Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The 2009 Detroit Shock leaned on Deanna Nolan as their primary offensive threat, combining scoring, playmaking, and perimeter shooting to lead the backcourt. Plenette Pierson provided efficient interior scoring and rebounding, while Taj McWilliams-Franklin anchored the frontcourt with strong rebounding and defensive presence. Detroit relied on balanced contributions, physical defense, and solid rebounding, but inconsistent offensive efficiency and outside shooting limited the team’s overall production.
Roster
| NO. | PLAYER NAME | POS | HT | WT | BIRTH DATE | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shavonte Zellous | G | 5-10 | 188 | August 28, 1986 | Pitt |
| 4 | Kristin Haynie | G | 5-9 | 147 | June 17, 1983 | Michigan State |
| 6 | Nikki Teasley | G | 6-0 | 169 | March 22, 1979 | UNC |
| 9 | Sherill Baker | G | 5-8 | 125 | December 3, 1982 | Georgia |
| 11 | Kelly Schumacher | C | 6-5 | 183 | October 14, 1977 | UConn |
| 14 | Deanna Nolan | G-F | 5-9 | 147 | August 25, 1979 | Georgia |
| 20 | Tanae Davis-Cain | G | 5-11 | June 7, 1987 | Florida State | |
| 22 | Alexis Hornbuckle | G | 5-10 | 164 | October 16, 1985 | Tennessee |
| 23 | Plenette Pierson | F | 6-2 | 195 | August 31, 1981 | Texas Tech |
| 24 | Olayinka Sanni | F-C | 6-2 | 200 | August 21, 1985 | West Virginia |
| 30 | Katie Smith | G | 5-11 | 175 | June 4, 1974 | Ohio State |
| 31 | Anna DeForge | G | 5-10 | 160 | April 14, 1976 | Nebraska |
| 33 | Britany Miller | C | 6-4 | August 10, 1987 | Florida State | |
| 35 | Cheryl Ford | F | 6-3 | 195 | June 6, 1981 | Louisiana Tech |
| 42 | Crystal Kelly | F | 6-2 | 201 | September 15, 1986 | Western Kentucky |
| 44 | Taj McWilliams-Franklin | F-C | 6-2 | 195 | October 20, 1970 | Georgia State University, St. Edward’s University |
| 45 | Kara Braxton | C-F | 6-6 | 225 | February 18, 1983 | Georgia |
| 54 | Barbara Farris | F-C | 6-3 | 200 | September 10, 1976 | Tulane |
Regular Season Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deanna Nolan | 29 | 33 | 33 | 33.7 | 16.9 | 4.3 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 15.9 | 6.5 | .408 | 3.7 | 1.2 | .325 | 3.5 | 2.8 | .784 | |
| Katie Smith | 35 | 27 | 27 | 33.1 | 13.7 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 10.9 | 4.7 | .435 | 4.9 | 2.1 | .432 | 2.3 | 2.1 | .918 | |
| Shavonte Zellous | 22 | 34 | 4 | 23.6 | 11.9 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 3.5 | .397 | 1.4 | 0.4 | .306 | 5.3 | 4.6 | .856 | |
| Taj McWilliams-Franklin | 38 | 34 | 34 | 30.4 | 9.8 | 6.6 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 8.3 | 4.1 | .491 | 0.4 | 0.1 | .200 | 2.0 | 1.5 | .750 | |
| Cheryl Ford | 28 | 29 | 29 | 26.0 | 8.6 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 7.8 | 3.3 | .427 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 3.4 | 1.9 | .550 | |
| Kara Braxton | 26 | 28 | 2 | 18.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 7.2 | 3.8 | .527 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 | .645 | ||
| Alexis Hornbuckle | 23 | 32 | 21 | 26.6 | 6.7 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 2.5 | .380 | 2.0 | 0.8 | .391 | 1.5 | 0.8 | .542 | |
| Shavonte Zellous | 22 | 34 | 4 | 23.6 | 11.9 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 3.5 | .397 | 1.4 | 0.4 | .306 | 5.3 | 4.6 | .856 | |
| Janeth Arcain | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28.0 | 10.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 8.9 | 3.9 | .440 | 1.2 | 0.3 | .273 | 3.0 | 2.7 | .894 | |
| Sheryl Swoopes | 26 | 9 | 0 | 14.3 | 7.1 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 5.9 | 2.8 | .472 | 1.8 | 0.4 | .250 | 1.6 | 1.1 | .714 | |
| Sherill Baker | 26 | 1 | 0 | 11.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | .667 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.000 | ||
| Kim Perrot | 30 | 28 | 24 | 24.7 | 5.8 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 5.8 | 2.1 | .364 | 3.5 | 1.0 | .283 | 1.3 | 0.5 | .405 | |
| Monica Lamb | 33 | 30 | 25 | 21.6 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 2.2 | .541 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .690 | ||
| Olayinka Sanni | 23 | 31 | 1 | 9.6 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 1.5 | .480 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.8 | .694 | ||
| Nikki Teasley | 30 | 11 | 7 | 20.2 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 1.4 | .385 | 2.7 | 0.9 | .333 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.000 | |
