Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Yolanda Griffith Starter/Star 28.3 High 13.8 6.6 1.5 2.1 63.10 Sacramento still built its identity around Griffith’s interior defense and physicality. Opposing coaches regularly planned around her presence in the paint, while Associated Press coverage throughout the season described her as the emotional leader of another Finals-bound Monarchs team. (seattlepi.com) WNBA All-Star (2006); All-WNBA Second Team (2006); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2006); Western Conference Champion (2006)
DeMya Walker Starter/Star 27.2 High 14.1 5.3 2.2 1.9 61.51 Walker quietly became Sacramento’s most efficient interior scorer, giving the Monarchs another dependable option alongside Griffith. Her return from maternity leave restored toughness and frontcourt balance, something local and national coverage frequently identified as a major boost during the playoff push. (OurSports Central) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Nicole Powell Starter/Star 29.1 High 10.7 3.6 1.8 1.6 46.99 Powell embraced the stretch-forward role that modernized Sacramento’s offense. Her outside shooting opened driving lanes for teammates, and during the Finals she showed she could erupt offensively when defenses collapsed on Griffith, earning praise for her confidence in big moments. (seattlepi.com) Most Improved Player (2005); Western Conference Champion (2006)
Rebekkah Brunson Key Contributor 21.2 Medium 7.8 5.5 0.5 1.2 34.65 Brunson supplied relentless rebounding and energy off the bench before growing into a larger frontcourt role. Reporters covering Sacramento consistently pointed to her willingness to battle for second-chance opportunities and defend multiple interior matchups. (deseret.com) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Ticha Penicheiro Starter/Star 27.3 Medium 5.7 2.9 4.4 1.6 35.82 Penicheiro remained the organizer of Sacramento’s offense, sacrificing scoring to keep teammates involved. Her tempo control and passing were repeatedly credited for helping the Monarchs rank among the league’s most disciplined teams despite several roster changes. (deseret.com) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Kara Lawson Key Contributor 21.2 Medium 8.0 1.4 1.5 0.6 26.80 Lawson thrived as Sacramento’s instant-offense guard, spacing the floor with confident perimeter shooting. Her Game 1 Finals explosion against Detroit illustrated the scoring punch she could provide without disrupting the Monarchs’ balanced offensive structure. (seattlepi.com) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Chelsea Newton Starter/Star 21.0 Low 4.4 1.9 1.6 1.0 19.58 Newton’s value extended well beyond her scoring. She routinely accepted the toughest perimeter defensive assignments, allowing Sacramento’s scorers to conserve energy while maintaining the aggressive defensive identity that defined the club. (Wikipedia) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Kristin Haynie Bench 14.5 Low 3.5 2.1 1.4 1.1 16.20 Haynie settled into a reliable reserve point guard role, bringing defensive pressure and steady ball handling whenever Penicheiro rested. Coverage throughout the year highlighted her growing confidence directing the second unit. (OurSports Central) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba Bench 12.0 Low 3.8 2.0 0.9 0.9 15.20 Maiga-Ba filled an energy role on the wing, providing athletic defense and transition activity rather than high-volume scoring. Her versatility gave John Whisenant another dependable option in defensive lineups. (Wikipedia) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Erin Perperoglou Bench 9.1 Low 3.3 1.3 0.6 0.9 12.20 Limited independent coverage exists for Perperoglou’s individual season because she played a reserve role. When called upon, she provided efficient finishing around the basket and dependable frontcourt depth.
Olympia Scott Bench 9.4 Low 2.1 1.8 0.3 0.3 9.00 Scott was used sparingly in the frontcourt rotation, with most contemporary reporting focusing on Sacramento’s established core. She primarily supplied size and experience in short relief appearances.
Miao Lijie Bench 7.5 Low 1.7 0.2 0.7 0.4 6.00 Miao’s opportunities were limited during her first WNBA season, leaving relatively little independent game coverage. Sacramento viewed her as a developmental guard with international experience who could contribute in spot minutes.
