Last Updated on July 30, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Cheryl Ford Starter/Star (1.10) 28.7 High (1.20) 13.8 11.3 1.4 2.0 75.50 Detroit’s identity started with Ford controlling the paint, and Bill Laimbeer’s club consistently fed off her rebounding and physicality. League coverage regularly praised her relentless work on the glass, culminating in a record-breaking rebounding season that made her the WNBA’s premier interior presence. (Chron) WNBA Rebounding Leader (2006), All-WNBA Second Team (2006), WNBA All-Star (2006), WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2006), NBA Champion (2006)
Deanna Nolan Starter/Star (1.10) 32.1 High (1.20) 13.8 4.5 3.6 1.7 62.83 Nolan operated as Detroit’s primary perimeter creator, blending downhill drives with timely perimeter shooting while defending opposing guards. Writers frequently pointed to her ability to create difficult shots late in possessions, a role that foreshadowed her dominant postseason run. (The Washington Post) WNBA All-Star (2006), WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2006), NBA Champion (2006)
Katie Smith Starter/Star (1.10) 33.5 Medium (1.10) 11.7 2.7 3.3 0.8 44.53 Rather than dominating the ball, Smith thrived as Detroit’s veteran floor spacer and secondary playmaker. Independent reporting highlighted how seamlessly she fit into Laimbeer’s disciplined system, giving the Shock another dependable half-court scoring option without disrupting team chemistry. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA All-Star (2006), NBA Champion (2006)
Swin Cash Starter/Star (1.10) 29.1 Medium (1.10) 10.5 4.9 3.1 0.9 46.08 Cash filled the versatile forward role, often defending the opponent’s toughest wings while initiating transition after rebounds. Her scoring fluctuated, but reporters consistently described her leadership and defensive flexibility as essential to Detroit’s balanced attack. NBA Champion (2006)
Ruth Riley Starter/Star (1.10) 25.8 Medium (1.10) 7.3 4.9 1.5 1.9 37.87 Riley anchored the middle through positioning, rim protection and communication instead of high-volume scoring. Her value was most evident in Detroit’s defensive structure, where she routinely directed coverages and protected the paint. NBA Champion (2006)
Plenette Pierson Bench (1.00) 16.6 Medium (1.10) 6.5 3.9 0.7 0.9 26.62 Pierson gave Detroit a different look off the bench with physical post scoring and relentless energy. Analysts often viewed her as the reserve capable of changing momentum by attacking mismatches inside rather than settling for jumpers. (WNBA) NBA Champion (2006)
Kara Braxton Bench (1.00) 10.6 Low (1.00) 4.3 3.4 0.8 0.6 18.20 Braxton continued developing as an energetic backup centre whose size and athleticism flashed in short stretches. Coverage suggested the coaching staff valued her upside while continuing to refine her decision-making and discipline. NBA Champion (2006)
Kedra Holland-Corn Bench (1.00) 11.8 Low (1.00) 4.1 1.2 1.3 0.8 14.80 Holland-Corn served as a reserve perimeter option who supplied spacing and defensive effort whenever Detroit rotated its backcourt. Contemporary independent coverage of her regular-season role was relatively limited. NBA Champion (2006)
Angelina Williams Bench (1.00) 6.2 Low (1.00) 2.0 0.6 0.6 0.6 7.60 Williams filled an end-of-rotation role focused on energy and defensive activity in limited minutes. Contemporary independent reporting discussing her individual season was limited. NBA Champion (2006)
Elaine Powell Bench (1.00) 10.6 Low (1.00) 1.3 1.2 1.4 0.3 8.40 Powell’s responsibilities centred on organising the second unit and applying backcourt pressure instead of creating offence. Her steady veteran approach gave Detroit dependable depth when called upon. NBA Champion (2006)
Jacqueline Batteast Bench (1.00) 6.7 Low (1.00) 1.4 1.0 0.3 0.2 5.80 Batteast provided developmental frontcourt depth and occasional defensive minutes. Independent coverage specifically focusing on her regular-season contributions was limited. NBA Champion (2006)
Sabrina Palie Bench (1.00) 4.6 Low (1.00) 1.1 0.4 0.5 0.2 4.40 Palie saw brief reserve opportunities as Detroit evaluated backcourt depth during the season. Independent reporting covering her individual role was limited. —
Irina Osipova Bench (1.00) 6.0 Low (1.00) 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 3.00 Osipova made only a handful of appearances, leaving little contemporary independent analysis of her brief stint with Detroit beyond roster coverage. —