| Crystal Kelly | 22 | 11 | 0 | 7.6 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.7 | .364 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 1.4 | .833 | ||
| Kristin Haynie | 26 | 20 | 2 | 8.1 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.9 | .425 | 0.7 | 0.2 | .231 | 0.5 | 0.4 | .778 | |
| Tanae Davis-Cain | 22 | 1 | 0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | .200 | 3.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 | |
| Barbara Farris | 32 | 13 | 3 | 8.5 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | .222 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | .813 | ||
| Anna DeForge | 33 | 7 | 7 | 16.1 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.7 | .278 | 0.6 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||
| Britany Miller | 21 | 1 | 0 | 8.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||
| Kelly Schumacher | 31 | 1 | 0 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||||
| Plenette Pierson | 27 | 1 | 0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||
| Team Totals |
Playoff Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deanna Nolan | 29 | 5 | 5 | 38.0 | 21.6 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 19.6 | 7.8 | .398 | 5.6 | 1.8 | .321 | 4.6 | 4.2 | .913 | |
| Shavonte Zellous | 22 | 5 | 0 | 29.0 | 15.6 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 13.6 | 4.8 | .353 | 3.4 | 1.4 | .412 | 5.4 | 4.6 | .852 | |
| Alexis Hornbuckle | 23 | 5 | 5 | 35.4 | 10.6 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 9.0 | 4.4 | .489 | 1.8 | 0.6 | .333 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.000 | |
| Kara Braxton | 26 | 5 | 0 | 19.2 | 9.6 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 7.4 | 4.0 | .541 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 1.6 | .571 | ||
| Cheryl Ford | 28 | 5 | 5 | 29.6 | 7.8 | 10.0 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 3.6 | 5.8 | 2.6 | .448 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 2.6 | .813 | ||
| Taj McWilliams-Franklin | 38 | 5 | 5 | 26.8 | 7.6 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 5.6 | 3.6 | .643 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.000 | 0.4 | 0.2 | .500 | |
| Nikki Teasley | 30 | 5 | 5 | 16.6 | 4.8 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 3.6 | 1.6 | .444 | 2.0 | 0.8 | .400 | 1.2 | 0.8 | .667 | |
| Olayinka Sanni | 23 | 3 | 0 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 1.7 | .625 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||
| Crystal Kelly | 22 | 3 | 0 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.000 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deanna Nolan | Starter/Star (1.1) | 33.7 | High (1.2) | 16.9 | 4.3 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 69.17 | Detroit’s offensive centerpiece carried the toughest scoring burden while often defending opposing lead guards. After battling injuries early, she regained form late in the season, with Rick Mahorn calling her the key to the Shock’s offense as Detroit surged into the playoffs. (Are You Watching This?) | All-WNBA Second Team (2009), All-Star (2009) |
| Katie Smith | Starter/Star (1.1) | 33.1 | High (1.2) | 13.7 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 51.48 | Smith remained the veteran floor spacer and late-clock decision maker, balancing perimeter shooting with leadership for a roster adjusting to a coaching change. When Nolan missed time, Associated Press coverage regularly highlighted Smith’s expanded scoring responsibility. (The Washington Post) | All-Star (2009) |
| Taj McWilliams-Franklin | Starter/Star (1.1) | 30.4 | Medium (1.1) | 9.8 | 6.6 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 50.09 | McWilliams-Franklin anchored Detroit’s interior with smart positioning and efficient finishing rather than high-volume scoring. Coaches leaned on her experience to stabilize a team that dealt with injuries and transition throughout the year. (WNBA) | — |
| Cheryl Ford | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.0 | Medium (1.1) | 8.6 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 43.08 | Ford continued setting the physical tone inside, controlling the glass and creating second-chance opportunities even while her offensive role declined. Opposing coaches still treated her rebounding as one of Detroit’s biggest strengths. (NBA Stats) | — |
