The 2001 Houston Comets were powered by the veteran trio of Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, and Cynthia Cooper, who carried the scoring load while contributing across rebounding, playmaking, and defense. Dawn Staley directed the offense as the primary facilitator, giving the team another experienced leader. Houston’s balanced attack, efficient scoring, strong rebounding, and disciplined defense reflected the depth and versatility of its accomplished core.
With Cynthia Cooper retired and Sheryl Swoopes sidelined by injury, Thompson became Houston’s unquestioned first option. Opposing defenses loaded up on her every night, but she still carried the scoring burden while anchoring the frontcourt and keeping the Comets in the playoff race. (The Washington Post)
WNBA All-Star (2001); All-WNBA First Team (2001)
Janeth Arcain
Starter/Star
36.1
High
18.5
4.3
2.9
2.0
73.39
Arcain blossomed into a featured scorer rather than a complementary wing, attacking confidently off the dribble and in transition. Houston Press and league observers viewed her breakout as the biggest positive from a difficult season, with her expanded offensive role earning league-wide recognition. (Houston Press)
WNBA Most Improved Player (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Coquese Washington
Starter/Star
31.7
Medium
5.3
3.7
3.8
2.5
36.30
Thrust into the starting point guard role after Houston lost both Cooper and Swoopes, Washington prioritized ball movement and perimeter defense over shot creation. Van Chancellor frequently praised the way role players adapted as the roster changed dramatically. (The Washington Post)
None
Tiffani Johnson
Starter/Star
21.0
Low
4.6
4.3
0.7
0.9
23.10
Johnson handled the physical work inside, setting hard screens, rebounding and defending opposing post players. Her offensive role stayed modest, but her interior presence became increasingly important as Houston leaned on a more balanced attack. (Texas State Historical Association)
None
Amanda Lassiter
Key Contributor
19.2
Low
4.3
3.4
1.1
1.2
20.16
The rookie was asked to contribute sooner than expected because of Houston’s injuries. Independent preseason coverage identified her as a player competing for significant wing minutes, and she gradually became part of the regular rotation.
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Trisha Stafford-Odom
Bench
12.2
Low
3.8
2.8
0.5
0.5
15.20
Stafford-Odom provided instant energy off the bench, attacking the offensive glass and supplying physical play in limited stretches. Her willingness to embrace a reserve role helped stabilize Houston’s second unit.
None
Tammy Jackson
Bench
13.8
Low
3.3
2.8
0.7
1.0
15.60
Jackson continued to give Houston reliable frontcourt depth, bringing toughness around the rim and defensive effort whenever extra size was needed. Her role remained focused on defense rather than offensive production.
None
Tynesha Lewis
Bench
14.4
Low
3.3
2.1
0.5
0.5
12.80
Lewis supplied athletic scoring bursts from the perimeter and gradually earned rotational trust. Limited contemporary reporting was available, but her shooting gave Houston another option after losing two franchise stars.
None
Elena Shakirova
Bench
7.8
Low
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
6.80
Limited contemporary independent coverage was available. Shakirova filled reserve frontcourt minutes and provided experienced depth behind Houston’s primary interior rotation.
None
Kelley Gibson
Bench
10.3
Low
1.6
1.0
0.5
0.5
7.20
Limited contemporary independent coverage was available. Gibson worked as a reserve wing whose opportunities fluctuated as Houston searched for consistent perimeter production.
None
Nekeshia Henderson
Bench
7.8
Low
1.1
0.9
1.0
0.3
6.60
Henderson served as reserve backcourt depth during a season reshaped by injuries. Independent reporting on her individual role was limited beyond her providing additional ball-handling options.
None
Houston Comets Totals
211.0
65.6
32.4
15.4
11.0
Despite losing Cynthia Cooper to retirement before the season and Sheryl Swoopes to a preseason ACL injury, Houston regrouped behind Tina Thompson and Janeth Arcain to reach the playoffs for a fifth straight year before its championship streak ended against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Thompson carried Houston’s offense throughout the series, attacking from the elbows and drawing extra defensive attention after her regular-season breakout. Even in defeat, she remained the focal point of every Sparks defensive game plan as the Comets struggled to replace their championship-era firepower. (wnba.com)
WNBA All-Star (2001); All-WNBA First Team (2001)
Janeth Arcain
Starter/Star
35.5
High
14.5
5.5
2.5
1.0
61.78
Arcain stayed aggressive as Houston’s secondary scorer, creating offense off the dribble when possessions stalled. Independent coverage throughout the season consistently praised her expanded offensive responsibilities after the departures and injuries that reshaped the Comets’ roster. (The Washington Post)
WNBA Most Improved Player (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Tiffani Johnson
Starter/Star
35.5
Medium
9.0
8.5
1.5
1.5
49.13
Johnson gave Houston valuable interior resistance by battling Lisa Leslie in the paint and controlling the defensive glass. Her physical approach helped keep the Comets competitive despite their offensive inconsistency against the eventual champions. (wnba.com)
None
Amanda Lassiter
Key Contributor
27.0
Medium
9.5
4.5
0.0
1.5
35.42
The rookie wing supplied needed perimeter scoring and wasn’t hesitant to take open shots in high-pressure moments. Her willingness to stretch the floor reflected the confidence Houston’s coaching staff gradually developed in her during the season. (The Washington Post)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Coquese Washington
Starter/Star
37.0
Low
3.5
4.5
2.5
1.0
25.30
Washington’s primary responsibility was organizing the offense while defending opposing guards rather than looking for her own scoring. Houston relied on her composure and defensive effort even as the Sparks disrupted the Comets’ half-court execution.
None
Tammy Jackson
Bench
15.0
Low
4.0
3.0
0.0
2.0
18.00
Jackson brought energy off the bench, attacking rebounds and protecting the rim whenever Houston needed additional size. Her physical minutes reflected the Comets’ effort to match Los Angeles inside.
None
Kelley Gibson
Bench
11.5
Low
3.5
1.5
0.0
0.5
11.00
Gibson filled a supporting perimeter role and knocked down timely baskets when called upon. Contemporary independent coverage of her postseason role was limited beyond providing wing depth in Houston’s shortened rotation.
None
Trisha Stafford-Odom
Bench
8.0
Low
2.0
1.5
0.5
2.0
12.00
Stafford-Odom supplied hustle plays and defensive energy in limited opportunities. Her playoff minutes were brief, but she consistently embraced a physical, low-usage reserve role.
None
Tynesha Lewis
Bench
3.0
Low
0.0
0.0
1.0
0.0
2.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff reporting was available. Lewis saw only spot minutes as Houston relied heavily on its veteran rotation during the postseason.
None
Elena Shakirova
Bench
1.0
Low
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff reporting was available. She appeared only briefly as Houston shortened its bench against Los Angeles.
None
Nekeshia Henderson
Bench
1.0
Low
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Limited contemporary independent playoff reporting was available. Henderson’s postseason role was confined to emergency backcourt depth.
None
Houston Comets Totals
210.5
61.0
35.0
11.5
10.0
Houston’s championship run ended in a first-round sweep by the eventual WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks, with Tina Thompson and Janeth Arcain carrying the offensive burden after a season transformed by Cynthia Cooper’s retirement and Sheryl Swoopes’ injury.