TOTALS 217.3 78.8 42.5 18.9 11.7 — Detroit combined elite rebounding, physical interior defence and balanced perimeter play to build one of the WNBA’s deepest rotations, laying the foundation for its 2006 championship run. NBA Champion (2006)

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Deanna Nolan Starter/Star (1.10) 35.7 High (1.20) 17.8 4.1 3.9 1.8 72.07 Detroit’s offensive engine throughout the championship run, Nolan repeatedly broke down set defences with aggressive drives and timely pull-up shooting. National coverage consistently pointed to her shot-making in pivotal Finals moments, and she closed the series with 24 points in the title-clinching Game 5 to earn Finals MVP. (WNBA) WNBA Finals MVP (2006), WNBA Champion (2006), WNBA All-Star (2006), WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2006)
Cheryl Ford Starter/Star (1.10) 28.7 High (1.20) 13.4 10.3 1.2 2.0 70.22 Ford controlled the paint with relentless rebounding and physical interior defence, giving Detroit a consistent possession advantage throughout the playoffs. Reporters covering the Finals repeatedly highlighted her ability to set the tone with second-chance opportunities and rugged post play, especially in decisive games. (WNBA) WNBA Champion (2006), WNBA Rebounding Leader (2006), All-WNBA Second Team (2006), WNBA All-Star (2006), WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2006)
Katie Smith Starter/Star (1.10) 37.1 Medium (1.10) 14.7 2.5 4.0 0.5 52.27 Smith blended elite floor spacing with veteran decision-making, giving Detroit a calming influence whenever opponents loaded up on Nolan. Her 22-point effort in Game 4 shifted the Finals, and postseason coverage praised both her perimeter shooting and leadership. (WNBA) WNBA Champion (2006), WNBA All-Star (2006)
Swin Cash Starter/Star (1.10) 26.5 Medium (1.10) 7.6 6.1 3.2 0.6 42.83 Cash embraced the toughest defensive assignments while helping Detroit push the tempo after rebounds. Even when her jumper wasn’t falling consistently, analysts credited her versatility and competitive edge as essential pieces of the championship formula. WNBA Champion (2006)
Plenette Pierson Bench (1.00) 18.9 Medium (1.10) 8.8 5.4 1.7 1.5 38.28 Pierson gave Detroit an offensive lift off the bench by attacking mismatches inside and bringing a noticeably more physical second-unit presence. Her willingness to score in traffic provided valuable balance whenever the starters rested. WNBA Champion (2006)
Ruth Riley Starter/Star (1.10) 22.5 Medium (1.10) 4.4 3.2 0.5 1.8 23.96 Riley’s value came through positioning, rim protection and defensive communication more than scoring. Coaches and reporters regularly noted how her presence anchored Detroit’s half-court defence against elite post players during the title run. WNBA Champion (2006)
Kara Braxton Bench (1.00) 12.3 Low (1.00) 5.0 2.8 0.6 1.2 19.20 Braxton supplied energetic frontcourt minutes and embraced a physical role against opposing reserve bigs. Her athleticism flashed throughout the playoffs, though Detroit mainly relied on her to maintain intensity rather than carry offensive possessions. WNBA Champion (2006)
Irina Osipova Bench (1.00) 12.9 Low (1.00) 2.3 1.0 1.2 0.7 10.40 Osipova filled a complementary reserve role, moving the ball willingly and giving Detroit additional size in short stretches. Contemporary independent coverage of her playoff contributions was limited. WNBA Champion (2006)
Angelina Williams Bench (1.00) 4.2 Low (1.00) 1.7 0.7 0.0 0.5 5.80 Williams appeared sparingly, primarily providing energy and defensive depth when Detroit adjusted its rotation. Independent playoff reporting focused very little on her individual role. WNBA Champion (2006)
Kedra Holland-Corn Bench (1.00) 4.1 Low (1.00) 0.0 0.4 0.6 0.1 2.20 Holland-Corn’s postseason role was limited to brief reserve backcourt minutes. Contemporary independent coverage specifically discussing her playoff performances was limited. WNBA Champion (2006)
Jacqueline Batteast Bench (1.00) 2.3 Low (1.00) 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.60 Batteast saw only occasional minutes as developmental frontcourt depth during the championship run. Contemporary independent reporting on her playoff appearances was limited. WNBA Champion (2006)
TOTALS 205.2 75.7 36.1 17.5 10.2 — Detroit’s championship run was built on Nolan’s elite shot creation, Ford’s dominance on the glass and a deep, physical rotation that consistently overwhelmed opponents with defence, rebounding and balanced scoring. WNBA Champion (2006)