Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The WNBA’s expansion years helped transform the league from a small startup into a nationwide competition filled with emerging franchises and rising stars. Between the late 1990s and mid-2000s, expansion teams such as the Orlando Miracle, Miami Sol, Portland Fire, Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Charlotte Sting, Sacramento Monarchs, Detroit Shock, and others introduced new fan bases while showcasing many of the game’s brightest talents.

Some players became franchise icons from day one, while others turned expansion clubs into championship contenders. These are the greatest stars of the WNBA’s expansion era.

1. Lauren Jackson

Seattle Storm (Expansion Team, 2000)

Seattle’s first true superstar quickly became one of the greatest players in basketball history. Drafted first overall in 2001, Lauren Jackson transformed the Storm into perennial contenders.

Career highlights

  • Three-time MVP
  • Two-time WNBA champion
  • Defensive Player of the Year
  • Hall of Famer

Why she changed Seattle

Jackson turned a young expansion franchise into one of the WNBA’s model organizations.

2. Tamika Catchings

Indiana Fever (Expansion Team, 2000)

Although she missed her first season because of injury, Catchings immediately became the heart and soul of Indiana basketball.

Achievements

  • MVP
  • Five-time Defensive Player of the Year
  • WNBA champion
  • Finals MVP

3. Sue Bird

Seattle Storm

Sue Bird arrived one year after Jackson and formed one of the greatest duos in league history.

Legacy

  • WNBA all-time assists leader
  • Four championships
  • Exceptional leadership
  • Franchise icon

4. Diana Taurasi

Phoenix Mercury

Although Phoenix wasn’t an expansion franchise, Taurasi became one of the defining superstars during the league’s major growth period in the 2000s.

Career accomplishments

  • WNBA all-time leading scorer
  • Three championships
  • MVP
  • Finals MVP

5. Yolanda Griffith

Sacramento Monarchs

Griffith gave Sacramento an identity built around toughness, rebounding, and defense.

Highlights

  • MVP
  • Champion
  • Defensive Player of the Year
  • Finals leader

6. Becky Hammon

New York Liberty / San Antonio Stars

Hammon became one of the greatest undrafted players in league history while helping grow the popularity of skilled point guards.

Known for

  • Elite shooter
  • Outstanding passer
  • Six-time All-Star
  • Future championship coach

7. Swin Cash

Detroit Shock / Seattle Storm

Cash helped establish multiple championship contenders through versatility, defense, and leadership.

Achievements

  • Three-time champion
  • Four-time All-Star
  • Olympic gold medalist

8. Deanna Nolan

Detroit Shock

Nolan’s athleticism and scoring ability powered Detroit’s championship rise.

Strengths

  • Explosive scorer
  • Elite transition player
  • Three-time champion

9. Katie Smith

Detroit Shock

Already an established scorer before joining Detroit, Smith became the veteran leader behind multiple championship teams.

Career highlights

  • Finals MVP
  • Three-time champion
  • Seven-time All-Star

10. Taj McWilliams-Franklin

Orlando Miracle / Connecticut Sun

McWilliams-Franklin became one of the league’s most dependable veterans while helping both Orlando and Connecticut become playoff contenders.

Known for

  • Elite post defense
  • Leadership
  • Longevity
  • Multiple All-Star selections

11. Nykesha Sales

Connecticut Sun (formerly Orlando Miracle)

Sales became the face of the franchise during its transition from Orlando to Connecticut.

Highlights

  • Four-time All-Star
  • Reliable scorer
  • Franchise cornerstone

12. Dawn Staley

Charlotte Sting / Houston Comets

One of the greatest point guards ever, Staley elevated every team she joined through leadership and elite playmaking.

Career profile

  • Multiple All-Star
  • Elite passer
  • Olympic legend
  • Hall of Famer

13. Chamique Holdsclaw

Washington Mystics

Holdsclaw became the Mystics’ first true superstar and helped establish basketball in the nation’s capital.

Achievements

  • Rookie of the Year
  • Six-time All-Star
  • Elite scorer and rebounder

14. Sophia Young-Malcolm

San Antonio Silver Stars

Young quietly developed into one of the league’s most consistent forwards during San Antonio’s rise.

Strengths

  • Efficient scorer
  • Excellent rebounder
  • Multiple All-Star selections

15. Cappie Pondexter

Phoenix Mercury

Pondexter’s speed and offensive creativity helped make Phoenix one of the most exciting teams in league history.

Career highlights

  • Finals MVP
  • Two-time champion
  • Seven-time All-Star

Honorable Mentions

  • Ruth Riley (Detroit Shock)
  • Plenette Pierson (Detroit Shock)
  • Alana Beard (Washington Mystics)
  • Cheryl Ford (Detroit Shock)
  • Ticha Penicheiro (Sacramento Monarchs)
  • Betty Lennox (Seattle Storm)
  • DeMya Walker (Sacramento Monarchs)
  • Ebony Hoffman (Indiana Fever)
  • Kelly Miller (Indiana Fever)
  • Tangela Smith (Charlotte Sting / Phoenix Mercury)

Best Players on Expansion-Era Franchises

Player Expansion Franchise Greatest Achievement
Lauren Jackson Seattle Storm Three-time MVP
Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever MVP and Champion
Sue Bird Seattle Storm Four championships
Yolanda Griffith Sacramento Monarchs MVP and Champion
Becky Hammon San Antonio Stars Six-time All-Star
Swin Cash Detroit Shock Three championships
Deanna Nolan Detroit Shock Three championships
Katie Smith Detroit Shock Finals MVP
Taj McWilliams-Franklin Orlando Miracle / Connecticut Sun Veteran leader
Nykesha Sales Connecticut Sun Franchise icon

Expansion Franchises That Produced Stars

Franchise Notable Stars
Seattle Storm Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird, Betty Lennox
Indiana Fever Tamika Catchings, Kelly Miller, Ebony Hoffman
Detroit Shock Swin Cash, Katie Smith, Deanna Nolan, Cheryl Ford, Ruth Riley
Sacramento Monarchs Yolanda Griffith, Ticha Penicheiro, DeMya Walker
Connecticut Sun Nykesha Sales, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Katie Douglas
San Antonio Stars Becky Hammon, Sophia Young-Malcolm
Washington Mystics Chamique Holdsclaw, Alana Beard
Charlotte Sting Dawn Staley, Tangela Smith

Final Thoughts

The WNBA’s expansion era introduced new cities, passionate fan bases, and many of the league’s most enduring stars. Players like Lauren Jackson, Tamika Catchings, Sue Bird, and Yolanda Griffith became synonymous with their franchises, while championship cores in Detroit, Seattle, and Sacramento demonstrated how quickly expansion teams could become title contenders. Their success helped lay the foundation for the WNBA’s continued growth and set the standard for future expansion franchises.