The Utah Starzz were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Salt Lake City. They began play in the 1997 WNBA season as one of the league's eight original teams.
History One of the eight original WNBA teams, the Starzz were partially named after the old ABA team Utah Stars. They were the sister team to the NBA's Utah Jazz.
In 2002, after five seasons, Utah Jazz ownership lost interest in keeping the Starzz, leaving the team at risk of folding. No local buyers could be found, so the Starzz announced their intention to move out of Salt Lake City. On December 5, 2002, the team was purchased by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and it was announced that they would move immediately to San Antonio and change their nickname to the Silver Stars. The team relocated and became the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2003.
Uniforms 1997–2002: For home games, white with blue on the sides and shoulders and white Starzz logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with purple on the sides and white Starzz logo text on the chest. The Starzz logo is on the shorts.
Season-by-season records SeasonTeamConferenceRegular seasonPlayoff ResultsWLPCTUtah Starzz 1997 1997West 4th 7 21 .250 1998 1998West 5th 8 22 .267 1999 1999West 6th 15 17 .469 2000 2000West 5th 18 14 .563 2001 2001West 3rd 19 13 .594 Lost Conference Semifinals (Sacramento, 0–2) 2002 2002West 3rd 20 12 .625 Won Conference Semifinals (Houston, 2–1)Lost Conference Finals (Los Angeles, 0–2)Regular season 87 99 .468 0 Conference ChampionshipsPlayoffs 2 5 .286 0 WNBA Championships
Players
Final roster
Notable players Margo Dydek Marie Ferdinand-Harris Kristen Rasmussen Olympia Scott Natalie Williams Fran Harris Erin Alexander Adrienne Goodson
FIBA Hall of Fame Utah Starzz Hall of FamersPlayers No. Name Position Tenure Inducted 12 Margo Dydek C 1998–2002 2019
Coaches
Head coaches Denise Taylor (1997–1998) Frank Layden (1998–1999) Fred Williams (1999–2001) Candi Harvey (2001–2002)
General managers Tim Howells (1997–1999)
All-time notes
Draft picks 1997 Elite Draft: Dena Head (1), Wendy Palmer (9) 1997 WNBA Draft: Tammi Reiss (5), Jessie Hicks (12), Raegan Scott (21), Kim Williams (28) 1998 WNBA Draft: Margo Dydek (1), Olympia Scott (11), LaTonya Johnson (21), Tricia Bader (31) 1999 WNBA Draft: Natalie Williams (3), Debbie Black (15), Adrienne Goodson (27), Dalma Ivanyi (39) 2000 WNBA Draft: Naomi Mulitauaopele (12), Stacy Frese (35), Kristen Rasmussen (51) 2001 WNBA Draft: Marie Ferdinand (8), Michaela Pavlickova (24), Shea Ralph (40), Cara Consuegra (56) 2002 WNBA Draft: Danielle Crockrom (11), Andrea Gardner (27), Edmarie Lumbsley (43), Jaclyn Winfield (59)
All-stars 1999: Natalie Williams 2000: Natalie Williams 2001: Natalie Williams 2002: Marie Ferdinand, Adrienne Goodson
References
External links Official Site (October 2002) (Archived)