The Utah Starzz leaned on a balanced frontcourt in 1998, with Wendy Palmer, Margo Dydek, and Elena Baranova providing the bulk of the scoring, rebounding, and interior presence. Dydek anchored the defense with elite shot-blocking, while Baranova added versatile playmaking for a post player and Chantel Tremitiere handled much of the backcourt creation. Despite solid rebounding and rim protection, inconsistent offensive efficiency and defensive play contributed to a difficult season.
Operated as Utah’s most versatile frontcourt player, initiating offense from the high post while protecting the rim on the other end. Independent coverage emphasized that her passing and international pedigree made her the centerpiece of the Starzz after earning World Championship acclaim the previous year, even though injuries interrupted her season. (deseret.com)
WNBA All-Star (1998)
Margo Dydek
Starter/Star (1.1)
28.0
High (1.2)
12.9
7.6
1.8
4.3
70.22
Anchored the defense with elite rim protection, forcing opponents to rethink drives into the paint. Local reporting frequently highlighted her record-setting shot blocking and credited her size with giving Utah an identity despite another difficult season in the standings. (deseret.com)
WNBA Blocks Leader (1998); WNBA Blocks Per Game Leader (1998); WNBA All-Star (1998)
Wendy Palmer
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.2
High (1.2)
13.5
6.6
1.1
0.8
58.61
Continued to shoulder much of Utah’s interior scoring, thriving through strength and relentless work around the basket. Even after roster changes and a coaching switch, she remained one of the club’s most dependable offensive options according to season coverage. (deseret.com)
Tammi Reiss
Starter/Star (1.1)
21.7
Medium (1.1)
6.5
1.8
2.2
0.5
26.62
Filled a stabilizing backcourt role, balancing ball movement with perimeter shooting whenever Utah needed offensive structure. Reports following Frank Layden’s arrival noted how her timely outside shooting fit the team’s faster style late in the season. (deseret.com)
Kim Williams
Key Contributor (1.05)
18.1
Medium (1.1)
7.6
1.9
1.5
1.6
29.10
Brought energy and athleticism off the wing, attacking in transition while taking on difficult perimeter defensive assignments. She became an important complementary scorer during Utah’s improved stretches after the coaching change.
Chantel Tremitiere
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.3
Medium (1.1)
5.5
2.2
3.6
0.9
28.24
Directed the offense as the primary playmaker, pushing tempo and creating opportunities for Utah’s frontcourt. Independent reporting regularly praised her leadership and ability to organize a young roster despite inconsistent offensive production.
LaTonya Johnson
Bench (1.0)
17.5
Low (1.0)
5.4
1.9
0.7
0.4
16.80
Earned a larger role through defensive effort and straight-line attacking rather than shot creation. Her career-best performances came after the midseason coaching change, reflecting growing confidence within the rotation.
Fran Harris
Bench (1.0)
19.6
Low (1.0)
3.9
2.2
1.7
0.8
17.20
Added veteran experience on the perimeter before being released later in the season as Utah reshaped its roster. Contemporary reporting viewed her as short-term depth rather than a long-term rotation fixture. (Wikipedia)
Olympia Scott
Bench (1.0)
16.1
Low (1.0)
5.3
2.9
0.8
1.1
20.20
Supplied physical frontcourt minutes and brought activity around the rim whenever Utah looked for additional rebounding. Limited independent player-specific coverage was available beyond game reporting.
Dena Head
Bench (1.0)
15.6
Low (1.0)
3.6
1.7
1.2
1.0
15.00
Worked as a dependable reserve guard whose experience helped steady Utah’s second unit. Season coverage consistently referenced her professionalism during another rebuilding campaign.
Tricia Bader Binford
Bench (1.0)
9.4
Low (1.0)
2.1
0.5
0.9
0.6
8.20
Saw limited reserve opportunities while providing perimeter depth. Limited contemporary independent reporting was available regarding her individual role.
Erin Alexander
Bench (1.0)
5.7
Low (1.0)
1.4
0.3
0.3
0.1
4.20
Appeared sparingly as a developmental guard during Utah’s rotation adjustments. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available for her season.
TOTALS
—
255.8
—
80.4
37.9
18.7
14.3
368.57
Utah improved slightly after Frank Layden replaced Denise Taylor, with Elena Baranova and Margo Dydek forming one of the league’s most distinctive frontcourts while the club continued building around its international talent and interior defense.
WNBA All-Star (1998) ×2; WNBA Blocks Leader (1998); WNBA Blocks Per Game Leader (1998)
