Jewell Loyd isn’t ‘surprised or shocked’ by Seattle Storm teammate; reveals 6’2″ star’s major commitment during WNBA offseason

Jewell Loyd and Jordan Horston share a stellar record with the Seattle Storm and with that, an unexpected partnership has emerged that promises to reshape the team’s future. The Storm’s championship aspirations may well hinge on the success of this new partnership. With the emphasis on intensive training and rigorous boot camp that has resulted in Loyd’s teammate’s high performances, the No. 24 guard has nothing but praise for her commitment.

During the post-game press conference, All-Star Jewell Loyd revealed the intriguing story of taking Jordan Horston under her wing, which helped Horston push his limits and challenge his boundaries.Jordan had made a commitment to come train with me in the offseason and she kept some of the best players in the world. And it wasn’t easy, there was a lot of frustration.,” Jewell Loyd said during his post-match media appearance.

Speaking about her faith in Jordan Horston and reflecting on her gameplay, the 30-year-old added: “She could guard grown men, hold them back and frustrate them like she’s been able to do the last two games, but I knew she had a lot of stuff in her to really become a star in this league defensively..”

As Horston continued to excel during offseason training, Loyd’s confidence in her grew. So much so that she believes the 23-year-old could truly be a star in the pro league when it comes to defense. Not only has Horston improved her game from last season, she’s also put up some better performances this season. Last season, she averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while this season, she’s averaging 7.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Maintaining such a stellar game, in a recent game against the Dallas Wings, Horston scored 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. And it didn’t leave Loyd surprised or shocked by the performance of the 9th pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, because it’s exactly what she had envisioned for her teammate.

As Horston continues to put up impressive numbers, let’s take a look at what’s been happening behind the scenes that’s allowed him to strengthen his gameplay and simultaneously develop chemistry with Loyd.

Off-season training camp and Horston-Loyd chemistry

Horston’s commitment became evident when she embarked on a four-week “boot camp” with Loyd. During that time, Horston focused primarily on workouts while Loyd took care of her. It was an intense training period that included daily sessions and mentorship opportunities beyond the basketball court. And the biggest takeaway from the experience for Horston was consistency.

It seems to have strengthened the bond between the teammates on the field. Loyd explained that the challenges she faced during the offseason have boosted Horston’s confidence and even mentioned that the lessons learned can now be replicated in the game.

As the season resumes, the chemistry between Horston and Loyd becomes essential to the Storm’s success. With Loyd as the guide and Horston as the facilitator, it appears the Seattle Storm may have that feared duo that can shape their future.

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