Last Updated on July 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penny Taylor | Starter/Star (1.10) | 30.3 | High (1.20) | 13.0 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 58.08 | Operating as an aggressive scoring wing, Taylor became one of Cleveland’s few players capable of stretching defenses off the dribble or from deep. Independent coverage frequently pointed to her rapid adjustment to the WNBA and growing confidence as a featured offensive option despite the club’s struggles. (Basketball Reference) | WNBA Most Improved Player (2002) |
| Chasity Melvin | Starter/Star (1.10) | 33.0 | High (1.20) | 12.5 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 57.55 | Cleveland leaned on Melvin to anchor the paint with physical post defense while carrying a larger scoring burden than in previous years. Reporters regularly highlighted her willingness to battle bigger frontcourts and establish an interior presence on both ends. (Basketball Reference) | — |
| Merlakia Jones | Starter/Star (1.10) | 34.2 | High (1.20) | 12.2 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 56.50 | As the veteran backcourt leader, Jones continued handling late-clock possessions and difficult defensive assignments. Although her shooting efficiency dipped, independent game coverage still described her as Cleveland’s emotional leader and primary creator when possessions tightened. (Basketball Reference) | WNBA All-Star (2002) |
| Ann Wauters | Starter/Star (1.10) | 28.6 | Medium (1.10) | 11.2 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 45.98 | Wauters’ refined footwork and touch around the basket became increasingly important as Cleveland searched for consistent half-court offense. Observers noted that her feel for the game often outweighed her experience level, giving the Rockers a dependable interior option. (Basketball Reference) | — |
| Jennifer Rizzotti | Key Contributor (1.05) | 26.7 | Medium (1.10) | 6.8 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 31.87 | Rather than chasing shots, Rizzotti concentrated on organizing the offense and spacing the floor with timely perimeter shooting. Independent reports consistently emphasized her leadership and decision-making, particularly alongside Cleveland’s younger guards. (Basketball Reference) | — |
| Rushia Brown | Key Contributor (1.05) | 16.7 | Low (1.00) | 4.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 18.48 | Brown filled a defense-first frontcourt role, supplying toughness, rebounding and interior depth whenever the rotation demanded more physical play. Her responsibilities remained focused on screening, finishing close to the rim and protecting the paint. (Basketball Reference) | — |
| Mery Andrade | Key Contributor (1.05) | 20.8 | Low (1.00) | 2.8 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 16.17 | Andrade functioned as a low-usage perimeter defender whose value extended beyond the box score. Contemporary coverage often praised her versatility and willingness to guard multiple positions even while offensive opportunities remained limited. (Basketball Reference) | — |
| Deanna Jackson | Bench (1.00) | 7.9 | Low (1.00) | 3.1 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 10.20 | Jackson saw brief reserve minutes as a rookie forward, showing flashes of athletic finishing around the basket. Independent season-specific reporting on her individual development was limited because she remained outside the regular rotation. | — |
| Brandi McCain | Bench (1.00) | 12.6 | Low (1.00) | 2.7 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 10.60 | McCain was used as an energy guard off the bench, bringing ball pressure and occasional perimeter shooting. Contemporary coverage of her season was limited, with most attention focused on Cleveland’s veteran backcourt. | — |
| Tracy Henderson | Bench (1.00) | 7.5 | Low (1.00) | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 7.00 | Henderson provided emergency frontcourt depth and a physical presence in short appearances. Independent reporting discussing her individual role during the season was scarce. | — |
| Paige Sauer | Bench (1.00) | 7.0 | Low (1.00) | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 6.00 | Sauer appeared only briefly before her release, leaving little independent contemporary analysis beyond transaction reporting. (Wikipedia) | — |
| Lucienne Berthieu | Bench (1.00) | 3.2 | Low (1.00) | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.80 | Berthieu joined the roster during the season as developmental frontcourt depth but received only limited opportunities. Independent coverage focused primarily on her arrival rather than on-court production. (Wikipedia) | — |
| Tricia Bader Binford | Bench (1.00) | 7.3 | Low (1.00) | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 4.80 | Binford served as a reserve guard whose minutes fluctuated throughout the year. Contemporary independent reporting on her individual contributions was limited because she remained outside the primary rotation. | — |
| TOTALS | — | 230.8 | — | 70.2 | 38.3 | 19.1 | 12.2 | 328.20 | Combined regular-season production for all listed Cleveland Rockers players. | WNBA All-Star (2002): 1; WNBA Most Improved Player (2002): 1 |