstrates professional integrity and loyalty.
Last year marked her first season as assistant coach for player development. Now in her second season, she’s expanded her role to include general manager responsibilities.
An Impressive 22-4 Record Under Her Leadership
Achonwa has helped Michigan achieve remarkable success this season. The team currently holds an impressive 22-4 overall record.
Their Big Ten Conference record stands at 13-2, demonstrating consistent excellence. These numbers represent one of the strongest performances in program history.
According to Maize N Brew, Michigan is currently ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll. This ranking is one of the highest the program has ever achieved.
Four Olympic Appearances for Team Canada
Achonwa’s basketball resume extends far beyond coaching credentials. She competed as a four-time Canadian Olympian across multiple Games.
Her Olympic appearances span 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. Few athletes maintain elite performance levels across such an extended timeframe.
Additionally, she served as assistant coach for Canada’s U19 World Cup team in 2025. This demonstrates her ability to work with younger players developing their skills.
WNBA Career From Indiana to Minnesota
The Indiana Fever drafted Achonwa with the ninth overall pick in 2014. She played for the franchise from 2015 to 2020 after recovering from injury.
During her time with Indiana, she established herself as a reliable post player. Her contributions earned recognition both on and off the court.
After a stint playing overseas, she returned to the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. She played for Minnesota from 2021 to 2023 before transitioning to coaching.
Recognition for On-Court and Community Impact
Achonwa’s playing career included several significant honors. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2014 during her debut season.
Her community engagement earned special recognition over the years. She received the 2019 WNBA Community Assist Award for her charitable work.
The following year, she was awarded the 2020 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award. These honors reflect her commitment to impact beyond basketball statistics.
Supporting Coaching Moms Through the Alex Morgan Foundation
Achonwa received meaningful recognition for balancing motherhood with coaching in 2024. She was the inaugural recipient of the Alex Morgan Foundation’s “Coaching Moms Initiative.”
This program supports high-potential college coaches who are also mothers. The grant provides childcare funding assistance to qualified recipients.
Such support makes coaching careers more accessible for mothers in sports. Achonwa’s recognition highlights both her potential and the challenges coaching mothers face.
Uncertain WNBA Season Start Date
The Storm’s planning occurs against uncertain league-wide circumstances. The WNBA season is in jeopardy of not starting by the May 8 opening date.
The league and players are currently at a stalemate in negotiations. They’re working toward a new collective bargaining agreement without consensus.
This labor dispute could affect Achonwa’s transition timeline to Seattle. However, her commitment to finishing at Michigan provides flexibility regardless of WNBA scheduling.
Bringing Player Development Expertise to Seattle
Achonwa’s Michigan role focused specifically on player development. This expertise will prove valuable with the Storm’s roster composition.
Understanding how to maximize individual player potential benefits any coaching staff. Her recent playing career gives her credibility with current WNBA athletes.
Players often respond well to coaches who recently competed at the same level. Achonwa can relate to the physical and mental demands they face.
Transitioning From Playing to Coaching Successfully
Achonwa’s coaching career demonstrates successful transition from player to staff. Many former players struggle to translate their knowledge into effective coaching.
She’s proven capable of helping teams win at the collegiate level. Now she’ll test those skills in the professional ranks where she once played.
Her Olympic experience, WNBA background, and recent coaching success create a strong foundation. The Seattle Storm is betting that combination translates to WNBA coaching excellence.