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Women's Professional Basketball Leagues
Women's Professional Basketball Leagues
Included in this Web Page:
WPBL/WBL (1978-81)
WABA (1984)
WBA (1993-95)
ABL (1996-98)
WNBA (1997- present)
Other Leagues listed below in the Notes-
Note-1- Before the WBL ever began play, a league called the Women's Professional Basketball Association (WPBA) was scheduled to begin play in 1975. These teams were set to be part of the league; Indianapolis Pink Panthers, Arkansas Lassies, Atlanta, Greenville, Nashville and Winston-Salem. The league folded before it ever started.
Note-2 - A new league was formed in 1980 called the Ladies Professional Basketball League (LPBA) was set to compete with the WBL. Molly Bolin left the WBL's Iowa Cornets and signed to play for the Southern California Breeze. These other teams were part of the league also; New Mexico Energee, Oakland Outlaws, Phoenix Flames, San Jose Chips and Tucson Storm. The league folded seven (7) games into the season. Molly Bolin was averaging over 40 points per game at this time.
Note-3 - The National Women's Basketball Association (NWBA) was set to start in 1986 with these teams aboard: California Stars, Georgia Peaches, Pride of Iowa, Louisiana Blues, North Carolina Blaze, Tennessee Tiger-Cats, Texas Twisters and Virginia Express. The league folded right before the season was supposed to start.
Note-4 - The Liberty Basketball Association (LBA) actually played one pre-season game before it folded in 1991. The Detroit Dazzlers defeated the LBA All-Stars in the only game played. The league folded soon after leaving these other teams without even playing a game: Chicago Slammers, Los Angeles Lancers, New York Blasters and Philadelphia Freedoms.
Women's (Professional) Basketball League (1978-81)
Women's (Professional) Basketball League (1978-81)
WPBL/WBL
WPBL/WBL
Championships
Championships
Annual Standings
Annual Standings
Playoff Results
Playoff Results
1978-79
Semi-Final Results
Houston Angels defeated New York Stars (2-0)
Iowa Cornets defeated Chicago Hustle (2-1)
Championship
Houston Angels defeated Iowa Cornets (3-2)
Final Series MVP - No information available or not awarded
(Note: Molly Bolin, Iowa, 19.6 ppg playoff average - 157 points)
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1979-80
First Round Results
San Francisco Pioneers defeated Houston Angels (2-1)
Minnesota Fillies defeated New Orleans Pride (2-1)
Semi-Final Results
Iowa Cornets defeated Minnesota Fillies (2-1)
New York Stars defeated San Francisco Pioneers (2-0)
Championship
New York Stars defeated Iowa Cornets (3-1)
Final Series MVP - No information available or not awarded
(Note: Molly Bolin, Iowa, 33.1 ppg playoff average - 232 points)
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1980-81
Semi-Final Results
Dallas Diamonds defeated New Jersey Gems (2-1) - Coastal Division Championship
Nebraska Wranglers defeated Chicago Hustle (2-0) - Central Division Championship
Championship
Nebraska Wranglers defeated Dallas Diamonds (3-2)
Final Series MVP - Rosie Walker, Nebraska (34.2 ppg in final series - 171 points)
(Note: Nancy Lieberman, Dallas, 35.4 ppg in final series - 177 points)
Awards and Honors
Awards and Honors
Annual All Pro Teams
Annual All Pro Teams
Annual Leaders
Annual Leaders
*Note- A new league was formed in 1980 called the Ladies Professional Basketball League (LPBA). Molly Bolin left the Iowa Cornets and signed to play for the Southern California Breeze. These other teams were part of the league also; New Mexico Energee, Oakland Outlaws, Phoenix Flames, San Jose Chips and Tucson Storm. The league folded seven (7) games into the season. Molly Bolin was averaging over 40 points per game at this time. She then headed back to play in the WBL's third and final season for the San Francisco Pioneers. She joined the team and played 27 of the team's 36 games and still finished fifth in the league in points scored and second in scoring average.
