The 1999 Houston Comets were driven by the elite trio of Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson, who provided the bulk of the team’s scoring while also contributing as playmakers, rebounders, and defenders. Janeth Arcain added reliable perimeter offense, giving Houston outstanding balance across the lineup. The Comets combined efficient scoring, disciplined ball movement, strong rebounding, and disruptive defense, reflecting one of the league’s most complete and well-rounded teams.
Houston’s primary offensive engine, Cooper controlled late-game possessions and dictated tempo with isolation scoring and pick-and-roll creation. Opposing coaches routinely built game plans around limiting her touches, yet she remained the league’s most feared closer while helping stabilize the team through the emotional loss of Kim Perrot. (The Washington Post)
WNBA Finals MVP (1999); All-WNBA First Team (1999); WNBA Player of the Week (2x, 1999); WNBA Champion (1999)
Sheryl Swoopes
Starter/Star
34.4
High
18.3
6.3
4.0
3.8
84.22
Swoopes functioned as Houston’s versatile two-way wing, often taking the toughest defensive assignment while seamlessly shifting between scorer, secondary creator and transition threat. Her all-around impact and defensive versatility were consistently highlighted as central to the Comets’ championship identity. (The Washington Post)
All-WNBA First Team (1999); WNBA Player of the Week (2x, 1999); WNBA Champion (1999)
Tina Thompson
Starter/Star
33.6
Medium
12.2
6.4
0.9
2.0
51.57
Thompson supplied frontcourt spacing and physical interior scoring, giving Houston balance alongside its star backcourt. Writers regularly noted her willingness to defend bigger forwards, run the floor and accept a complementary offensive role without sacrificing efficiency in key moments. (Texas State Historical Association)
All-WNBA Second Team (1999); WNBA Champion (1999)
Polina Tzekova
Starter/Star
24.3
Medium
6.1
5.1
1.0
1.0
31.94
Tzekova filled an understated frontcourt role by providing rebounding, floor spacing and positional versatility. Independent coverage often viewed her as a dependable complementary starter whose willingness to do the less glamorous work fit Van Chancellor’s rotation well.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Sonja Henning
Starter/Star
24.9
Medium
4.0
2.5
2.3
1.3
24.68
After arriving to replace Kim Perrot in the starting lineup, Henning concentrated on organizing the offense and keeping Houston’s stars in rhythm rather than chasing her own scoring. Her steady ball handling helped preserve the team’s structure during a difficult season.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Janeth Arcain
Key Contributor
23.0
Medium
5.8
2.8
1.2
1.0
24.02
Arcain brought instant offense off the bench, attacking gaps decisively and providing needed energy against second units. Her microwave scoring role became an important part of Houston’s deep championship rotation.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Tammy Jackson
Bench
13.6
Low
2.6
3.3
0.3
1.2
14.80
Jackson supplied physical interior minutes, offensive rebounding and rim protection whenever Houston wanted more size. Her willingness to absorb contact and defend post players strengthened the frontcourt rotation.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Monica Lamb
Bench
12.0
Low
4.3
2.0
0.0
0.7
14.00
Limited contemporary independent reporting was available because of her brief stint. In sparse appearances she provided frontcourt depth before Houston leaned on its established championship rotation.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Jennifer Rizzotti
Bench
9.7
Low
1.7
1.1
0.8
0.7
8.60
Rizzotti worked as a reserve point guard whose job centered on pace, ball security and distributing to Houston’s veteran scorers. Independent previews viewed her as part of the competition for minutes behind Sonja Henning.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Amaya Valdemoro
Bench
5.4
Low
2.4
0.8
0.5
0.6
8.60
Valdemoro was a developmental reserve still adjusting to the WNBA game. Limited independent coverage focused more on her long-term potential than her immediate role within Houston’s veteran roster.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Kara Wolters
Bench
4.1
Low
1.6
1.2
0.2
0.1
6.20
Limited contemporary independent coverage was available. Wolters primarily served as emergency frontcourt depth behind one of the league’s deepest rotations.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Mila Nikolich
Bench
4.1
Low
1.4
0.7
0.1
0.0
4.40
Limited contemporary independent reporting was available. Her role was largely confined to short reserve appearances as Houston relied on experienced veterans in meaningful situations.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Nyree Roberts
Bench
4.3
Low
0.3
0.5
0.0
0.0
1.60
Roberts saw only brief action before leaving the roster, and independent coverage of her season was limited. She had little opportunity to establish a consistent rotation role. (Wikipedia)
None
Houston Comets Totals
230.9
97.9
35.5
18.5
14.2
1999 WNBA Champion roster led by the celebrated “Big Three” of Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson, overcoming the emotional loss of Kim Perrot while capturing a third straight title under Van Chancellor.
