Tulsa Shock

Tulsa Shock
2011 Tulsa Shock season
Tulsa Shock logo
Conference	Western
Founded	1998 (as Detroit)
History	Detroit Shock (1998–2009) Tulsa Shock (2010–present)
Arena	BOK Center
Location	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Team colors	Gold, black, white, red
Head coach	Teresa Edwards
Ownership	Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC
Championships	3 (2003, 2006, 2008)
Conference titles	4 (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008)

The Tulsa Shock is a professional basketball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in Detroit, Michigan before the 1998 WNBA season began; the team moved to Tulsa before the 2010 season. The team is owned by Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, which is led by Bill Cameron and David Box.

The Shock have not qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in their years in Tulsa. The franchise has been home to many high-quality players such as athletic shooting guard Deanna Nolan, women's professional basketball all-time leading scorer Katie Smith, former NBA great Karl Malone's daughter Cheryl Ford, and young Australian center Liz Cambage. In 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008 (as Detroit), the Shock went to the WNBA Finals; they won in 2003, 2006 and 2008, beating Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Antonio, respectively. They lost in 2007 to Phoenix.

The Shock are one of three WNBA teams to not share a city with an NBA counterpart; it does, however, share the market with an NBA Development League team (the Tulsa 66ers).

Franchise history

The Detroit Shock (1998–2009)

Main article: Detroit Shock

The early years (1998–2002)

The Shock were one of the first WNBA expansion teams and began play in 1998. The Shock quickly brought in a blend of rookies and veterans. The team only qualified for the postseason once in its first five years of existence. The Shock went through two coaches (hall of famer Nancy Lieberman and Greg Williams) before hiring former former Detroit Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer. There were rumors the Shock would fold after the team's awful 2002 season. Laimbeer convinced the owners to keep the team for another year, certain that he could turn things around.

The Bill Laimbeer era (2003–2008)

Detroit Shock

Bill Laimbeer

After massive changes to the roster, Laimbeer predicted before the 2003 season that the Shock would be league champions, and his prediction would unbelievably come true. The Shock finished with a 25-9 record and winning the number one seed by seven games. In the playoffs, the Shock defeated the Cleveland Rockers and the Connecticut Sun to reach the WNBA Finals. Despite the achievements, the Shock were viewed as huge underdogs to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks. The Shock emerged victorious in the series, winning a thrilling game three (in 2003, the Finals were a best-of-three series) which drew the largest crowd in WNBA history (22,076). Detroit became the first team in league history to go from last place one season to WNBA champions the very next season.

After coming up short in 2004 and 2005, the 2006 Shock finished 23-11 record and finished number two in the Eastern Conference. The Shock defeated the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun to advance to the Finals again, where they faced the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs. The Shock won the series 3-2, and claimed their second WNBA title.

In 2007, the Shock again advanced to the Finals but were defeated by the Phoenix Mercury in five games. The 2008 Shock posted a 22-12 regular season record, the best record in the East yet again. In the Finals, the Shock faced the San Antonio Silver Stars, who had not lost to an Eastern Conference team all season. Surprisingly, Detroit swept San Antonio, capturing their third championship in franchise history.

The final Detroit Shock season (2009)

The Shock were named favorites for 2009, but they had a rough road getting there. Bill Laimbeer resigned as head coach early in the season, and they even found themselves in the bottom of the standings. However, interim coach Rick Mahorn and the Shock bounced back in the second half of 2009 and eventually placed themselves in the playoffs for the seventh straight year at 18-16. The Shock lost in the second round to the Indiana Fever, failing to reach the Finals for the first time since 2005.

The Tulsa Shock (2010–present)

Relocation (2010)

Alternate logo

Alternate logo

Tulsa had been mentioned as a possible future city for WNBA expansion, but efforts did not come together until the middle of 2009. An organizing committee with Tulsa businessmen and politicians began the effort to attract an expansion team. The group was originally given a September 1 deadline. WNBA President Donna Orender extended that deadline to sometime in October. The investment group hired former University of Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson as the potential franchise general manager and head coach. This move was viewed as strange by some, considering that Tulsa hadn't even secured a franchise before hiring a coach. The investors claimed it was to show the league they were serious about wanting a team. On October 15, 2009, the group made its official request to join the league.

