New assistant Bown earning stripes as teacher for players

Screaming players and bouncing basketballs are heard from all corners of the Storm's training facility.

For the first time in the team's three-year existence, Storm Coach Lin Dunn has the luxury of strolling around training camp with a Diet Coke, peeking in on drills that resemble a clinic rather than practice.

Everywhere you look, it seems, an assistant coach is giving tips to make players better. Under one hoop, Chris Bown is running a rebounding drill with the intensity of a sergeant.

In a camp that features coaches who are women's basketball pioneers (Dunn), have Olympic experience (assistant Carrie Graf) or longtime college expertise (assistant Gary Kloppenburg), Bown has zero professional experience. Yet, he's the Storm's coordinator of individual player development.

Bown, 38, worked during the offseason with Storm guards Michelle Marciniak, Charmin Smith and Jamie Redd on shooting and other skills.

"You don't just become a pro coach, that thought is not lost on me," Bown said. "Lin has given me an incredible opportunity."

Bown recently resigned as Holy Names Academy girls basketball coach after one season because of philosophical differences. He was hired by the Storm in January after Dunn listened to a speech he gave about — what else? — individual player development.

"I thought I did a horrible job," said Bown, a Washington alumnus. "Then, Lin comes over, points a finger and says, 'I want your resume tomorrow morning.' Here, I'm able to use what I'm good at, and that's teaching players."

One thing the WNBA doesn't provide much time for is player development. But during camp Bown can work with players while Dunn and her staff focus on the season.

"He's a great teacher," Dunn said. "Even though he doesn't have any collegiate or pro experience, we feel he's valuable because of the way he relates to the players. Plus, he gives us a guy to work against in drills."

Notes

• Dunn lightened up a fiery practice by offering $20 to anyone who made a halfcourt shot within five minutes. Both guard Semeka Randall and forward Takeisha Lewis made the shot. Lewis needed one attempt while Randall needed three.

• Center Angelina Wolvert missed practice after waking up with back spasms yesterday. She's listed as day-to-day.

• The Sacramento Monarchs acquired forward Cass Bauer-Bilodeau from the Washington Mystics for a third-round pick in the 2003 WNBA draft. Bauer-Bilodeau played one season for the Mystics, appearing in 15 games as a reserve. She previously played two seasons for Charlotte, starting 18 games for the Sting in 2000. The Mystics also waived forward Valerie Mouneke.

Jayda Evans can be reached at 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com.