Sui Feifei Bench 4.8 Low 1.4 0.2 0.6 0.0 4.40 Feifei appeared only briefly, and contemporary reporting on her individual performances was scarce. Her roster spot nevertheless reflected Sacramento’s willingness to expand its international talent pipeline.
Sacramento Monarchs Totals 84.9 35.4 19.5 13.7 The Monarchs reached the 2006 WNBA Finals behind another elite defensive system, balanced scoring and experienced leadership, finishing as Western Conference champions. Western Conference Champion (2006)

Playoffs

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Yolanda Griffith Starter/Star 30.8 High 17.3 8.3 1.4 1.8 75.50 Sacramento again leaned on Griffith as the centerpiece of its half-court offense and defensive backbone. Associated Press playoff coverage repeatedly highlighted how opponents struggled to match her physical interior play, while her leadership remained central to another deep postseason run. (Chron) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Nicole Powell Starter/Star 32.1 High 11.0 2.5 1.9 1.0 43.82 Powell functioned as the Monarchs’ floor-spacing forward, stretching defenses with timely three-point shooting. During the Finals she ignited key scoring runs from the perimeter, giving Sacramento an offensive dimension that complemented its inside-first attack. (Wikipedia) Western Conference Champion (2006)
DeMya Walker Key Contributor 27.5 Medium 10.2 3.0 3.5 0.5 39.50 Walker’s versatility became especially valuable in the postseason. She defended multiple frontcourt matchups while handling extra playmaking responsibilities, allowing Sacramento to maintain offensive balance whenever defenses crowded Griffith. (Chron) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Ticha Penicheiro Starter/Star 27.0 Medium 5.3 4.0 5.2 1.2 37.99 Rather than hunting shots, Penicheiro orchestrated nearly every half-court possession. Her passing and tempo control helped Sacramento produce crisp ball movement, including a franchise playoff-record 24 assists in the conference semifinals. (Chron) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Kara Lawson Key Contributor 26.0 Medium 11.3 3.6 2.3 1.1 42.50 Lawson embraced the sixth-player scoring role and changed games with perimeter shooting. Her six three-pointers in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals established a Finals record and demonstrated how quickly she could swing momentum off the bench. (Wikipedia) Western Conference Champion (2006)
Rebekkah Brunson Starter/Star 24.3 Medium 6.9 5.5 1.3 1.1 35.33 Brunson supplied relentless rebounding and defensive energy, often doing the physical work that freed Sacramento’s veterans to stay aggressive. Her 14-point playoff performance against Houston reflected her growing importance within the rotation. Western Conference Champion (2006)
Chelsea Newton Starter/Star 22.8 Low 5.8 1.8 1.0 0.3 19.14 Newton’s offensive numbers stayed modest, but her value came from perimeter defense and matchup flexibility. Sacramento consistently trusted her with difficult defensive assignments against opposing guards throughout the postseason. Western Conference Champion (2006)
Kristin Haynie Bench 12.9 Low 2.3 1.8 1.0 1.0 12.20 Haynie brought steady ball handling and defensive pressure in reserve minutes. While her postseason opportunities were limited, she provided reliable relief whenever Penicheiro rested and helped maintain Sacramento’s defensive intensity. Western Conference Champion (2006)
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba Bench 10.3 Low 3.8 1.6 0.5 1.0 13.80 Maiga-Ba filled an athletic defensive role, supplying energy on the wing and helping Sacramento switch across multiple positions. Independent playoff coverage focused more on the core rotation, leaving relatively little player-specific reporting on her contributions. Western Conference Champion (2006)
Olympia Scott Bench 5.4 Low 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.1 6.20 Scott appeared only in short reserve stretches, so contemporary postseason coverage was limited. Her role centered on experienced frontcourt depth behind Sacramento’s established playoff rotation.
Sacramento Monarchs Totals 75.2 31.8 22.8 10.1 The Monarchs reached the 2006 WNBA Finals behind elite interior defense, disciplined ball movement and balanced scoring before finishing as Western Conference champions. Western Conference Champion (2006)