Seattle Storm guard Brittney “Slim” Sykes prides herself on being adaptable, and she’ll remain that way in the next chapter of her career.
Sykes, a nine-year WNBA veteran, has several accolades to her name, including multiple All-Defensive Team selections, a 2017 WNBA All-Rookie Team nod and a 2025 WNBA All-Star selection. The former Syracuse guard spent time with the Atlanta Dream, Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics before joining the Seattle Storm via trade on August 5.
Advertisement
She told For the Win that with her trade request, it wasn’t up to her where she landed. Ultimately, the Mystics found a deal that they could execute with the Storm. However, her new stomping grounds in Seattle, under head coach Noelle Quinn, give her a chance to potentially play in the WNBA playoffs and compete for a championship with other veterans like guard Skylar Diggins and forward Nneka Ogwumike.
“For me, I was really, really lucky and blessed for the situation to end up in Seattle,” Sykes said. “It was a perfect match.”
For The Win chatted with Sykes about her trade from the Mystics to the Storm amid her All-Star season, how she feels about her trademark nickname “Slim” and her hysterical dance routine during All-Star weekend.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Advertisement
What stands out the most from your time with the Mystics?
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – MAY 28: Brittney Sykes #20 and Sonia Citron #22 of the Washington Mystics celebrate after a victory against the Indiana Fever at CFG Bank Arena on May 28, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
I met a lot of great people, and Washington was very big part of kind of like what I view as going into the second half of my career. I’m creeping up on 10 years. So I think Washington helped me grow a lot, and, if I had to give it a word, I’d probably say it was a very transformative year for me.
I spent three years on three teams, and I’d probably say that I allowed myself to make Washington home and settle in. And so when parting ways, it wasn’t the easiest thing, but it was what needed to be done.
What made Seattle the ideal place for you?
If I’m being totally honest, it really wasn’t up to me where I would land. Like that’s the whole thing about requesting trades, you know? And, for me, I was really, really lucky and blessed for the situation to end up in Seattle. There were a few teams that were asking around when I had requested the trade, but ultimately, Seattle had what Washington wanted in the request. So I ended up here, and it was a perfect match. So I got really lucky.
Advertisement
What were your initial conversations like with the Storm?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 13: Head coach Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm talks with Brittney Sykes #20 against the Atlanta Dream at Climate Pledge Arena on August 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
I mean, it was dope. I was just in free agency in [2023], so I had already had a conversation with [Noelle Quinn] before and kind of knew if we were ever to be paired together on the court, what it would look like.
Obviously, I played with at least four or five teammates on this team when I was in LA, so the familiarity there helps a lot with the transition. But it’s just a group that wants to win and has a certain level of winning under their belt as individuals and as an organization. So it was really good for me to come here and just keep learning and keep growing.
Advertisement
Who on the Storm have you formed an early bond with?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 13: Brittney Sykes #20 of the Seattle Storm gathers with her teammates before the game against the Atlanta Dream at Climate Pledge Arena on August 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Honestly, everybody does a really good job of just pouring into each other. Obviously, me and Nneka [Ogwumike] have conversations. Me and Ezi [Magbegor], we’ve played overseas before, so, to be back together, we’ve been spending some time.
But just honestly with everybody. We just went to the movies yesterday to watch Weapons. So, it’s been really dope just to spend some time outside of basketball, kind of relax, reprieve and just regroup.
Are you and your teammates talkers during the movies or silent watchers?
No, no, no, no, no. We were quiet. We were actually laughing because one of our teammates ― I’m not gonna give her up ― but one of our teammates was real scary. So every time something happens, she was jumping the whole time.
Advertisement
What have the Storm done to help you continue your All-Star season?
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 19: Brittney Sykes #15 of the Washington Mystics reacts during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Just putting me in positions to where I can be successful. Their offense is ― they have similarities to where I was just at, but very much their own identity. It’s just one of those things where I think I’m a very adaptable player, probably one of the most adaptable in the league.
It was just for me to come in, see what the team needs or what I can continue to do. All they said was literally what you’ve been doing, do it here. That was as easy as you can get.
Where did your “Slim” nickname come from? Is it strange when people call you Brittney?
Michael Cooper. He was “Showtime Coop.” He gave me the nickname. He said that every player that he’s given a nickname to they’ve won a championship. So, I’m still going towards that, but I truly believe that because he gave “Silk” and “Smooth” to Candace [Parker] and Lisa [Leslie], and then he gave me “Slim.” That’s what he told me, and I won’t ever forget that.
Advertisement
He gave it to me because he said, trying to say my name ― because originally it was “Slim Quick.” And he said, trying to say my name, when really he was just trying to yell at me, it was too much. So he just was like, “Damn it, ‘Slim,'” and it just stuck. Everything was “Slim” from now on, and I just tell people I introduce myself to “Slim.” Broadcasters call me Slim. It’s what I prefer. … I don’t like when people call me by my first name. It’s so personal. It was when my mom was mad at me. That’s when I heard my first name. So, I’m OK with not hearing it.
What did your All-Star reunion with Natasha Cloud mean to you?
(Warning: NSFW language in video below.)
Honestly, it was such a surreal moment because, obviously, me and Tash, we’ve always been cool with each other, but then when we finally shared the court together, I think that’s when our bond truly erupted. Because we already had a bond, but then it just like, boom ― like just through the door. Then we only played with each other in 2023. We just always had each other’s backs, and it was one of those things where we were rooting for each other, like, “We gone go to All-Star. We’re gonna have our first All-Star together.”
Advertisement
And even though she might have not been named All-Star, it’s just being a skills challenge, and to have her moment where she wins the skills challenge, like that in itself was just so dope to watch. It’s just one of those things where you just see two really close friends, get to see each other succeed through all the BS. … We were really close, and we were just really happy for each other and just genuinely just so stoked that we were at All-Star together because that’s what we wanted.
Was your viral dance routine moment at All-Star planned?
No. That was just “Slim” being “Slim.” I mean, I have some rhythm now. Don’t get me wrong. It takes rhythm to do what I did, but I did like a little dance class in I don’t know when ― I think I was still in high school.
Advertisement
It was like an upper-bound program, like one of them enrichment programs, and I did dancing. I don’t know. I just like to move my body. Movement makes me feel good. Motion is lotion.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Q&A: Brittney Sykes on her Seattle trade, All-Star season