WNBA Champion (1999); Coach of the Year (Van Chancellor, 1999)
Houston’s unquestioned playoff closer, Cooper carried the offense whenever possessions bogged down, repeatedly creating shots late in the clock while remaining the emotional leader of a team playing through the loss of Kim Perrot. Her command in the Finals was widely credited with steadying the Comets during pressure moments. (wnba.com)
WNBA Finals MVP (1999); WNBA Champion (1999)
Sheryl Swoopes
Starter/Star
36.0
High
14.7
3.7
1.2
2.8
59.14
Rather than hunting points every trip, Swoopes embraced the toughest defensive assignments on the perimeter and frequently shifted between stopper and secondary scorer. Her versatility remained one of the defining reasons Houston could adjust to different playoff matchups. (wnba.com)
WNBA Champion (1999)
Tina Thompson
Starter/Star
34.7
Medium
11.2
5.0
0.7
2.0
45.50
Thompson filled the connective role in Houston’s frontcourt, stretching defenses with her jumper while battling inside for rebounds. Even when her shot cooled, she continued to supply physical defense and dependable minutes throughout the postseason run. (wnba.com)
WNBA Champion (1999)
Tammy Jackson
Bench
19.2
Low
6.2
7.0
0.2
2.4
31.60
Jackson gave Houston valuable interior toughness off the bench, attacking the offensive glass and protecting the rim against larger frontcourts. Her physical style allowed the Comets to maintain their defensive identity whenever the starters rested.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Janeth Arcain
Key Contributor
26.0
Medium
6.3
3.0
1.0
1.2
26.57
Arcain remained Houston’s instant-offense reserve, supplying timely shooting and energetic cuts without disrupting the rhythm of the starting unit. Coaches trusted her to change momentum in short bursts during competitive playoff games.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Polina Tzekova
Starter/Star
21.7
Medium
5.3
3.8
0.3
1.2
25.89
Tzekova quietly handled a complementary frontcourt role, spacing the floor when needed while providing positional rebounding and solid team defense. Her willingness to accept limited touches helped Houston keep its offensive hierarchy intact.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Sonja Henning
Starter/Star
22.7
Low
3.2
3.0
1.8
1.4
20.33
Henning’s playoff responsibility centered on organizing possessions and defending opposing guards instead of generating offense. Her steady decision-making helped Houston avoid unnecessary mistakes during its championship run.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Amaya Valdemoro
Bench
2.0
Low
2.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff coverage was available because of her minimal role. Valdemoro spent the postseason developing behind one of the league’s deepest veteran rotations while gaining championship experience.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Kara Wolters
Bench
2.5
Low
2.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
5.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff coverage was available. Wolters provided emergency frontcourt depth, with Houston relying primarily on its established interior rotation during meaningful playoff minutes.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Mila Nikolich
Bench
2.5
Low
1.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
3.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff reporting was available. Nikolich appeared only briefly as Houston shortened its rotation for postseason play.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Jennifer Rizzotti
Bench
2.5
Low
0.0
0.5
0.5
0.0
2.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff reporting was available. Rizzotti served as reserve backcourt insurance, with Houston leaning heavily on its veteran starters in high-leverage possessions.
WNBA Champion (1999)
Houston Comets Totals
212.5
72.7
31.0
15.5
13.5
The Comets captured their third straight championship by combining Cooper’s late-game shot creation with disciplined team defense and remarkable resilience after dedicating the postseason to teammate Kim Perrot.