On October 20, 2009, WNBA President Donna Orender, lead investors Bill Cameron and David Box, Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor, Oklahoma governor Brad Henry, and head coach Nolan Richardson were present for a press conference announcing that the Detroit Shock would relocate to Tulsa. On January 23, 2010, the franchise announced that the team will remain as the Shock. The colors are now black, red, and gold.

Tough times (2010–present)

File:Tulsa Shock uniform 2011.jpg

Current home uniform

The Shock team that moved to Tulsa was much different than what investors thought they were purchasing. Detroit's four best players did not make the move to Tulsa. Cheryl Ford decided to sit out due to lingering injuries. Taj McWilliams-Franklin signed a free agent contract with New York. Deanna Nolan decided to take time off from playing in the WNBA, perhaps for good. Katie Smith, whom was believed to be contracted with the Shock (which only turned out to be a verbal agreement), signed with Washington.

Along with all the absences, new head coach and general manager Nolan Richardson had his own ideas about what he wanted his roster to look like. By the middle of the 2010 season, there were no Detroit players left on his team. The Shock finished with an awful 6-28 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2002 in Detroit. Having such a bad record meant the Shock qualified for the draft lottery, and they were awarded the number two pick in the 2011 Draft.

The Shock selected 19-year-old Australian center Liz Cambage with hopes to build a successful team around her. The team also signed veteran and one of the original WNBA players, Sheryl Swoopes. The roster changes were not enough, however, and after the team started the season with a dreadful 1-10 record, head coach Richardson stepped down. Assistant coach Teresa Edwards took his place on an interim basis. Things did not improve for the Shock, who entered the All-Star break with a 1-14 record.

Uniforms

• Detroit: White with the team's logo of the stylized Detroit Shock name, in black and blue, over a WNBA basketball at home. Blue with the word "Detroit" across the front for the road jersey.
• Tulsa: Gold with team logo of stylized Tulsa Shock, in black and gold at home. Black with the word "Tulsa", in gold, diagonally in the front for the road jersey.

Players

Current roster

Dallas Wings roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Weight DOB From Yrs F 25 Billings, Monique 6' 4" (1.93m) 192 lb (87kg) 1996-05-02 UCLA 6 C 21 Brown, Kalani 6' 7" (2.01m) 245 lb (111kg) 1997-03-21 Baylor 4 G/F 18 Brown, Jaelyn  6' 1" (1.85m) 170 lb (77kg) 1998-10-12 California R F 6 Howard, Natasha 6' 2" (1.88m) 165 lb (75kg) 1991-09-02 Florida State 10 F/C 28 Kuier, Awak (S) 6' 4" (1.93m) 168 lb (76kg) 2001-08-19 Finland 2 G Leite, Carla (DP) 5' 9" (1.75m) 2004-04-16 France G 8 Lopez Sénéchal, Lou 6' 1" (1.85m) 155 lb (70kg) 1998-05-12 Connecticut R C 7 McCowan, Teaira 6' 7" (2.01m) 239 lb (108kg) 1996-09-28 Mississippi State 5 G 24 Ogunbowale, Arike 5' 8" (1.73m) 165 lb (75kg) 1997-03-02 Notre Dame 5 F 0 Sabally, Satou  6' 4" (1.93m) 175 lb (79kg) 1998-04-25 Oregon 4 G 4 Sheldon, Jacy 5' 10" (1.78m) 140 lb (64kg) 2000-08-23 Ohio State R F 20 Siegrist, Maddy  6' 2" (1.88m) 175 lb (79kg) 2000-05-22 Villanova 1 G 2 Sims, Odyssey 5' 8" (1.73m) 155 lb (70kg) 1992-07-13 Baylor 10 C 10 Soares, Stephanie 6' 6" (1.98m) 196 lb (89kg) 2000-04-17 Iowa State R G 1 Uzun, Sevgi 5' 10" (1.78m) 141 lb (64kg) 1997-11-25 Turkey R	Head coach Latricia Trammell (East Central) Assistant coaches Brandi Poole (Sewanee) Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) Zak Buncik (UT Arlington) Athletic trainer Branay Hicks (UT Tyler) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured   WNBA roster page
East ATL CHI CON IND NY WAS West DAL LV LA MIN PHO SEA

Former players

• Jennifer Azzi (1999)
• Carla Boyd (1998–1999, 2001)
• Kara Braxton (2005–2010), now a member of the New York Liberty
• Sandy Brondello (1998–1999), now an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Sparks
• Dominique Canty (1999–2002), now a member of the Chicago Sky
• Swin Cash (2002–2007), now a member of the Seattle Storm
• Barbara Farris (2000–2005, 2009)