Career Leaders
Career Leaders
(Molly Bolin - 55 points in a game)
Other WBL Links:
Karra Porter's WBL Memories Web Site
Women's American Basketball Association (1984)
Women's American Basketball Association (1984)
WABA
WABA
Championships
Championships
Year
1984
Champion
Dallas Diamonds
Runner-up
Chicago Spirit
Standings
Standings
Awards and Honors
Awards and Honors
MVP - Nancy Lieberman, Dallas, (27.0 ppg)
MVP - Nancy Lieberman, Dallas, (27.0 ppg)
Women's Basketball Association (1993-95)
Women's Basketball Association (1993-95)
WBA
WBA
Championships
Championships
* Note - 1995 was a one game Championship, Chicago defeated St. Louis 107-96
Annual Standings
Annual Standings
NOTE- League disbanded after the 1995 season and made plans to reorganize again in 1997, but the league disbanded once again before ever playing a game in 1997. These teams were scheduled to play in the league - Illinois Twisters, Indiana Bullets, Iowa River Queens, Kansas City Lightening, Michigan Lady Bulls, Minnesota Heat, Nebraska Express, North Dakota Jazz, Ohio Flame, St. Louis Breakers and South Dakota Storms
Playoff Results
Playoff Results
1993
First Round Results
Missouri Mustangs defeated Iowa Unicorns (2-1)
Kansas Crusaders defeated Oklahoma Cougars (2-0)
Nebraska Express defeated Illinois Kinghts (2-0)
Semi-Final Results
Kansas Crusaders defeated Missouri Mustangs (2-0)
Championship
Kansas Crusaders defeated Nebraska Express (3-1)
MVP - Robelyn Garcia, Kansas
1994
First Round Results
Memphis Blues defeated St. Louis River Queens (2-0)
Indiana Stars defeated Oklahoma Flames (2-0)
Semi-Final Results
Memphis Blues defeated Kansas City Mustangs (1-1, aggregate score)
MVP - Sarah Campbell
Nebraska Express defeated Indiana Stars (2-0)
Championship
Nebraska Express defeated Memphis Blues (3-2)
MVP - Maurtice Ivy, Nebraska
1995
Championship (One Game Championship between Division Champs)
Chicago Twisters defeated St. Louis River Queens (107-96)
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Awards and Honors
Awards and Honors
1993 MVP - Evette Ott, Kansas Crusaders
1993 MVP - Evette Ott, Kansas Crusaders
1994 MVP - Sarah Campbell, Kansas City Mustangs
1994 MVP - Sarah Campbell, Kansas City Mustangs
1995 MVP - Petra Jackson/Diana Vines
1995 MVP - Petra Jackson/Diana Vines
Other WBA Links: WBA Book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1533194912
Robert Bradley's Women's Basketball History Web Page
https://www.facebook.com/WomensBasketballAssociation
American Basketball League (1996-98)
American Basketball League (1996-98)
ABL
ABL
Championships
Championships
Annual Standings
Annual Standings
Playoff Results
1996-97
Semi-finals
Richmond defeated Colorado (2-0)
Columbus defeated San Jose (2-0)
Championship
Columbus defeated Richmond (3-2)
MVP - Valerie Still, Columbus (71 points, 14.2 ppg; 12.3 rpg)
1997-98
First Round
San Jose defeated New England (2-0)
Long Beach defeated Colorado (2-1)
Semi-finals
Columbus defeated San Jose (2-0)
Long Beach defeated Portland (2-0)
Championship
Columbus defeated Long Beach (3-2)
MVP - Valerie Still, Columbus (25 points in game-5)
1998-99
League disbanded during the season, no playoffs were ever contested.
Columbus Quest had the best record at the time the league folded.
