Flau’jae Johnson has been waiting to see a classic Ezi Magbegor block. Whether it was an emphatic rejection into the third row or a cerebral swat that she tips to herself for an offensive possession didn’t matter; the No. 8 pick in the 2026 Draft just wanted to see what a stuff from her new 6-6 teammate looked like in person.
“She says, I’ve been watching your block highlights, but I need to see it in person. And I was saying that hopefully we’re on different teams in my first practice back, so I can block a shot. That’s my goal,” Ezi says with a laugh.
The denial took some time to come to fruition, as Ezi missed the first two months of the season with a right foot injury. But against the Portland Fire on the 4th of July, Big 4 finally got to see the act that has sent Climate Pledge Arena into a frenzy for the past six seasons. And she got to see it twice.
The Pacific Northwest Rivalry Series served as Ezi’s second game back from injury. And while she continues to find her rhythm, it’s the new connections and the role she’s assumed this season that’s giving the seven-year veteran added confidence in her return to the hardwood. After being the youngest player on every team she’s played for, Ezi’s now the longest-tenured Seattle player on the roster and the on-court expert for a new generation of players to lean on.
“It’s been exciting,” Ezi says of the feeling inside of the practice facility each day. “I love seeing people come into the gym and just be sponges. I think when I first started, that was—still is—how I am. I just love learning and love asking questions, and I think we definitely have a lot of people that do that. So I think just coming into an environment, a facility, where people want to be and want to get better and want to be energetic, I think it just creates a really nice vibe.”
Jared ebanks 