  

  The BOK Center, home of the Shock

• Cheryl Ford (2003–2008)
• Alexis Hornbuckle (2008–2010), now a member of the Minnesota Lynx
• Tasha Humphrey (2008)
• Shannon Johnson (2007)
• Marion Jones (2010–2011)
• Taj McWilliams-Franklin (2008–2009), now a member of the Minnesota Lynx
• Astou Ndiaye-Diatta (1999–2003)
• Deanna Nolan (2001–2009)
• Wendy Palmer (1999–2002)
• Plenette Pierson (2005–2010), now a member of the New York Liberty
• Elaine Powell (2002–2008)
• Ruth Riley (2003–2006), now a member of the San Antonio Silver Stars
• Scholanda Robinson (2010), now a member of the San Antonio Silver Stars
• Katie Smith (2005–2009), now a member of the Seattle Storm
• Shavonte Zellous (2009–2010), now a member of the Indiana Fever

Coaches and staff

Owners

• William Davidson, owner of the Detroit Pistons (1998–2009)
• Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, composed of Bill Cameron and David Box (majority owners), and Chris Christian, Pat Chernicky, Sam and Rita Combs, Pat and Don Hardin, Paula Marshall, Stuart and Linda Price, and Katie and Scott Schofield (2010–present)

Head coaches

Tulsa Shock head coaches

Name Start End Seasons Regular season Playoffs W L PCT G W L PCT G Nancy Lieberman January 12, 1998 August 28, 2000 3 46 48 .489 94 0 1 .000 1 Greg Williams September 20, 2000 June 19, 2002 2 10 32 .238 42 0 0 .000 0 Bill Laimbeer June 19, 2002 July 15, 2009 8 137 93 .596 230 27 16 .628 43 Rick Mahorn July 15, 2009 end of 2009 1 17 13 .567 30 3 2 .600 5 Nolan Richardson September 29, 2009 July 8, 2011 2 7 38 .156 45 0 0 .000 0 Teresa Edwards July 8, 2011 Current 1 0 9 .000 9 0 0 .000 0

General managers

• Nancy Lieberman (1998–2000)
• Greg Williams (2000–2002)
• Bill Laimbeer (2002–2009)
• Cheryl Reeve (2009)
• Nolan Richardson (2010–2011)
• Teresa Edwards (2011–present)

Assistant coaches

• Steve Smith (1998–2001)
• Greg Williams (1998–2000)
• Tom Cross (2001–2002)
• Frank Schneider (2002)
• Laurie Byrd (2003–2005)
• Pam McGee (2003)
• Korie Hlede (2004)
• Rick Mahorn (2005–2009)
• Cheryl Reeve (2006–2009)
• Tammy Bagby (2010)
• Wayne Stehlik (2010–2011)
• Teresa Edwards (2011)
• Kathy McConnell-Miller (2011–present)
• Tracy Murray (2011–present)

Hall of Famers

• Nancy Lieberman, enshrined 1996
• Lynette Woodard, enshrined 2004

Media coverage

For up-to-date media coverage information, see 2011 Tulsa Shock season.

Currently, some Shock games are broadcast on The Cox Channel (CST), which is a local television station for certain areas of the state of Oklahoma. More often than not, NBA TV will pick up the feed from the local broadcast, which is shown nationally. The broadcasters for the Shock games are Mike Wolfe and Shanna Crossley.

All games (excluding blackout games, which are available on ESPN3.com) are broadcast to the WNBA LiveAccess game feeds on the league website. Furthermore, some Shock games are broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The WNBA has reached an eight year agreement with ESPN, which will pay right fees to the Shock, as well as other teams in the league.

All-time notes

Regular season attendance

• A sellout for a basketball game at The Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit) is 22,076.
• A sellout for a basketball game at BOK Center (Tulsa) is 17,839.