Awards and Honors
Awards and Honors
Annual All-Pro Teams
Annual All-Pro Teams
Annual Leaders
Annual Leaders
* League Disbanded during the season
(Theresa Edwards - 46 points in a game)
Career Leaders
Career Leaders
Women's National Basketball Association (1997 - present)
Women's National Basketball Association (1997 - present)
WNBA
WNBA
Championships
Championships
* Note - 1997 was a one game Championship, Houston defeated New York 65-51
Playoff Results
Playoff Results
1997
1997
Semifinals
Semifinals
Houston defeated Charlotte 1-0 (70-54)
Houston defeated Charlotte 1-0 (70-54)
New York defeated Phoenix 1-0 (59-44)
New York defeated Phoenix 1-0 (59-44)
Championship
Championship
Houston defeated New York 1-0 (65-51
Houston defeated New York 1-0 (65-51
1998
1998
Semifinals
Semifinals
Houston defeated Charlotte 2-0
Houston defeated Charlotte 2-0
Phoenix defeated Cleveland 2-1
Phoenix defeated Cleveland 2-1
Championship
Championship
Houston defeated Phoenix 2-1
Houston defeated Phoenix 2-1
1999
1999
First Round
First Round
Charlotte defeated Detroit 1-0 (60-54)
Charlotte defeated Detroit 1-0 (60-54)
Los Angeles defeated Sacramento 1-0 (71-58)
Los Angeles defeated Sacramento 1-0 (71-58)
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - New York defeated Charlotte 2-1
East - New York defeated Charlotte 2-1
West - Houston defeated Los Angeles 2-1
West - Houston defeated Los Angeles 2-1
Championship
Championship
Houston defeated New York 2-1
Houston defeated New York 2-1
2000
2000
First Round
First Round
Cleveland defeated Orlando, 2-1
Cleveland defeated Orlando, 2-1
New York defeated Washington 2-0
New York defeated Washington 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Phoenix 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Phoenix 2-0
Houston defeated Sacramento 2-0
Houston defeated Sacramento 2-0
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - New York defeated Cleveland 2-1
East - New York defeated Cleveland 2-1
West - Houston defeated Los Angeles 2-0
West - Houston defeated Los Angeles 2-0
Championship
Championship
Houston defeated New York 2-0
Houston defeated New York 2-0
2001
2001
First Round
First Round
Charlotte defeated Cleveland 2-1
Charlotte defeated Cleveland 2-1
New York defeated Miami 2-1
New York defeated Miami 2-1
Los Angeles defeated Houston 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Houston 2-0
Sacramento defeated Utah 2-0
Sacramento defeated Utah 2-0
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Charlotte defeated New York 2-1
East - Charlotte defeated New York 2-1
West - Los Angeles defeated Sacramento 2-1
West - Los Angeles defeated Sacramento 2-1
Championship
Championship
Los Angeles defeated Charlotte 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Charlotte 2-0
2002
2002
First Round
First Round
New York defeated Indiana 2-1
New York defeated Indiana 2-1
Washington defeated Charlotte 2-0
Washington defeated Charlotte 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Seattle 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Seattle 2-0
Utah defeated Houston 2-1
Utah defeated Houston 2-1
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - New York defeated Washington 2-1
East - New York defeated Washington 2-1
West - Los Angeles defeated Utah 2-0
West - Los Angeles defeated Utah 2-0
Championship
Championship
Los Angeles defeated New York 2-0
Los Angeles defeated New York 2-0
2003
2003
First Round
First Round
Detroit defeated Cleveland 2-1
Detroit defeated Cleveland 2-1
Connecticut defeated Charlotte 2-0
Connecticut defeated Charlotte 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Minnesota 2-1
Los Angeles defeated Minnesota 2-1
Sacramento defeated Houston 2-1
Sacramento defeated Houston 2-1
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Detroit defeated Connecticut 2-0
East - Detroit defeated Connecticut 2-0
West - Los Angeles defeated Sacramento 2-1
West - Los Angeles defeated Sacramento 2-1
Championship
Championship
Detroit defeated Los Angeles 2-1
Detroit defeated Los Angeles 2-1
2004
2004
First Round
First Round
Connecticut defeated Washington 2-1
Connecticut defeated Washington 2-1
New York defeated Detroit 2-1
New York defeated Detroit 2-1
Seattle defeated Minnesota 2-0
Seattle defeated Minnesota 2-0
Sacramento defeated Los Angeles 2-1
Sacramento defeated Los Angeles 2-1
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Connecticut defeated New York 2-0
East - Connecticut defeated New York 2-0
West - Seattle defeated Sacramento 2-1
West - Seattle defeated Sacramento 2-1
Championship
Championship
Seattle defeated Connecticut 2-1
