| Isabelle Fijalkowski |
Starter/Star (1.10) |
28.8 |
High (1.20) |
13.7 |
6.9 |
2.1 |
1.6 |
63.10 |
Cleveland’s offense increasingly flowed through its skilled low-post anchor, whose touch around the basket forced double teams while her length anchored the defense. Associated Press coverage during the playoffs highlighted how Phoenix still struggled with her interior scoring even while limiting the rest of the Rockers, underscoring her importance as the club’s primary matchup problem. (Los Angeles Times) |
WNBA Peak Performer (FG%) (1998) |
| Janice Braxton |
Starter/Star (1.10) |
28.0 |
High (1.20) |
9.8 |
5.6 |
2.5 |
2.2 |
52.01 |
The veteran power forward remained the emotional backbone of the frontcourt, doing much of the physical work that allowed Cleveland’s half-court style to succeed. Reporters regularly pointed to her toughness and experience as foundational pieces of the Eastern Conference champions, even in the closing stage of her career. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Eva Nemcova |
Starter/Star (1.10) |
32.4 |
High (1.20) |
11.9 |
3.7 |
2.2 |
1.8 |
51.22 |
Rather than dominating the ball, Nemcova thrived as Cleveland’s spacing weapon, punishing defenses that collapsed into the paint. Independent game coverage repeatedly praised her timely perimeter shooting and smart off-ball movement, making her one of the league’s most reliable complementary scorers. (The Washington Post) |
All-WNBA Second Team (1998); Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Suzie McConnell Serio |
Starter/Star (1.10) |
31.5 |
High (1.20) |
8.6 |
2.2 |
6.4 |
2.0 |
50.69 |
Everything started with the veteran point guard, whose pace control and court vision gave Cleveland one of the WNBA’s most organized offenses. Writers frequently credited her leadership for elevating teammates, while opponents consistently focused on disrupting her passing lanes before worrying about anyone else. (The Washington Post) |
All-WNBA First Team (1998); WNBA Newcomer of the Year (1998); WNBA Sportsmanship Award (1998); Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Merlakia Jones |
Key Contributor (1.05) |
22.8 |
Medium (1.10) |
9.5 |
3.2 |
1.3 |
1.2 |
35.42 |
Jones supplied instant energy whether she started or came off the bench, attacking open lanes instead of settling for jumpers. Midseason reporting noted how her aggressive style changed games, and her breakout performances rewarded the coaching staff’s growing confidence in her role. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Michelle Edwards |
Key Contributor (1.05) |
23.2 |
Medium (1.10) |
7.7 |
2.3 |
2.8 |
1.0 |
31.17 |
Cleveland relied on Edwards to create offense whenever possessions stalled, especially against switching defenses. Although her scoring came in bursts, postseason coverage reflected the trust the coaching staff placed in her ability to manufacture difficult baskets under pressure. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Rushia Brown |
Bench (1.00) |
17.4 |
Low (1.00) |
6.5 |
3.1 |
0.9 |
1.6 |
24.20 |
Brown embraced a physical reserve role built around rebounding, interior defense and efficient finishing near the rim. Contemporary independent coverage of her individual season was fairly limited, but game reports consistently reflected the coaching staff’s willingness to use her against stronger opposing frontcourts. (Los Angeles Times) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Adrienne Johnson |
Bench (1.00) |
11.4 |
Low (1.00) |
4.6 |
1.7 |
0.5 |
0.3 |
14.20 |
Johnson filled short rotation stretches on the wing, usually entering to defend multiple positions and keep the tempo steady. Independent season-specific reporting was limited outside game stories, where her depth value was mentioned more often than individual production. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Tully Bevilaqua |
Bench (1.00) |
11.5 |
Low (1.00) |
1.9 |
0.9 |
2.1 |
1.3 |
12.40 |
The rookie guard carved out minutes through hustle and ball movement rather than scoring. Early coverage suggested coaches appreciated her willingness to push the pace and pressure opposing guards despite a limited offensive workload. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Cindy Blodgett |
Bench (1.00) |
8.4 |
Low (1.00) |
2.9 |
0.6 |
0.8 |
0.4 |
9.40 |
Blodgett’s shooting reputation earned her occasional opportunities, but adjusting to the professional game’s physicality proved challenging. Independent reporting from the season focused more on her long-term potential than immediate offensive impact. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Raegan Pebley |
Bench (1.00) |
7.6 |
Low (1.00) |
1.7 |
1.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
7.20 |
Pebley handled limited reserve duties, providing defensive effort and steady decision-making in brief appearances. Contemporary independent coverage of her rookie season was scarce, leaving game reports as the primary source describing her rotational role. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Tanja Kostic |
Bench (1.00) |
6.0 |
Low (1.00) |
1.0 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.0 |
3.60 |
Kostic appeared only sparingly, making it difficult to establish a consistent place in the rotation. Independent season coverage was very limited, with only brief references appearing in roster and transaction reporting. (The Washington Post) |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
| Team Totals |
— |
239.0 |
— |
78.4 |
30.9 |
24.8 |
12.7 |
354.63 |
Eastern Conference champions built around disciplined half-court execution, veteran leadership and one of the league’s strongest interior duos, reaching the 1998 WNBA Playoffs before falling to Phoenix in the semifinals. |
Eastern Conference Champion (1998) |
