Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The San Antonio Stars built their 2014 season around an experienced core, with Danielle Robinson leading the offense through her playmaking and Sophia Young-Malcolm providing consistent scoring and rebounding in the frontcourt. Kayla McBride emerged as a reliable perimeter scorer, while Becky Hammon added veteran backcourt production. Balanced ball movement and efficient offense were team strengths, although inconsistent defense and rebounding limited the Stars’ overall effectiveness.

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
Danielle Robinson Starter/Star (1.1) 33.1 High (1.2) 12.9 3.5 5.3 1.9 62.30 The offense consistently flowed through Robinson’s pace and downhill penetration, with Dan Hughes relying on her to create early-clock advantages and organize the half court. League coverage regularly highlighted her ability to pressure defenses off the dribble while remaining one of the WNBA’s premier playmakers and perimeter defenders. All-WNBA Second Team (2014); All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
Kayla McBride Starter/Star (1.1) 26.0 High (1.2) 13.0 2.3 1.7 1.1 47.78 Rather than playing like a typical rookie, McBride quickly became San Antonio’s primary floor spacer and late-game scoring option. Independent coverage praised her mature shot selection, confidence coming off screens, and seamless fit beside Danielle Robinson in the backcourt. All-Rookie Team (2014)
Jia Perkins Key Contributor (1.05) 22.6 High (1.2) 12.5 2.3 1.7 1.7 45.86 Perkins filled an instant-offense role after joining the rotation, giving the Stars another aggressive perimeter scorer. Analysts frequently pointed to her ability to change games with quick scoring bursts and veteran shot creation despite coming off the bench for much of the season. None
Danielle Adams Key Contributor (1.05) 20.6 Medium (1.1) 10.9 4.1 0.9 1.3 39.73 Adams supplied physical interior scoring and stretched opposing bigs with her willingness to shoot from outside. Much of the season’s discussion centered on how her unique offensive skill set gave San Antonio a different look whenever the second unit needed scoring. None
Jayne Appel-Marinelli Starter/Star (1.1) 24.8 Medium (1.1) 4.9 7.9 2.1 1.4 39.45 Appel-Marinelli handled the unglamorous work in the frontcourt, setting solid screens, moving the ball, and anchoring the defensive glass. Coverage often emphasized that her value extended well beyond the box score because of her positioning and team-first decision-making. None
Sophia Young-Malcolm Key Contributor (1.05) 24.2 Medium (1.1) 8.2 4.6 1.5 1.3 36.04 Used across both forward spots, Young-Malcolm gave the Stars lineup flexibility with dependable mid-range scoring and experienced defense. Reporters regularly noted that her versatility allowed the coaching staff to adjust matchups throughout games. None
Becky Hammon Starter/Star (1.1) 24.5 Medium (1.1) 8.3 1.4 4.2 0.5 34.85 Hammon’s veteran leadership remained central to San Antonio’s offense, balancing secondary playmaking with timely perimeter shooting. As her celebrated playing career wound down, contemporaneous stories frequently highlighted her influence on teammates and future coaching potential. Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2014)
Shenise Johnson Key Contributor (1.05) 17.9 Low (1.0) 6.0 3.3 1.4 1.1 24.78 Johnson filled a versatile wing role by defending multiple positions and contributing energy in transition. Independent coverage often described her as a valuable connective player whose athleticism helped stabilize different lineup combinations. None
Shameka Christon Bench (1.0) 10.9 Low (1.0) 3.6 1.3 0.2 0.3 10.80 Christon was primarily used for experienced wing depth, defensive assignments, and spot shooting. Contemporary reporting on her season was limited, but available coverage focused on her professionalism and willingness to accept a reduced role. None
Kayla Alexander Bench (1.0) 9.0 Low (1.0) 2.8 2.0 0.2 0.4 10.80 Alexander developed as a reserve center, supplying size around the rim and rebounding in short stretches. Coverage was limited, though observers viewed the season as an opportunity to build experience behind San Antonio’s veteran frontcourt. None
Astou Ndour-Fall Bench (1.0) 4.4 Low (1.0) 2.1 1.1 0.0 0.3 7.00 Ndour-Fall appeared only briefly as a teenage prospect with intriguing length and mobility. Contemporary independent reporting was limited, with most discussion focusing on her long-term upside rather than immediate production. None
Heather Butler Bench (1.0) 3.5 Low (1.0) 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.0 2.20 Butler saw only limited opportunities as a reserve shooter. Independent coverage of her rookie campaign was sparse, generally noting her reputation as an accomplished collegiate scorer adjusting to the professional level. None