Seattle defeated Connecticut 2-1
2005
2005
First Round
First Round
Connecticut defeated Detroit 2-0
Connecticut defeated Detroit 2-0
Indiana defeated New York 2-0
Indiana defeated New York 2-0
Houston defeated Seattle 2-1
Houston defeated Seattle 2-1
Sacramento defeated Los Angeles 2-0
Sacramento defeated Los Angeles 2-0
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Connecticut defeated Indiana 2-0
East - Connecticut defeated Indiana 2-0
West - Sacramento defeated Houston 2-0
West - Sacramento defeated Houston 2-0
Championship
Championship
Sacramento defeated Connecticut 3-1
Sacramento defeated Connecticut 3-1
2006
2006
First Round
First Round
Detroit defeated Indiana 2-0
Detroit defeated Indiana 2-0
Connecticut defeated Washington 2-0
Connecticut defeated Washington 2-0
Los Angeles defeated Seattle 2-1
Los Angeles defeated Seattle 2-1
Sacramento defeated Houston 2-0
Sacramento defeated Houston 2-0
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Detroit defeated Connecticut 2-1
East - Detroit defeated Connecticut 2-1
West - Sacramento defeated Los Angeles 2-0
West - Sacramento defeated Los Angeles 2-0
Championship
Championship
Detroit defeated Sacramento, 3-2
Detroit defeated Sacramento, 3-2
2007
2007
First Round
First Round
Detroit defeated New York 2-1
Detroit defeated New York 2-1
Indiana defeated Connecticut 2-1
Indiana defeated Connecticut 2-1
Phoenix defeated Seattle 2-0
Phoenix defeated Seattle 2-0
San Antonio defeated Sacramento 2-1
San Antonio defeated Sacramento 2-1
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Detroit defeated Indiana 2-1
East - Detroit defeated Indiana 2-1
West - Phoenix defeated San Antonio 2-0
West - Phoenix defeated San Antonio 2-0
Championship
Championship
Phoenix defeated Detroit 3-2
Phoenix defeated Detroit 3-2
2008
2008
First Round
First Round
Detroit defeated Indiana 2-1
Detroit defeated Indiana 2-1
New York defeated Connecticut 2-1
New York defeated Connecticut 2-1
San Antonio defeated Sacramento 2-1
San Antonio defeated Sacramento 2-1
Los Angeles defeated Seattle 2-1
Los Angeles defeated Seattle 2-1
Conference Finals
Conference Finals
East - Detroit defeated New York 2-1
East - Detroit defeated New York 2-1
West - San Antonio defeated Los Angeles 2-1
West - San Antonio defeated Los Angeles 2-1
Championship
Championship
Detroit defeated San Antonio 3-0
Detroit defeated San Antonio 3-0
Awards, Honors and Annual Leaders
Awards, Honors and Annual Leaders
WNBA All Star Game
WNBA All Star Game
* The US Olympic Team (Consisting of the best players in the WNBA) played an WNBA All Star Team instead of the traditional All-Star format of years past.
All -WNBA Teams
1997
First Team
Eva Nemcova, Forward, Cleveland Rockers
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Cynthia Cooper, Guard, Houston Comets
Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Guard, Sacramento Monarchs
Second Team
Wendy Palmer, Forward, Utah Starzz
Rebecca Lobo, Forward, New York Liberty
Jennifer Gillom, Center, Phoenix Mercury
Teresa Weatherspoon, Guard, New York Liberty
Andrea Stinson, Guard, Charlotte Sting
1998
First Team
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
Jennifer Gillom, Center, Phoenix Mercury
Suzie McConnell Serio, Guard, Cleveland Rockers
Cynthia Cooper, Guard, Houston Comets
Second Team
Eva Nemcova, Forward, Cleveland Rockers
Cindy Brown, Forward, Detroit Shock
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Teresa Weatherspoon, Guard, New York Liberty
Andrea Stinson, Guard, Charlotte Sting
1999
First Team
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
Natalie Williams, Forward, Utah Starzz
Yolanda Griffith, Center, Sacramento Monarchs
Cynthia Cooper, Guard, Houston Comets
Ticha Penicheiro, Guard, Sacramento Monarchs
Second Team
Chamique Holdsclaw, Forward, Washington Mystics
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Teresa Weatherspoon, Guard, New York Liberty
Shannon Johnson, Guard, Orlando Miracle
2000
First Team
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
Natalie Williams, Forward, Utah Starzz
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Cynthia Cooper, Guard, Houston Comets
Ticha Penicheiro, Guard, Sacramento Monarchs
Second Team
Katie Smith, Forward, Minnesota Lynx
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Yolanda Grifith, Center, Sacramento Monarchs
Teresa Weatherspoon, Guard, New York Liberty
Betty Lennox, Minnesota Lynx
Shannon Johnson, Orlando Miracle, Guard
2001
First Team
Katie Smith, Forward, Minnesota Lynx
Natalie Williams, Forward, Utah Starzz
