(Detrioit Shock 1998-2009)
(Cheryl Ford & Katie Smith pose with President Obama)
Last month many in the basketball community were hit with a collective jolt (no pun intended) with the news of the WNBA's Detroit Shock's relocation to Tulsa Oklahoma, a new expansion city. Several WBNA franchises have grown accustomed to swirling rumors about financial struggles & ownership change. Yet, it is still a surprise when it becomes official that one of the league's most successful franchises is relocating. The Detroit Shock first debuted in 1998 as one of the WNBA's initial expansion teams. Led by familiar Detroit basketball personalities Bill Laimbeer & Rick Mahorn, the Shock would win 3 WNBA titles and become one of the league's most popular and recognizable franchises.
Since this is indeed the end of the Detroit Shock, we would be remiss not to salute one of their best all time players, former Buckeye & future Hall Of Famer Katie Smith.
Katie Smith arrived in Detroit via a trade in 2005 following a great run with the Minnesota Lynx. She joined a franchise that was already used to winning as the Shock captured their first WNBA title two years earlier in 2003. The 2006 season would prove to be another special year as Smith helped Detroit win their 2nd league championship over the Sacramento Monarchs.
In the year 2008, Smith had perhaps her finest year in basketball by winning her 2nd WNBA title with the Detroit Shock, as well as a gold medal in the Olympic Games in China. Smith earned the WNBA Finals MVP award for her efforts in a 3 games to zero sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars.
It is thought that a women's franchise will be able to fare much better in a college type of market such as Tulsa, Oklahoma as opposed to an area like Detroit where you have multiple pro sports teams. The former Shock team will remain intact for now, but the team name & colors will be changed. As of now Katie Smith is still a member of the Tulsa franchise roster. The former Ohio State guard was forced to miss the Shock's last play off series in the 2009 season due to a back injury. There is currently no word on her playing status for next year, but Smith does decide to play..then you already know who will be the first fan favorite in the history of Tulsa WNBA team. -B3-
(Smith speaks to a group of elementary students in October 2009)
Since this is indeed the end of the Detroit Shock, we would be remiss not to salute one of their best all time players, former Buckeye & future Hall Of Famer Katie Smith.
Katie Smith arrived in Detroit via a trade in 2005 following a great run with the Minnesota Lynx. She joined a franchise that was already used to winning as the Shock captured their first WNBA title two years earlier in 2003. The 2006 season would prove to be another special year as Smith helped Detroit win their 2nd league championship over the Sacramento Monarchs.In the year 2008, Smith had perhaps her finest year in basketball by winning her 2nd WNBA title with the Detroit Shock, as well as a gold medal in the Olympic Games in China. Smith earned the WNBA Finals MVP award for her efforts in a 3 games to zero sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars.
It is thought that a women's franchise will be able to fare much better in a college type of market such as Tulsa, Oklahoma as opposed to an area like Detroit where you have multiple pro sports teams. The former Shock team will remain intact for now, but the team name & colors will be changed. As of now Katie Smith is still a member of the Tulsa franchise roster. The former Ohio State guard was forced to miss the Shock's last play off series in the 2009 season due to a back injury. There is currently no word on her playing status for next year, but Smith does decide to play..then you already know who will be the first fan favorite in the history of Tulsa WNBA team. -B3-
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