Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Cleveland Rockers 1997 were led by Merlakia Jones, who served as both the team’s primary scorer and playmaker, while Janice Lawrence Braxton anchored the frontcourt with strong rebounding and interior production. Eva Němcová provided additional perimeter scoring to complement the offense. The Rockers relied on balanced contributions, solid rebounding, and disciplined team defense, with multiple veterans sharing key responsibilities across both ends of the floor.

NO. PLAYER POS HT WT DOB COLLEGE
4 Lynette Woodard G 6-0 160 August 12, 1959 Kansas
6 Eva Nemcova F 6-3 178 December 3, 1972
8 Janice Braxton F 6-3 178 June 7, 1962 Louisiana Tech
11 Tina Nicholson G 5-2 146 September 27, 1973 Penn State
13 Isabelle Fijalkowski F-C 6-5 200 May 23, 1972 Colorado
14 Jenny Boucek G 5-8 130 December 20, 1973 Virginia
20 Marcie Alberts G 5-4 April 12, 1975 Ohio State
25 Merlakia Jones G 5-10 147 June 21, 1973 Florida
31 Adrienne Johnson G 5-10 154 February 5, 1974 Ohio State
34 Rushia Brown F 6-2 175 May 5, 1972 Furman University
40 Anita Maxwell F April 7, 1974 New Mexico State
44 Michelle Edwards G 5-9 150 March 6, 1966 Iowa

HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Eva Nemcova Starter/Star (1.10) 33.7 High (1.20) 13.7 3.9 2.4 1.7 57.55 Operated as Cleveland’s primary perimeter scorer, stretching defenses with elite outside shooting while still handling difficult half-court possessions. Contemporary coverage regularly highlighted her calm decision-making and timely scoring during the Rockers’ playoff push, with opponents forced to respect her range well beyond the arc rather than simply loading the paint. (Los Angeles Times) All-WNBA Second Team (1997)
Janice Braxton Starter/Star (1.10) 32.9 High (1.20) 11.5 7.6 2.0 2.5 62.83 Served as Cleveland’s physical interior anchor, setting the tone with rebounding, post defense and veteran toughness. Early-season reporting frequently described the offense running through her on the block, while coaches leaned on her experience to stabilize a first-year roster during difficult stretches. (The Washington Post) None
Isabelle Fijalkowski Starter/Star (1.10) 28.7 High (1.20) 11.9 5.6 2.4 1.2 55.97 Functioned as Cleveland’s skilled two-way center, combining efficient finishing with reliable rim protection. Independent coverage repeatedly emphasized how her size altered opposing offenses, and she remained the focal interior matchup whenever Cleveland faced elite frontcourts. (Los Angeles Times) None
Michelle Edwards Key Contributor (1.05) 31.1 Medium (1.10) 10.2 3.5 4.5 2.0 46.66 Worked as an attacking combo guard whose creation responsibilities increased whenever Cleveland needed another ball-handler. Reporters often noted her ability to break down defenses off the dribble, although consistency remained an ongoing discussion throughout the season. (The Washington Post) None
Lynette Woodard Starter/Star (1.10) 25.4 Medium (1.10) 7.8 4.1 2.4 2.0 39.93 Filled a veteran leadership role, providing steady wing defense and composure rather than dominating possessions. Coverage regularly referenced her professionalism and experience as valuable influences for one of the league’s newest franchises. (The Washington Post) None
Merlakia Jones Bench (1.00) 21.0 Medium (1.10) 8.2 2.9 0.9 0.9 28.82 Brought instant pace and aggressive perimeter defense off the bench, frequently changing games with energy rather than volume scoring. Independent playoff reporting praised her confidence in late-game situations after she delivered one of Cleveland’s biggest postseason baskets. (The Washington Post) None
Rushia Brown Bench (1.00) 18.3 Low (1.00) 6.3 4.0 0.7 1.7 25.40 Provided efficient interior minutes as a reserve, focusing on rebounding, finishing around the basket and defending bigger frontcourt players. Her role centered on maintaining defensive intensity whenever the starting post players rested. (Los Angeles Times) None
Tina Nicholson Key Contributor (1.05) 11.4 Low (1.00) 2.0 0.4 1.8 0.5 9.87 Played limited but purposeful backcourt minutes, primarily keeping the offense organized and applying pressure defensively. Contemporary coverage of her rookie season was limited, with available reporting focusing more on the club’s veteran rotation than her individual development. (Wikipedia) None
Jenny Boucek Bench (1.00) 11.2 Low (1.00) 1.8 1.0 0.9 0.6 8.60 Filled a reserve guard role, valued more for ball movement and practice consistency than offensive production. Independent season-specific coverage was limited, leaving only brief mentions outside game reports. (The Washington Post) None
Adrienne Johnson Bench (1.00) 7.8 Low (1.00) 2.1 0.9 0.4 0.2 7.20 Saw situational minutes as a reserve wing, typically entering to provide energy and defensive depth. Independent reporting on her individual season was sparse, with most coverage concentrating on Cleveland’s established veterans. (The Washington Post) None
Anita Maxwell Bench (1.00) 7.0 Low (1.00) 2.1 1.3 0.9 0.4 9.40 Used primarily in limited reserve appearances while adapting to the professional game. Contemporary independent coverage of her season was scarce, so available analysis comes mainly from game reporting rather than feature journalism. (Wikipedia) None
Marcie Alberts Bench (1.00) 6.0 Low (1.00) 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.4 2.40 Appeared only briefly during the season and had little opportunity to establish a defined role. Independent contemporary reporting was extremely limited beyond roster and game-coverage references. (Wikipedia) None
Team Totals — 223.5 — 85.8 37.5 21.9 14.1 354.63 Eastern Conference contender built around experienced frontcourt play, disciplined half-court execution and dependable perimeter shooting, reaching the postseason in the franchise’s inaugural campaign. None