The Portland Fire, a basketball team that made its mark in the WNBA, is set to return in 2026. As the team prepares for its comeback, it's a great time to revisit the players who made the initial run so special. Here are 10 players who left their mark on the Portland Fire during their first three years in the league (2000-2002):
- Sylvia Crawley (6'5" forward): A standout player, Crawley led the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. Her career-high of 25 points came in 2000, and she later transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant and head coach for various teams.
- Jackie Stiles (5'8" guard): A big highlight for the Fire, Stiles was the team's lone award winner in its three-year lifespan, earning the WNBA All-Star Game selection and Rookie of the Year in 2001. Her 3-point shooting abilities were exceptional, and she later became a coach.
- DeMya Walker (6'3" forward): Walker saw increased playing time in 2002, averaging 10.9 points and 5 rebounds. She was a key player for the Sacramento Monarchs after the Fire folded, winning the WNBA Championship in 2005.
- Alisa Burras (6'3" center): The first player drafted by the Fire, Burras spent three years with the team, mostly coming off the bench. She had a career-high 22 points in a victory against the Cleveland Rockers.
- Sophia Witherspoon (5'10" guard): An immediate game-changer, Witherspoon averaged 16.8 points in 2000, the highest single-season scoring average in the team's history. She was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks and later retired.
- Kristin Folkl (6'2" forward): A two-sport star at Stanford, Folkl started almost every game in her first year with the Fire. Her role shifted to the bench in 2002, and she later played professionally overseas.
- Stacey Thomas (5'10" forward): Thomas was a quality starter, averaging 5.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in her rookie season. She played for multiple teams after the Fire folded, winning a championship with the Detroit Shock.
- Tully Bevilaqua (5'7" guard): Bevilaqua holds the franchise record for career assists and steals in a single season. She played for the Fire for three years and later became an assistant coach and video associate.
- Ukari Figgs (5'9" guard): Figgs was a key player in 2002, starting 31 of 32 games and averaging 8.5 points and 3.4 assists. She retired after the 2003 season, having been drafted by the Houston Comets.
- Vanessa Nygaard (6'1" forward): Nygaard joined the Fire in 2000 and started 28 games that season. Her playing time decreased in 2001, and she later transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant and head coach for various teams.
