Last Updated on March 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Portland Fire had a short run in the WNBA, but the franchise still featured several memorable players who helped define the team during its three-season existence from 2000 to 2002. Here are some of the most notable Portland Fire legends.

1. Jackie Stiles

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2001–2002
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Drafted 4th overall in the 2001 WNBA Draft
    • Won WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2001
    • WNBA All-Star in 2001
    • One of the most recognizable players in franchise history
    • Averaged 11.4 points per game across her Portland career

2. Sophia Witherspoon

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000–2001
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • One of the Fire’s top early scorers
    • Averaged 16.8 points per game in the 2000 season
    • Averaged 12.0 points per game in the 2001 season
    • Finished as one of the leading scorers in franchise history
    • Gave Portland a proven veteran scoring presence in its first two seasons

3. Sylvia Crawley

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000–2002
  • Position: Forward-Center
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Played all three seasons of the franchise’s existence
    • Portland’s all-time leader in total points
    • Portland’s all-time leader in total rebounds
    • Averaged 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with the Fire
    • One of the franchise’s most productive frontcourt players

4. Tully Bevilaqua

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000–2002
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Played all three seasons for the Fire
    • Portland’s all-time leader in assists
    • Provided steady backcourt play and defensive energy
    • Averaged 2.6 assists per game with the franchise
    • One of the team’s most durable long-term contributors

5. DeMya Walker

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000–2002
  • Position: Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Played three seasons with the franchise
    • One of Portland’s more reliable interior contributors
    • Averaged 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game with the Fire
    • Finished among the franchise leaders in points and rebounds
    • Helped give Portland continuity across its short history

6. Natalie Williams

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000
  • Position: Center-Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • One of the biggest names to play for the franchise
    • WNBA rebounding champion in 2000
    • All-WNBA First Team in 2000
    • WNBA All-Star in 2000
    • Gave the Fire immediate credibility in their inaugural era, even though her stay was brief

7. Stacey Thomas

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000–2002
  • Position: Guard-Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Played in all three Portland seasons
    • One of the franchise leaders in steals and assists
    • Brought versatility and defensive activity to the lineup
    • Appeared in 96 games for the Fire, one of the highest totals in team history
    • Valuable multi-season contributor during the team’s entire run

8. Alisa Burras

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2000–2002
  • Position: Center
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Played three seasons with the Fire
    • One of the franchise’s more reliable interior players
    • Ranked among the team’s career leaders in rebounds
    • Provided size and inside stability for much of the franchise’s existence

9. Kristin Folkl

  • Years with Portland Fire: 2001–2002
  • Position: Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Strong rebounder during her time in Portland
    • Averaged 6.1 rebounds per game with the Fire
    • Helped strengthen the team’s frontcourt rotation
    • One of the more productive rebounders in franchise history

These players helped shape Portland Fire history, even though the franchise itself was short-lived.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Portland Fire Franchise Index
Basketball-Reference — Jackie Stiles WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — Sophia Witherspoon WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — Sylvia Crawley WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — Tully Bevilaqua WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — DeMya Walker WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — Stacey Thomas WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — Alisa Burras WNBA Stats
Basketball-Reference — Kristin Folkl WNBA Stats
Wikipedia — Natalie Williams