Seattle Storm: Leah Drury promoted to assistant coach, former Seattle U standout Talisa Rhea added to operations staff
The Seattle Storm today announced changes to head coach Jenny Boucek’s staff for the upcoming 2016 season with a woman added to the coaching lineup. Ryan Webb, who will be entering his second season on the sideline, has been named the first assistant. Leah Drury, who spent the 2015 campaign as the manager of video and equipment, has been elevated to assistant coach. In addition to the coaching staff, Talisa Rhea, former women’s basketball standout at Seattle University, has been added to the basketball operations staff.
Last season Boucek’s coaching staff included Webb and Rob Fodor as assistant coaches. Fodor was formerly employed as the shooting director for the Erik Spoelstra Basketball Academy.
“We are thrilled that Jenny has elevated Ryan, Leah and added Talisa to the staff,” said Storm president and general manager Alisha Valavanis. “She has assembled an energetic and passionate staff with local ties and a deep commitment to the Seattle community.”
Webb, 31, spent the 2015 season with a primary focus on player development and scout preparation. He worked extensively with guards Jewell Loyd, Jenna O’Hea and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis. In addition, Webb was also responsible for team scouts and practice team scout preparation.
Drury, 31, enters her first season on the sideline in 2016 and will assist with all player and team development and all aspects of game preparation. Drury served as the manager of video and equipment during the 2015 season, and her duties included video exchange, film breakdown and overseeing all equipment distribution. Prior to her time with the Storm, Drury served as the women’s basketball head coach at Pensacola State from 2012-14.
“Leah and Ryan are valuable teammates,” said Boucek. “They are passionate, diligent, humble, loyal and talented. We are excited to continue serving our team together.”
2016 marks Talisa Rhea’s first season as the Storm’s manager of basketball operations. She spent the 2015 campaign as an intern with the basketball operations department. Following her undergraduate career, Rhea played professionally in Poland for one season, August 2012 through March 2013, with Centrum Wzgorze Poland. Rhea graduated from Seattle University in 2012, where she was a captain of the women’s basketball team her senior year. She played her first three collegiate seasons at Oregon State before transferring to Seattle.