Regular season all-time attendance

Detroit Shock Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA game average 1998 10,229 (6th) 16,246 7,102 0 153,434 10,869 1999 8,485 (9th) 12,378 6,771 0 135,753 10,207 2000 6,716 (13th) 10,147 4,480 0 107,449 9,074 2001 6,834 (14th) 13,378 4,013 0 109,348 9,105 2002 5,886 (16th) 10,893 3,315 0 94,171 9,228 2003 7,862 (9th) 12,414 3,532 0 133,647 8,826 2004 9,462 (4th) 14,435 6,542 0 160,860 8,589 2005 9,374 (3rd) 14,932 5,635 0 159,356 8,172 2006 9,643 (1st) 12,985 6,932 0 163,924 7,476 2007 9,749 (1st) 14,109 7,421 0 165,738 7,819 2008 9,569 (1st) 15,210 6,842 0 162,669 7,948 2009 8,011 (5th) 14,439 5,239 0 136,184 8,029 Tulsa Shock Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA game average 2010 4,812 (11th) 7,806 3,333 0 81,811 7,834 2011 4,902 (12th) 7,509 3,970 0 in progress 7,892

Draft picks

• 1998 Expansion Draft: Rhonda Blades (1), Tajama Abraham (3), Tara Williams (5), Lynette Woodard (7)
• 1998: Korie Hlede (4), Rachael Sporn (14), Gergana Branzova (24), Sandy Brondello (34)
• 1999: Jennifer Azzi (5), Val Whiting (17), Dominique Canty (29), Astou Ndiaye-Diatta (41)
• 2000: Edwina Brown (3), Tamicha Jackson (8), Chevonne Hammond (44), Cal Bouchard (60)
• 2001: Deanna Nolan (6), Jae Kingi (22), Svetlana Volnaya (38), Kelly Santos (54)
• 2002: Swin Cash (2), Lanae Williams (18), Ayana Walker (20), Jill Chapman (21), Kathy Wambe (22), Ericka Haney (47)
• 2003 Miami/Portland Dispersal Draft: Ruth Riley (1)
• 2003: Cheryl Ford (3), Kara Lawson (5), Syreeta Bromfield (28)
• 2004 Cleveland Dispersal Draft: Jennifer Rizzotti (13)
• 2004: Iciss Tillis (11), Shereka Wright (13), Erika Valek (23), Jennifer Smith (32)
• 2005: Kara Braxton (7), Dionnah Jackson (13), Nikita Bell (20), Jenni Lingor (33)
• 2006: Ambrosia Anderson (17), Zane Teillane (35)
• 2007 Charlotte Dispersal Draft: selection waived
• 2007: Ivory Latta (11)
• 2008: Alexis Hornbuckle (4), Tasha Humphrey (11), Olayinka Sanni (18), Natasha Lacy (28), Valeriya Berezhynska (42)
• 2009 Houston Dispersal Draft: selection waived
• 2009: Shavonte Zellous (11), Brittany Miller (18), Tanae Davis-Cain (37)
• 2010 Sacramento Dispersal Draft: Scholanda Robinson (7)
• 2010: Amanda Thompson (19), Vivian Frieson (31)
• 2011: Liz Cambage (2), Kayla Pedersen (7), Italee Lucas (21), Chastity Reed (25)

