Detroit Shock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Detroit Shock |
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| Conference | Eastern | ||
| Leagues | WNBA | ||
| Founded | 1998 | ||
| History | Detroit Shock (1998–2009) Tulsa Shock (2010–2015) Dallas Wings (2016–present) |
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| Arena | The Palace of Auburn Hills | ||
| Location | Auburn Hills, Michigan | ||
| Team colors | Blue, dark blue, red, silver, white |
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| Championships | 3 (2003, 2006, 2008) | ||
| Conference titles | 4 (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008) | ||
| Uniforms | |||
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The Detroit Shock was a professional basketball team. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
The Shock won three WNBA championships. They were champions in 2003, 2006, and 2008. They were one of the first new teams to join the league in 1998. The Shock was also the first expansion team to win a WNBA Championship.
The team was connected to the Detroit Pistons, a men's basketball team. From 2002 to 2009, Bill Laimbeer, a famous Pistons player, coached the Shock. In October 2009, the team moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It became the Tulsa Shock. Later, it moved again and is now known as the Dallas Wings.
Team History
Starting Years: 1998–2002
The Detroit Shock joined the WNBA in 1998. They were one of the league's first new teams. Their first coach was Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman. The Shock had a good first season, finishing with 17 wins and 13 losses. They just missed the playoffs.
In 1999, they finished 15–17. They lost a playoff game to the Charlotte Sting. In 2000, they finished 14–18 and missed the playoffs again. Nancy Lieberman was then replaced by Greg Williams.
In 2001, the Shock picked Deanna Nolan in the draft. She later became a star player. The team finished with a 10–22 record that year.
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The 2002 season started very poorly. The Shock lost their first 10 games. Greg Williams was fired, and Bill Laimbeer took over as coach. The team finished 9–23. Laimbeer brought in new players to help the team improve.
From Last Place to Champions: 2003
After many changes, Bill Laimbeer believed the Shock would win the championship in 2003. He was right! The Shock had an amazing season, winning 25 games and losing only 9. They were the top team in the Eastern Conference.
In the playoffs, they beat the Cleveland Rockers and then swept the Connecticut Sun. This sent them to the WNBA Finals. They faced the Los Angeles Sparks, who had won the last two championships. The Shock won a thrilling Game 3 by a score of 83–78. This game had the largest crowd in WNBA history. Ruth Riley was named the Finals MVP. The Shock made history by going from the worst team to champions in just one year.
Ups and Downs: 2004–2005
After their championship, the Shock had two average seasons. In 2004, they finished 17–17. They made the playoffs but lost to the New York Liberty.
In 2005, they finished 16–18. They again made the playoffs but were swept by the Connecticut Sun.
Back to the Top: 2006–2008
The Shock played very well in 2006. They finished with a 23–11 record. In the playoffs, they swept the Indiana Fever. Then they beat the Connecticut Sun in a tough series.
In the WNBA Finals, they played the defending champions, the Sacramento Monarchs. The series went to a deciding Game 5. The Shock won 80–75 to claim their second championship! Deanna Nolan was named the Finals MVP.
In 2007, the Shock aimed to win again. They had the best record in the WNBA at 24–10. They won their first two playoff series against the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever. In the WNBA Finals, they faced the Phoenix Mercury. The series went to Game 5 in Detroit. The Shock lost this game, becoming the first team to lose the WNBA championship at home.
The next season, 2008, the Shock finished 22–12. They were the best team in the East again. They won their playoff series against the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty. In the WNBA Finals, they swept the San Antonio Silver Stars. This gave them their third championship! Katie Smith was named the Finals MVP.
Final Season in Detroit: 2009
Three games into the 2009 season, coach Bill Laimbeer resigned. Rick Mahorn took over as head coach. The team struggled at first but improved later. They finished 18–16 and made the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.
They swept the Atlanta Dream in the first round. Then they faced the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Shock lost this series, missing the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2005.
The End of an Era
On October 19, 2009, it was announced that the Detroit Shock would move. The team relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This marked the end of the Detroit Shock era.
Future of Detroit WNBA
Detroit will soon have a WNBA team again! On June 30, 2025, it was announced that Detroit is one of three cities getting new WNBA teams. The new Detroit team is planned to start playing in 2029. They will play at Little Caesars Arena, which is also home to the Pistons.
Team Look
Logo and Uniforms
From 2002 to 2009, the Shock's home uniforms were white. They had the team name in red on the front. Their away uniforms were blue with "Detroit" in red and white. Before 2002, the team used colors like teal, yellow, and red.
Notable Players and Coaches
Basketball Hall of Fame Members
Several players who played for the Detroit Shock are now in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Swin Cash (played 2002–2007)
- Nancy Lieberman (played briefly in 2008, also coached)
- Katie Smith (played 2006–2009)
- Lynette Woodard (played 1998)
FIBA Hall of Fame Members
One player from the Shock is in the FIBA Hall of Fame:
- Razija Mujanović (played 1999)
Well-Known Players
Many talented players were part of the Detroit Shock, including:
- Jennifer Azzi
- Kara Braxton
- Sandy Brondello
- Swin Cash
- Cheryl Ford
- Alexis Hornbuckle
- Nancy Lieberman
- Deanna Nolan
- Plenette Pierson
- Ruth Riley
- Katie Smith
- Nikki Teasley
Coaches and Managers
- Head Coaches: Nancy Lieberman (1998–2000), Greg Williams (2001–2002), Bill Laimbeer (2002–2009), Rick Mahorn (2009)
- General Managers: Nancy Lieberman (1998–2000), Greg Williams (2001–2002), Bill Laimbeer (2002–2009), Cheryl Reeve (2009)
Team Awards
Individual Awards
- WNBA Finals MVP
- Ruth Riley (2003)
- Deanna Nolan (2006)
- Katie Smith (2008)
- WNBA Rookie of the Year
- Cheryl Ford (2003)
- WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year
- Plenette Pierson (2007)
- WNBA Coach of the Year
- Bill Laimbeer (2003)
All-Star Game Honors
Many Shock players were chosen for the WNBA All-Star Game:
- 1999: Sandy Brondello
- 2000: Wendy Palmer
- 2003: Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
- 2004: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
- 2005: Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Ruth Riley
- 2006: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith
- 2007: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Kara Braxton
- 2009: Katie Smith
The Shock's coach, Bill Laimbeer, was also an All-Star Game head coach in 2004 and 2007. Cheryl Ford was named the WNBA All-Star Game MVP in 2007.
Images for kids
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Detroit Shock coaching staff in 2007