| Shavonte Zellous | Key Contributor (1.05) | 23.6 | Medium (1.1) | 11.9 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 41.58 | Zellous emerged as Detroit’s breakout rookie scorer by attacking aggressively off the dribble instead of settling for jumpers. WNBA rookie rankings consistently praised her offensive confidence, and Rick Mahorn encouraged her to keep hunting shots despite the team’s uneven season. (WNBA) | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009) |
| Kara Braxton | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.0 | Low (1.0) | 9.0 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 37.38 | Braxton supplied valuable frontcourt production off the bench with efficient post scoring and rebounding. Her physical style gave Detroit needed interior depth whenever Ford or McWilliams-Franklin rested. | — |
| Alexis Hornbuckle | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.6 | Low (1.0) | 6.7 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 34.76 | Hornbuckle’s offensive numbers remained modest, but her defensive pressure and rebounding from the guard spot made her indispensable. Detroit consistently trusted her to disrupt opposing backcourts while pushing the pace in transition. | — |
| Nikki Teasley | Key Contributor (1.05) | 20.2 | Low (1.0) | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 17.22 | Teasley arrived late in the season and immediately added experienced ball handling to Detroit’s rotation. Her value came from organizing the offense rather than scoring, giving the backcourt another steady veteran presence. | — |
| Olayinka Sanni | Bench (1.0) | 9.6 | Low (1.0) | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 13.40 | Sanni filled an energy role as a reserve forward, contributing hustle plays and efficient finishing in limited minutes. Independent season coverage remained limited because she stayed outside the primary rotation. (Stats Crew) | — |
| Kristin Haynie | Bench (1.0) | 8.1 | Low (1.0) | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 9.60 | Haynie provided reserve point guard depth before departing during the season. Independent reporting focused more on Detroit’s roster adjustments than her individual contributions. (Wikipedia) | — |
| Crystal Kelly | Bench (1.0) | 7.6 | Low (1.0) | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 10.00 | Kelly joined late in the year to reinforce the frontcourt after injuries depleted Detroit’s depth. Contemporary coverage of her individual role was limited. | — |
| Barbara Farris | Bench (1.0) | 8.5 | Low (1.0) | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 7.00 | Farris supplied experienced depth in short frontcourt stretches, primarily defending and rebounding when called upon. Independent reporting discussing her role was limited. | — |
| Anna DeForge | Bench (1.0) | 16.1 | Low (1.0) | 1.4 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 12.60 | DeForge’s season was shortened, leaving little opportunity to establish a consistent role. Most independent coverage centered on Detroit’s injury issues rather than her individual play. | — |
| Sherill Baker | Bench (1.0) | 11.0 | Low (1.0) | 7.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 20.00 | Baker appeared only briefly but brought her trademark defensive pressure whenever she saw the floor. Contemporary independent coverage was extremely limited because of her single appearance. | — |
| Kelly Schumacher | Bench (1.0) | 10.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.00 | Schumacher’s role was confined to emergency frontcourt depth, and little independent reporting discussed her individual contributions before she departed the roster. | — |
| Britany Miller | Bench (1.0) | 8.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.00 | Miller made only a brief appearance before leaving the roster, resulting in almost no independent season coverage of her on-court role. | — |
| Plenette Pierson | Bench (1.0) | 5.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 4.00 | Shoulder surgery effectively ended Pierson’s season after she had been expected to anchor Detroit’s bench scoring. Her absence significantly reduced the Shock’s frontcourt depth. | — |
| Tanae Davis-Cain | Bench (1.0) | 4.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.00 | Davis-Cain appeared only briefly before exiting the roster. Independent reporting on her contributions was extremely limited because of her short stay. | — |