Trades

• July 29, 1999: The Shock traded Korie Hlede and Cindy Brown to the Utah Starzz in exchange for Wendy Palmer and Olympia Scott-Richardson.
• April 24, 2000: The Shock traded Jennifer Azzi and the 12th pick in the 2000 Draft to the Utah Starzz in exchange for the third and eighth picks in the 2000 Draft.
• April 20, 2001: The Shock traded Val Whiting to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
• April 24, 2001: The Shock traded Anna DeForge to the Houston Comets in exchange for Jennifer Rizzotti.
• May 13, 2001: The Shock traded Tamicha Jackson to the Portland Fire in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
• May 27, 2001: The Shock traded Jennifer Rizzotti to the Cleveland Rockers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
• May 27, 2001: The Shock traded Olympia Scott-Richardson and a third-round pick in the 2002 Draft to the Indiana Fever in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
• May 3, 2002: The Shock traded Claudia das Neves to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2003 Draft.
• May 11, 2002: The Shock traded a fourth-round pick in the 2003 Draft to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for Stacy Clinesmith.
• July 7, 2002: The Shock traded Wendy Palmer and a second-round pick in the 2003 Draft to the Orland Miracle in exchange for Elaine Powell and a first-round pick in the 2003 Draft.
• April 27, 2003: The Shock traded Dominique Canty to the Houston Comets in exchange for Allison Curtin.
• April 28, 2003: The Shock traded Edwina Brown and Lanae Williams to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Telisha Quarles and Petra Ujhelyi.
• April 29, 2003: The Shock traded Kara Lawson to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for Kendra Holland-Corn.
• May 19, 2003: The Shock traded a third-round pick in the 2004 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tamara Moore.
• July 31, 2003: The Shock traded Tamara Moore to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Stacey Thomas.
• February 11, 2004: The Shock traded Kendra-Holland Corn and the 26th pick in the 2004 Draft to the Houston Comets in exchange for the 11th and the 32nd picks in the 2004 Draft.
• April 17, 2004: The Shock traded Shereka Wright, Sheila Lambert and Erika Valek to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Chandi Jones.
• April 14, 2005: The Shock traded Iciss Tillis to the Washington Mystics in exchange for the 13th pick in the 2005 Draft.
• June 29, 2005: The Shock traded Andrea Stinson and a second-round pick in the 2006 Draft to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Plenette Pierson.
• July 30, 2005: The Shock traded Chandi Jones, Stacey Thomas, and a first-round pick in the 2006 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Katie Smith and a second-round pick in the 2006 Draft.
• April 5, 2006: The Shock traded Ambrosia Anderson and a second-round pick in the 2007 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Jacqueline Batteast and a third-round pick in the 2007 Draft.
• May 18, 2006: The Shock traded two third-round picks in the 2007 Draft to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Angelina Williams.
• February 22, 2007: The Shock traded Ruth Riley to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Katie Feenstra and the right to swap first-round picks in the 2008 Draft.
• February 6, 2008: The Shock traded Ivory Latta to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for LaToya Thomas and the 18th pick in the 2008 Draft.
• February 19, 2008: The Shock traded Swin Cash to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the fourth pick in the 2008 Draft.
• June 22, 2008: The Shock traded LaToya Thomas to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Eshaya Murphy.
• August 12, 2008: The Shock traded Eshaya Murphy, Tasha Humphrey, and a second-round pick in the 2009 Draft to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Taj McWilliams-Franklin.
• April 9, 2009: The Shock traded Ashley Shields to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for the 18th pick in the 2009 Draft.
• April 7, 2010: The Shock traded the seventh pick in the 2010 Draft and a second-round pick in the 2011 Draft to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Chante Black and Amber Holt.
• April 14, 2010: The Shock traded Crystal Kelly to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Shanna Crossley.
• May 27, 2010: The Shock traded Shavonte Zellous to the Indiana Fever in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2011 Draft.
• June 14, 2010: The Shock traded Plenette Pierson to the New York Liberty in exchange for Tiffany Jackson.
• July 22, 2010: The Shock traded Kara Braxton to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Nicole Ohlde and a first-round pick in the 2011 Draft.
• July 26, 2010: The Shock traded Alexis Hornbuckle to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Rashanda McCants.
• February 1, 2011: The Shock traded a second-round pick in the 2012 Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Andrea Riley.
• May 2, 2011: The Shock traded Scholanda Robinson to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for second- and third-round picks in the 2012 Draft.

All-Stars

• 1999: Sandy Brondello
• 2000: Wendy Palmer
• 2001: None
• 2002: None
• 2003: Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
• 2004: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
• 2005: Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Ruth Riley
• 2006: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith
• 2007: Kara Braxton, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
• 2008: No All-Star Game
• 2009: Katie Smith
• 2010: None
• 2011: Liz Cambage

Honors and awards

• 1998 All-WNBA Second Team: Cindy Brown
• 2003 Finals MVP: Ruth Riley
• 2003 Rookie of the Year: Cheryl Ford
• 2003 Coach of the Year: Bill Laimbeer
• 2003 All-WNBA Second Team: Swin Cash
• 2003 All-WNBA Second Team: Cheryl Ford
• 2003 All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2004 All-WNBA Second Team: Swin Cash
• 2005 All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2006 Finals MVP: Deanna Nolan
• 2006 All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2006 All-Defensive Second Team: Cheryl Ford
• 2006 All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2007 All-Star Game MVP: Cheryl Ford
• 2007 Sixth Woman of the Year: Plenette Pierson
• 2007 All-Defensive First Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2008 Finals MVP: Katie Smith
• 2008 All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2008 All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2008 All-Defensive Second Team: Katie Smith
• 2009 All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2009 All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
• 2009 All-Rookie Team: Shavonte Zellous

External links

• Template:WNBATeam