Tulsa World: WNBA's Detroit Shock moving to Tulsa

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WNBA's Detroit Shock moving to Tulsa

In this September file photo, Detroit Shock's Alexis Hornbuckle shouting instructions to her teammates during the second half of their WNBA playoff basketball game against Atlanta Dream. AP File Photo

By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/19/2009 9:51 AM
Last Modified: 10/19/2009 10:52 PM

Sports Editor Mike Strain’s blog: Will you attend WNBA games in Tulsa? That’s our poll question.

Related stories:

Tulsa is closing in on WNBA

Nolan Richardson commits to Tulsa

President of WNBA visits, seeks support

Bill Cameron ended the speculation late Monday, issuing a brief statement in an e-mail to the Tulsa World confirming that the three-time WNBA champion Detroit Shock is moving to Tulsa.

“We’re thrilled to not only have a team, but one of the most successful teams in league history,” Cameron said in the e-mail. “Under Coach Nolan Richardson, we’re eager to build upon this team’s success, and continue its winning tradition here in Tulsa.”

WNBA president Donna Orender will make

the formal announcement at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. at the Mayo Hotel.

Detroit made its debut in the league in 1998, two years after the league was established.

The Shock won titles in 2008, ’06 and ’03 and reached the Eastern Conference finals last month before losing to league runner-up Indiana Fever.

The Shock also hosted the three largest crowds in WNBA finals history (22,076 for Game 3 in 2003, 19,671 for Game 5 in 2006 and 22,076 for Game 5 in 2007).

But most games were sparsely attended, with a curtain covering the upper level of The Palace of Auburn Hills.

According to womensbasketballonline.com, the Shock averaged 8,004 in attendance in 2009 — a decline of about 1,500 from 2008. The franchise was fifth in the 13-team league in attendance in 2009.

David Box and Cameron, the lead investor, chairman and chief executive officer of the investment group, initiated the process to bring a WNBA team to Tulsa.

Nolan Richardson, a former University of Tulsa men’s coach, was hired as coach last month. Richardson also coached at Arkansas and won a national championship with the Razorbacks in 1994. He will be coaching women’s basketball for the first time.

In late July, the group announced plans to secure a team, along with local investors Don and Pat Hardin, Sam and Rita Combs, Pat Chernicky, Stuart and Linda Price and Paula Marshall. In September, Katie and Scott Schofield added their support.

The Shock is a veteran team that has six players with six or more years’ experience in the league, including 10-year veteran Katie Smith. Smith, a three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, averaged 13.7 points per game this past season.

Former Tennessee guard Alexis Hornbuckle is also on the squad. The 6-foot-1 Hornbuckle helped Tennessee win back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2007 and ’08.

Newcomer Shavonte Zellous averaged 15.6 points per game in her rookie season in 2009.

Guard Deanna Nolan, who played college ball at Georgia, led the Shock in scoring in 2009, averaging 21.6 points per game.

The WNBA regular season is played from June to September. Last year, the regular season included 17 home games in a 34-game schedule. By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS

Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Shock headed to Tulsa," which was published on 10/20/2009. So far, 123 comments have been made.

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