| TEAM TOTALS | — | 327.5 | — | 99.2 | 50.1 | 24.1 | 15.7 | 442.38 | Detroit remained competitive despite injuries, Bill Laimbeer’s midseason resignation and major roster disruption, relying on veteran leadership from Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith and Taj McWilliams-Franklin before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. | Eastern Conference Finalist (2009) |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deanna Nolan | Starter/Star (1.1) | 38.0 | High (1.2) | 21.6 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 75.40 | Detroit’s offense revolved around Nolan creating shots against loaded defenses, and she responded by attacking relentlessly despite heavy pressure from Indiana’s perimeter defenders. Postseason coverage consistently described her as the player capable of swinging a game on individual shot creation even when the Shock’s half-court offense stalled. (NBA Stats) | All-WNBA Second Team (2009), All-Star (2009) |
| Alexis Hornbuckle | Starter/Star (1.1) | 35.4 | Medium (1.1) | 10.6 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 55.18 | Hornbuckle embraced the all-around role Detroit needed, defending multiple backcourt positions while rebounding well above her position. Although her scoring fluctuated, postseason reports regularly highlighted her defensive activity and willingness to handle difficult assignments throughout the series. (NBA Stats) | — |
| Shavonte Zellous | Key Contributor (1.05) | 29.0 | Medium (1.1) | 15.6 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 58.21 | Coming off the bench, Zellous gave Detroit instant offense with fearless drives and aggressive transition play. Her 19-point performance in the decisive playoff win over Indiana reinforced the confidence Rick Mahorn showed in the rookie during pressure moments. (NBA Stats) | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009) |
| Cheryl Ford | Starter/Star (1.1) | 29.6 | Medium (1.1) | 7.8 | 10.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 49.25 | Ford anchored the paint through rebounding and physical interior defense rather than scoring. Indiana’s game plans repeatedly forced battles around the glass, and she remained Detroit’s primary presence for second-chance opportunities and interior toughness. | — |
| Taj McWilliams-Franklin | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.8 | Medium (1.1) | 7.6 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 36.30 | McWilliams-Franklin quietly stabilized the frontcourt with efficient finishing and veteran positioning. Her experience allowed Detroit to maintain offensive structure when opponents overloaded on Nolan and Zellous. | — |
| Kara Braxton | Key Contributor (1.05) | 19.2 | Low (1.0) | 9.6 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 41.16 | Braxton supplied valuable interior scoring off the bench and consistently gave Detroit a physical lift. Her efficiency around the basket helped the Shock stay competitive whenever the starters rested, particularly against Indiana’s deep frontcourt. | — |
| Nikki Teasley | Starter/Star (1.1) | 16.6 | Low (1.0) | 4.8 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 15.84 | Teasley handled point guard duties with a pass-first approach, prioritizing tempo and ball security over shot volume. Independent game coverage emphasized her role as an experienced organizer rather than a featured scorer. | — |
| Olayinka Sanni | Bench (1.0) | 4.3 | Low (1.0) | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 10.60 | Sanni saw only brief frontcourt minutes but brought energy whenever called upon. Contemporary playoff coverage of her individual role was limited because Detroit relied heavily on its veteran rotation. | — |
| Crystal Kelly | Bench (1.0) | 5.0 | Low (1.0) | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 5.40 | Kelly remained outside the regular playoff rotation and appeared only in limited stretches. Independent postseason reporting discussing her contributions was scarce due to her minimal workload. | — |
| TEAM TOTALS | — | 203.9 | — | 81.2 | 35.3 | 17.1 | 13.0 | 347.34 | Detroit reached the Eastern Conference Finals behind elite shot creation from Deanna Nolan, energetic scoring from Shavonte Zellous and a physical rebounding identity, but Indiana’s disciplined defense ultimately ended the Shock’s final postseason before the franchise relocated. | Eastern Conference Finalist (2009) |