Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The 2002 Miami Sol featured Sheri Sam as the primary scoring option, supported by balanced contributions from Debbie Black, Sandy Brondello, and the frontcourt. The team emphasized ball movement and perimeter shooting, while Black anchored the defense and playmaking with elite passing and disruptive perimeter defense. Miami paired a solid defensive profile with careful ball handling, but below-average scoring efficiency and limited rebounding made consistent offense difficult to sustain.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Sheri Sam Starter/Star [1.1] 33.5 High [1.2] 14.5 4.8 2.6 2.4 63.89 Two-way wing who carried a major workload for the expansion Storm, Sam was valued for her defensive pressure and ability to create offense without dominating possessions. Her 2.2 steals per game reflected the disruptive style that made her one of the league’s better perimeter defenders, while her scoring came through drives, transition attacks, and improved outside shooting. WNBA All-Star (2002)
Betty Lennox Key Contributor [1.05] 22.3 High [1.2] 11.9 2.8 1.8 1.2 45.56 Explosive scoring guard who provided instant offense off the bench after arriving in Seattle, Lennox attacked aggressively and gave the Storm a needed shot creator. Her willingness to fire from three-point range (5.0 attempts per game) showed the confidence coaches had in her scoring ability despite an inconsistent shooting season. WNBA All-Star (2001)
Sandy Brondello Starter/Star [1.1] 25.4 Medium [1.1] 8.8 1.4 1.5 1.0 37.18 Veteran perimeter scorer who stretched defenses with her shooting, Brondello served as a stabilizing presence in Seattle’s rotation. Reporters often highlighted her international experience and professionalism, with her ability to space the floor helping balance the team’s attack even when her overall efficiency fluctuated. Olympic Bronze Medalist (2000), WNBA All-Star (1999)
Pollyanna Johns Kimbrough Starter/Star [1.1] 25.8 Medium [1.1] 7.0 4.5 1.0 1.4 35.09 Interior contributor who gave Seattle physicality around the basket, Johns Kimbrough provided efficient scoring through post touches and offensive rebounding. Her .523 shooting percentage reflected a role built around finishing rather than volume creation, and coaches relied on her toughness in frontcourt matchups. WNBA Champion (2000)
Debbie Black Starter/Star [1.1] 28.1 Low [1.0] 4.8 3.8 4.3 2.0 32.78 Defensive-minded point guard who controlled games with ball pressure and playmaking, Black remained one of the WNBA’s most respected perimeter defenders. Her reputation came from forcing turnovers and setting the defensive tone, with her 1.8 steals and 4.3 assists per game capturing a role built around disruption and organization. WNBA All-Defensive Team (2001), WNBA All-Star (2001)
Ruth Riley Key Contributor [1.05] 20.0 Low [1.0] 5.7 3.5 1.0 2.0 25.62 Mobile shot-blocking center who was still developing her professional game, Riley gave Seattle a defensive anchor whenever she entered the rotation. Her 1.6 blocks per game showed the timing and length that made her a future elite rim protector, while her offense remained focused on efficient interior finishes. WNBA Champion (2003), Rookie of the Year (2001), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Kristen Rasmussen Key Contributor [1.05] 21.7 Low [1.0] 5.5 3.8 1.3 1.1 24.57 Versatile frontcourt reserve who earned minutes through smart positioning and efficient finishing, Rasmussen rarely forced plays and contributed within the flow of the offense. Her strong shooting percentages showed a role centered on converting opportunities created by Seattle’s primary scorers. —
Vanessa Nygaard Key Contributor [1.05] 15.3 Low [1.0] 4.1 2.3 0.3 0.4 14.91 Experienced perimeter player who supplied spacing and toughness in limited minutes, Nygaard’s role focused on defending wings and knocking down open attempts. Her 37.5% three-point shooting gave the Storm another floor spacer in lineups needing additional shooting. —
Tamara Moore Bench [1.0] 16.6 Low [1.0] 5.6 1.4 2.0 1.4 20.80 Young guard who showed flashes as a secondary creator, Moore provided energy and attacking instincts during a small sample of games. Her ability to handle the ball and pressure opposing guards stood out more than her shooting numbers during her limited opportunities. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2003)
Lindsey Yamasaki Bench [1.0] 9.8 Low [1.0] 3.5 1.0 0.6 0.4 11.00 Perimeter shooter used in a specialist role, Yamasaki gave Seattle spacing with confident three-point shooting. Her .529 three-point percentage came on limited attempts, but it reflected the shooting skill that kept her in the rotation when the team needed perimeter offense. —
Iziane Castro Marques Bench [1.0] 9.6 Low [1.0] 3.5 0.9 0.4 0.4 10.40 Young Brazilian wing learning the professional game, Castro Marques was primarily used as a developmental scorer. Her athletic tools and willingness to attack hinted at future growth, though her limited minutes reflected a player still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the WNBA. —
Claudia Neves Bench [1.0] 9.7 Low [1.0] 1.9 0.4 1.3 0.4 8.00 Backup guard who provided ball-handling and connective playmaking, Neves filled a low-usage role focused on keeping the offense organized. Her limited scoring responsibility matched a role centered more around facilitating possessions than creating shots. —
Marlies Askamp Bench [1.0] 12.0 Low [1.0] 1.8 1.8 0.5 0.4 9.00 Reserve center who contributed brief minutes in the frontcourt, Askamp’s role was mainly situational. She provided size and rebounding support but did not receive enough playing time to establish a larger offensive presence. —
Trisha Stafford-Odom Bench [1.0] 6.3 Low [1.0] 1.3 1.0 0.3 0.2 6.00 End-of-rotation forward who provided depth in limited appearances, Stafford-Odom’s minutes were primarily used to maintain frontcourt coverage. Her impact came through effort plays rather than offensive involvement. —
Carolyn Moos Bench [1.0] 3.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.00 Deep reserve center who saw minimal court time, Moos was primarily retained as frontcourt depth rather than a regular rotation contributor. Her small sample size makes evaluating her role difficult beyond providing size and practice competition. —
Seattle Storm Totals – – – 92.0 31.2 20.4 15.3 345.76 Team statistical totals based on listed player averages. Seattle’s rotation was built around perimeter defense, transition opportunities, and a balanced scoring attack led by Sheri Sam, with veterans and developing players filling specialized roles. WNBA Champion (2004)