New Teams, New Turf

Sophia Witherspoon Manny Millan

With the addition of four expansion franchises this season, the 16-team WNBA has doubled in size since its inaugural year of 1997. The new cities, approved by the league last June, each had to secure 5,500 season-ticket pledges by Oct. 15, 1999; all four met that quota handily, led by the Miami Sol's 6,600. That done, the franchises began stocking their talent pool in December's expansion draft. Here's our early line on how the new teams stack up.

Indiana Fever
Coach: Anne Donovan
Having acquired five guards and two centers in the expansion draft, the Indianapolis-based Fever needs help at forward. Indiana's floor leader is Gordana Grubin, who averaged 8.9 points as the L.A. Sparks' starting point guard last year. Ex-Charlotte Sting guard Stephanie McCarty, an Indiana native and a former Purdue star, will help put fans in the seats. Hall of Famer Donovan will coach the Fever for one season until Nell Fortner finishes her stint with the national team.

Miami Sol
Coach: Ron Rothstein
Former NBA coach Rothstein says he's excited to have ex-Utah Starzz guard Debbie Black on his team. "She plays with more energy and enthusiasm than any player I've ever seen," he says. Players whom Rothstein won't be seeing this season -- because they'll likely be staying in their home countries to get ready for the Olympics -- include guard Sandy Brondello of Australia (who led the Detroit Shock in scoring in '98) and 6'5" center Elena Baranova of Russia, who led the Starzz in three-point accuracy last year. But 6'5" German center Marlies Askamp, acquired from the Minnesota Lynx, will suit up for the Sol.

Portland Fire
Coach: Linda Hargrove
Portland landed an excellent scorer and defender in former New York guard Sophia Witherspoon and an explosive low-block player in Tari Phillips from Orlando. Hargrove, former coach of the ABL's Colorado Xplosion, says she's looking forward to coaching 6'6" Michelle VanGorp, also from the Liberty. "She just needs some playing time, and I think she'll get that on our team," Hargrove says.

Seattle Storm
Coach: Lin Dunn
Seattle picked up two starting guards, Houston's Sonja Henning and Phoenix's Edna Campbell, in the expansion draft. "Campbell can score, penetrate, defend -- she's the total package," says Dunn, who formerly coached the ABL's Portland Power. Versatile 6'6" center Nina Bjedov from the Sparks, whom Dunn calls the "best big three-point shooter in the women's pro game," will be a key player.

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