kids encyclopedia robot

Utah Starzz facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Utah Starzz were a professional basketball team for women. They played in the WNBA. The team was based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They started playing in 1997. The Starzz were one of the first eight teams in the WNBA.

Quick facts for kids
Utah Starzz
Conference Western
Leagues WNBA
Founded 1997
History Utah Starzz
(1997–2002)
San Antonio Silver Stars
(2003–2013)
San Antonio Stars
(2014–2017)
Las Vegas Aces
(2018–present)
Arena Delta Center
Location Salt Lake City, Utah
Team colors Green, Purple, Light Blue, Copper, Black, White
                             
General manager Jay Francis
Head coach Candi Harvey
Ownership Larry H. Miller
Uniforms
Kit body bluesides.png
Home jersey
Kit shorts bluesides.png
Team colours
Home
Kit body bluesides.png
Away jersey
Kit shorts bluesides.png
Team colours
Away

Team History

The Starzz were one of the first eight teams in the WNBA. The team's name was partly inspired by an older basketball team called the ABA. The owners of the NBA team, the Utah Jazz, also owned the Starzz.

However, the Utah Jazz owners did not want to keep the Starzz team. If new owners were not found, the team would have to stop playing. No local owners in Salt Lake City stepped forward. So, in 2002, the Starzz announced they would move from Salt Lake City.

On December 5, 2002, a company called Spurs Sports & Entertainment bought the Utah Starzz. It was announced that the team would move to San Antonio. There, they changed their name to the Silver Stars. The Starzz were like a "sister team" to the NBA's Utah Jazz. In 2003, the team officially became the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Team Uniforms

From 1997 to 2002, the Starzz had specific uniforms. For home games, they wore white uniforms. These had blue on the sides and shoulders. The team's "Starzz" logo was in white text on the chest. For away games, they wore blue uniforms. These had purple on the sides. The white "Starzz" logo text was also on the chest. The Starzz logo was always on the shorts for both uniforms.

Season Performance

The Utah Starzz played for six seasons in the WNBA. They were part of the Western Conference.

  • In their first two seasons (1997 and 1998), they had a tough start.
  • They improved over the years, especially in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
  • In 2001, they made it to the playoffs for the first time. They lost in the Conference Semifinals.
  • In their final season, 2002, they had their best record. They won the Conference Semifinals but then lost in the Conference Finals.

Overall, the Starzz won 87 regular season games and lost 99. In the playoffs, they won 2 games and lost 5. They did not win any WNBA Championships.

Team Players

Final Roster (2002)

Utah Starzz roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Weight From
G 43 Spain Aguilar, Elisa 5' 8" (1.73m) 156 lb (71kg) George Washington
G 8 United States Azzi, Jennifer 5' 8" (1.73m) 144 lb (65kg) Stanford
G 20 United States Caufield, LaNeishea 5' 9" (1.75m) 165 lb (75kg) Oklahoma
F 34 United States Crockrom, Danielle 6' 1" (1.85m) 158 lb (72kg) Baylor
C 12 Poland Dydek, Margo 7' 2" (2.18m) 223 lb (101kg) Poland
G 3 United States Ferdinand, Marie 5' 9" (1.75m) 153 lb (69kg) LSU
F/C 50 United States Gardner, Andrea 6' 3" (1.91m) 190 lb (86kg) Howard*
G 15 United States Goodson, Adrienne 6' 0" (1.83m) 160 lb (73kg) Old Dominion
C 54 United States Herrig, Amy 6' 4" (1.93m) 189 lb (86kg) Iowa
F 23 United States Johnson, LaTonya 6' 1" (1.85m) 149 lb (68kg) Memphis
G 21 United States Randall, Semeka 5' 8" (1.73m) 170 lb (77kg) Tennessee
F 24 United States Williams, Natalie 6' 2" (1.88m) 210 lb (95kg) UCLA
Head coach
United States Candi Harvey (Ouachita Baptist*)
Assistant coaches
United States Tammi Reiss (Eastern Michigan)
United States Bobbi Morse (Virginia)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

  WNBA roster page
East
ATL
CHI
CON
IND
NY
WAS
West
DAL
LV
LA
MIN
PHO
SEA

Notable Players

Some of the well-known players who played for the Utah Starzz include:

FIBA Hall of Fame

One former Utah Starzz player has been honored in the FIBA Hall of Fame. This is a special place for basketball legends.

Utah Starzz Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
12 Margo Dydek C 1998–2002 2019

Team Coaches

Head Coaches

The Utah Starzz had several head coaches during their time in the WNBA:

  • Denise Taylor (1997–1998)
  • Frank Layden (1998–1999)
  • Fred Williams (1999–2001)
  • Candi Harvey (2001–2002)

General Managers

The general manager helps run the team and makes decisions about players.

  • Tim Howells (1997–1999)
kids search engine
Utah Starzz Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.