Davellyn Whyte Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5 2.00 Whyte made only two appearances, leaving very little independent season coverage to evaluate. The available reporting primarily referenced her depth role and limited chances to crack the regular rotation. None
San Antonio Stars Totals — — — 84.7 31.8 19.9 11.8 363.55 Team finished 16-18, reached the 2014 WNBA Western Conference Semifinals, and combined an efficient guard-driven offense with experienced frontcourt depth, though defensive consistency remained an issue throughout the regular season. Western Conference Semifinalist (2014)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Kayla McBride Starter/Star (1.1) 30.5 High (1.2) 22.5 2.5 0.5 1.0 69.17 The focal scorer throughout the series, McBride attacked confidently off screens and punished every defensive mistake with perimeter shooting or strong finishes. Independent playoff coverage repeatedly highlighted how the rookie embraced primary scoring responsibility even against Minnesota’s veteran defense, validating why San Antonio viewed her as the franchise’s next cornerstone. (MySA) All-Rookie Team (2014)
Danielle Adams Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 High (1.2) 17.5 8.5 1.5 2.0 77.09 Adams gave the Stars a difficult interior matchup by mixing power around the basket with the willingness to stretch opposing centers beyond the arc. Playoff analysis often pointed to her versatility as one of San Antonio’s biggest offensive advantages, even while Minnesota focused heavily on limiting her touches. (MySA) None
Danielle Robinson Starter/Star (1.1) 30.5 High (1.2) 9.5 3.5 6.0 1.0 52.27 Robinson remained the team’s offensive organizer, pushing tempo whenever opportunities appeared while creating shots for teammates against an elite defense. Coverage of the series emphasized that her ball pressure and pace were essential if San Antonio hoped to disrupt Minnesota’s rhythm. (MySA) All-WNBA Second Team (2014); All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
Becky Hammon Starter/Star (1.1) 28.5 Medium (1.1) 14.5 3.5 4.5 1.5 57.11 Hammon balanced secondary playmaking with timely perimeter shooting while directing possessions in what became the final playoff games of her celebrated career. Much of the postseason discussion centered on her leadership and lasting influence as San Antonio’s emotional leader. (MySA) Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2014)
Sophia Young-Malcolm Key Contributor (1.05) 27.0 Medium (1.1) 8.5 5.0 1.5 1.5 38.12 Young-Malcolm filled a versatile forward role by defending multiple matchups and supplying reliable mid-range offense when the Stars needed balance. Her experience was frequently cited as an important stabilizing presence during the series. None
Jia Perkins Key Contributor (1.05) 23.0 Medium (1.1) 12.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 33.50 Perkins came off the bench looking to create instant offense, attacking quickly before Minnesota’s defense became set. Independent reporting regularly described her as San Antonio’s spark scorer whose confidence never changed regardless of role. None
Jayne Appel-Marinelli Starter/Star (1.1) 19.5 Low (1.0) 0.0 5.5 2.0 0.5 17.60 Appel-Marinelli focused almost exclusively on screening, rebounding and interior defensive positioning rather than scoring. Although her offensive production disappeared, postseason observers still noted the value of her physical work against Minnesota’s frontcourt. None
Shenise Johnson Bench (1.0) 8.5 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.5 1.0 0.0 7.00 Johnson saw limited minutes as an athletic reserve wing asked to defend and provide energy. Independent coverage of her playoff role was minimal, with most discussion focusing on lineup depth rather than individual contributions. None
Shameka Christon Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Christon appeared briefly in a reserve role. Contemporary independent playoff coverage specific to her minutes was limited, reflecting her place at the end of the rotation. None
Kayla Alexander Bench (1.0) 1.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Alexander was available as developmental frontcourt depth but saw virtually no meaningful action during the series. Independent reporting offered little player-specific analysis because of her limited workload. None
Astou Ndour-Fall Bench (1.0) 0.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Ndour-Fall did not factor into the playoff rotation. Contemporary independent coverage largely viewed her as a long-term international prospect rather than an immediate postseason contributor. None
San Antonio Stars Totals — — — 86.5 30.5 17.5 7.5 351.86 San Antonio was eliminated in the 2014 Western Conference Semifinals after Minnesota’s experienced core controlled the series, despite standout offensive performances from Kayla McBride and Danielle Adams. WNBA Western Conference Semifinalist (2014)