Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The New York Liberty 1997 relied on Kym Hampton as its primary scoring and rebounding presence, while Teresa Weatherspoon served as the team’s chief playmaker and defensive catalyst from the backcourt. Vickie Johnson and Rebecca Lobo provided additional offensive support and frontcourt production, giving the lineup balanced contributions. The statistics reflect a team built on disciplined ball movement, interior play, and shared responsibility rather than a single dominant offensive option.
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Lobo | Starter/Star [1.1] | 33.5 | High [1.2] | 12.4 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 64.15 | Interior anchor and featured frontcourt option, Lobo gave New York a defensive backbone with rebounding range and elite shot-blocking instincts. Her ability to protect the paint while handling major minutes made her one of the league’s most important two-way pieces during the Liberty’s inaugural season. | WNBA All-Star (1997) |
| Sophia Witherspoon | Starter/Star [1.1] | 31.0 | High [1.2] | 14.5 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 57.82 | A primary scoring wing who stretched defenses with perimeter shooting, Witherspoon carried a large offensive workload and provided transition pressure. Reporters viewed her as one of New York’s main shot creators because she combined three-point range with aggressive drives. | WNBA All-Star (1997) |
| Teresa Weatherspoon | Starter/Star [1.1] | 33.0 | High [1.2] | 7.0 | 4.1 | 6.2 | 3.1 | 53.86 | The floor general of the Liberty, Weatherspoon controlled tempo through ball pressure, passing vision, and late-game decision making. Her defensive intensity and leadership qualities were central to New York’s identity, especially as the team built around toughness and execution. | WNBA All-Star (1997) |
| Kym Hampton | Key Contributor [1.05] | 23.7 | Low [1.0] | 9.8 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 40.11 | Veteran interior presence who supplied efficient scoring, rebounding, and defensive activity in a reserve role. Hampton’s experience allowed New York to maintain stability when rotating through its frontcourt combinations. | — |
| Vickie Johnson | Starter/Star [1.1] | 30.3 | Medium [1.1] | 9.6 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 39.73 | Athletic perimeter contributor who handled major defensive assignments while providing secondary creation. Johnson’s versatility helped balance the lineup because she could defend multiple positions and contribute without needing plays designed specifically for her. | — |
| Sue Wicks | Bench [1.0] | 11.9 | Low [1.0] | 3.6 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 18.40 | Experienced frontcourt reserve who brought physical defense, rebounding, and toughness in limited minutes. Wicks gave the Liberty another reliable interior option during a season when depth was important. | — |
| Kisha Ford | Bench [1.0] | 16.9 | Low [1.0] | 4.1 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 15.80 | Young rotation guard who provided energy off the bench and showed flashes as a perimeter defender. Her role was primarily supportive, with New York using her athleticism in short bursts. | — |
| Trena Trice | Bench [1.0] | 12.1 | Low [1.0] | 4.8 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 15.80 | Reserve forward who made an impact through efficient interior scoring and physical play. Trice’s limited role focused on finishing possessions and providing frontcourt depth rather than creating offense. | — |
| Rhonda Blades | Bench [1.0] | 10.4 | Low [1.0] | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 10.60 | Depth guard used mainly for perimeter minutes, Blades contributed occasional playmaking while adapting to the demands of the new league environment. | — |
| Jasmina Perazic-Gipe | Bench [1.0] | 5.2 | Low [1.0] | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 6.00 | Veteran reserve whose limited appearances reflected a reduced role late in her career. Her value came more from experience and leadership than statistical production. | — |
| Cassandra Crumpton-Moorer | Bench [1.0] | 5.5 | Low [1.0] | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 5.00 | Short-term depth player who appeared in limited minutes and had a small statistical role within the rotation. | — |
| Totals | Team | — | — | 70.8 | 35.7 | 18.6 | 14.4 | 332.96 | New York Liberty 1997 regular season roster impact summary. The team was built around interior defense, perimeter toughness, and veteran leadership while establishing its identity in the WNBA’s first season. | — |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kym Hampton | Starter/Star [1.1] | 32.5 | High [1.2] | 13.5 | 13.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 75.24 | Veteran interior force who controlled the paint for New York during the postseason, Hampton’s rebounding presence and efficient finishing gave the Liberty a stabilizing frontcourt option in a physical playoff environment. | — |
| Rebecca Lobo | Starter/Star [1.1] | 34.0 | High [1.2] | 12.5 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 67.32 | Defensive anchor and offensive focal point inside, Lobo’s playoff role centered on rim protection, rebounding, and creating second-chance opportunities. Her ability to alter shots allowed New York to play a more aggressive defensive style. | WNBA All-Star (1997) |
| Vickie Johnson | Starter/Star [1.1] | 34.0 | High [1.2] | 11.5 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 55.44 | Athletic two-way wing who absorbed difficult defensive assignments while attacking gaps off the dribble. Johnson’s versatility gave New York another reliable scorer when defenses focused heavily on Lobo and Weatherspoon. | — |
| Sophia Witherspoon | Starter/Star [1.1] | 32.5 | High [1.2] | 6.0 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 42.24 | Perimeter creator who remained involved through playmaking and defensive activity despite inconsistent shooting. Witherspoon’s ability to space the floor and pressure opponents defensively was a key part of the Liberty’s rotation. | WNBA All-Star (1997) |
| Teresa Weatherspoon | Starter/Star [1.1] | 37.5 | High [1.2] | 5.0 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 35.64 | Floor leader who dictated New York’s pace with veteran poise, defensive pressure, and half-court organization. Her passing and ball control responsibilities increased in playoff settings, even when her scoring opportunities were limited. | WNBA All-Star (1997) |
| Trena Trice | Bench [1.0] | 8.0 | Low [1.0] | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 13.00 | Reserve forward who provided short bursts of efficient interior scoring and physical play. Trice’s limited minutes were focused on energy, rebounding support, and maintaining frontcourt toughness. | — |
| Sue Wicks | Bench [1.0] | 5.5 | Low [1.0] | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 11.00 | Experienced frontcourt reserve used in small stretches, Wicks contributed defensive toughness and rebounding instincts when New York needed additional size. | — |
| Rhonda Blades | Bench [1.0] | 13.0 | Low [1.0] | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 4.00 | Depth guard who primarily handled limited ball-handling duties during the postseason rotation. Her role was focused on maintaining structure rather than offensive production. | — |
| Kisha Ford | Bench [1.0] | 9.5 | Low [1.0] | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 4.00 | Young reserve guard who contributed energy and defensive activity in brief appearances. Her playoff minutes came mainly as support depth around New York’s veteran core. | — |
| Totals | Team | — | — | 55.0 | 38.5 | 15.0 | 11.0 | 307.88 | New York Liberty 1997 playoff rotation impact summary. The postseason identity was built around interior rebounding, defensive pressure, and veteran decision-making from the team’s core players. | — |