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Janeth Arcain, Guard, Houston Comets
Merlakia Jones, Guard, Cleveland Rockers
Second Team
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Chamique Holdsclaw, Forward, Washington Mystics
Yolanda Grifith, Center, Sacramento Monarchs
Ticha Penicheiro, Guard, Sacramento Monarchs
Tamecka Dixon, Guard, Los Angeles Sparks
2002
First Team
Tamika Catchings, Forward, Indiana Fever
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Sue Bird, Guard, Seattle Storm
Mwadi Mabika, Guard, Los Angeles Sparks
Second Team
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Chamique Holdsclaw, Forward, Washington Mystics
Tari Phillips, Center, New York Liberty
Katie Smith, Guard, Minnesota Lynx
Shannon Johnson, Guard, Orlando Miracle
2003
First Team
Lauren Jackson, Forward, Seattle Storm
Tamika Catchings, Forward, Indiana Fever
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Katie Smith, Guard, Minnesota Lynx
Sue Bird, Guard, Seattle Storm
Second Team
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
Swin Cash, Forward, Detroit Shock
Cheryl Ford, Center, Detroit Shock
Nikki Teasley, Guard, Los Angeles Sparks
Deanna Nolan, Guard, Detroit Shock
2004
First Team
Lauren Jackson, Forward, Seattle Storm
Tina Thompson, Forward, Houston Comets
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Diana Taurasi, Guard, Phoenix Mercury
Sue Bird, Guard, Seattle Storm
Second Team
Tamika Catchings, Forward, Indiana Fever
Swin Cash, Forward, Detroit Shock
Yolanda Griffith, Center, Sacramento Monarchs
Nikki Teasley, Guard, Los Angeles Sparks
Nykesha Sales, Guard, Connecticut Sun
2005
First Team
Lauren Jackson, Forward, Seattle Storm
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
Yolanda Griffith, Center, Sacramento Monarchs
Deanna Nolan, Guard, Detroit Shock
Sue Bird, Guard, Seattle Storm
Second Team
Tamika Catchings, Forward, Indiana Fever
Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Forward, Connecticut Sun
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Becky Hammon, Guard, New York Liberty
Diana Taurasi, Guard, Phoenix Mercury
2006
First Team
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Diana Taurasi, Guard, Phoenix Mercury
Tamika Catchings, Forward, Indiana Fever
Lauren Jackson, Forward, Seattle Storm
Katie Douglas, Guard, Connecticut Sun
Second Team
Cheryl Ford, Center, Detroit Shock
Alana Beard, Guard, Washington Mystics
Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Forward, Connecticut Sun
Seimone Augustus, Guard, Minnesota Lynx
Sheryl Swoopes, Forward, Houston Comets
2007
First Team
Lauren Jackson, Center, Seattle Storm
Becky Hammon, Guard, San Antonio Silver Stars
Diana Taurasi, Forward, Phoenix Mercury
Deanna Nolan, Guard, Detroit Shock
Penny Taylor, Forward, Phoenix Mercury
Second Team
Tamika Catchings, Forward, Indiana Fever
Katie Douglas, Guard, Connecticut Sun
Tina Thompson, Center, Houston Comets
Seimone Augustus, Guard, Minnesota Lynx
Sophia Young, Forward, San Antonio Silver Stars
2008
First Team
Candace Parker, Forward, Los Angeles Sparks
Lisa Leslie, Center, Los Angeles Sparks
Lindsay Whalen, Guard, Connecticut Sun
Diana Taurasi, Guard/Forward, Phoenix Mercury
Sophia Young, Forward, San Antonio Silver Stars
Second Team
Sue Bird, Guard, Seattle Storm
Becky Hammon, Guard, San Antonio Silver Stars
Asjha Jones, Forward, Connecticut Sun
Deanna Nolan, Guard/Forward, Detroit Shock
Lauren Jackson, Center, Seattle Storm
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> WNBA 10th Anniversary All-Decade Team
Sue Bird, Seattle Storm (2002-Current)
Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever (2001-Current)
Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2003)
Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs (1999-Current)
Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm (2001-Current)
Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks (1997-Current)
Katie Smith, Minnesota Lynx (1999-2005), Detroit Shock (2005-Current)
Dawn Staley, Charlotte Sting (1999-2005), Houston Comets (2005-Current)
Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets (1997-Current)
Tina Thompson, Houston Comets (1997-Current)
Honorable Mentions
Ruthie Bolton, Sacramento Monarchs (1997-2004)
Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics (1999-2004), Los Angeles Sparks (2005-Current)
Ticha Penicheiro, Sacramento Monarchs (1998-Current)
Diana Taurasi ,Phoenix Mercury (2004-Current)
Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty (1997-2003), Los Angeles Sparks (2004)
Career Leaders
Career Leaders
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