Career Players of the WNBA Trivia Quiz

Answer: Angel McCoughtry

Angel McCoughtry (born 1986) played her first ten seasons (2009-2018) with the Atlanta Dream. She followed that up with two seasons (2020-2021) with the Las Vegas Aces and then moved to the Minnesota Lynx. While with the Dream, McCoughtry was selected five times for the WNBA All-Star Game. She was also part of two gold medal-winning US Women's basketball teams at the Olympics. McCoughtry was a overall Number One pick in the 2009 WNBA draft.

Mccoughtry's first season with the Atlanta Dream (2009) was only the second playing season for the team. The Dream won its first conference title in 2010.

Answer: Courtney Vandersloot

Courtney Vandersloot (born 1989) began playing with the Chicago Sky in the 2011 season after playing college basketball at Gonzaga University. She was the third overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft. In the 2018 season, Vandersloot set a league single-season record for assists at 258 (8.6 per game). In her first two WNBA seasons she played every regular season game.

The Chicago Sky began play in 2006 and won its first WNBA championship in 2021. This was quite a contrast to the 2006 season, where the team's record was 5-29.

Answer: Nykesha Sales

Nykesha Sales (born 1976) spent her entire WNBA playing career (1999-2007) with the same franchise (known as the Orlando Miracle until 2002 and as the Connecticut Sun beginning in 2003). She was a eight-time WNBA All-Star. She played her college basketball at the University of Connecticut. She would later work as a coach at the University of Central Florida and the University of Georgia. Number 42, worn by Sales, has been retired by the Sun.

Founded in 1999, the Orlando/Connecticut franchise would win is first Conference title in 2004.

Answer: Glory Johnson

Glory Johnson: Tulsa Shock/Dallas Wings (2012-2019) Atlanta Dream (2020)

Glory Johnson (born 1990) began her WNBA career in 2012. Johnson played six seasons (2012-2014, 2016-2018) with the franchise. The break in her playing career in 2015 was for maternity leave. After leaving Dallas, she played the 2020 season with the Atlanta Dream. In several WNBA seasons, Johnson average double doubles in points and rebounds.d

The Dallas Wings franchise has had several different names (Detroit Shock, 1998-2009; Tulsa Shock, 2010-2015; Dallas Wings, beginning 2016). The team won its first WNBA championship in 2003.

Answer: Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings (born 1979) spent her full WNBA career (2002-2016) with the Indiana Fever. She is a 10-time WNBA All Star. Catchings spent her college career at the University of Tennessee. She was part of four different gold medal-winning US Women's Basketball teams in the Olympics. She was the WNBA MVP for the 2011 season. At the time of her retirement, Catchings was second in all-time scoring for the WNBA.

Beginning play in 2000, the Indiana Fever won its first WNBA championship in 2012. Tamika Catchings's number (24) has been retired by the Fever.

Answer: Sophia Young

Sophia Young (born 1983) spent her entire WNBA career (2006-2015) with the team that would become the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. She played at Baylor University for her college career. She was a Number Four pick in the 2006 WNBA draft. Young was a three-time WNBA all-star. In each of her nine seasons, she played in either 33 or 34 regular season games.

The franchise has been known by several names: Utah Starzz (1999-2002), San Antonio Silver Stars (2003-2013), San Antonio Stars (2014-2017), Las Vegas Aces (beginning 2018). The team won its first Conference title in 2008.

Answer: Lisa Leslie

Lisa Leslie (born 1972) played her full WNBA career (1997-2009) with the Los Angeles Sparks. She played her collegiate basketball with the University of Southern California. Leslie was an eight-time WNBA All-Star and a three-time WNBA MVP. In 2002, she was the first player in the WNBA to dunk a basket during a game. At the time of her retirement, Leslie held the NBA career records for points and rebounds.

The Los Angeles Sparks were one of the teams created at the dawn of the WNBA. The team won its first WNBA championship in 2002.

Answer: Seimone Augustus

Seimone Augustus (born 1984) played her collegiate basketball at Louisiana State University. She spent most of her WNBA career with the Minnesota Lynx (2006-2019) with a final season (2020) as part of the Los Angeles Sparks. Augustus was the overall Number One pick in the 2006 WNBA draft. She was named a member of the 20th Anniversary and 25th Anniversary WNBA teams. Augustus was part of three gold medal-winning US Women's basketball teams in the Olympics.

The Minnesota Lynx first played in the WNBA in 1999 and won its first WNBA championship in 2011. The number (33) of Seimone Augustus was retired by the Lynx in 2022.

Answer: Essence Carson

Essence Carson (born 1986) played her collegiate basketball for Rutgers University. She was the seventh overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. During her career, she played for the New York Liberty (2008-2015), tLos Angeles Sparks (2016-2018), Phoenix Mercury (2019), Washington Mystics (2020), and Connecticut Sun (2020). Carson was a WNBA All-Star in 2011.

The New York Liberty began play in the NBA in 1997. The team's first Conference championship was in 1999.

Answer: Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi (born 1982) began playing with the Phoenix Mercury in 2004 after playing collegiate basketball at the University of Connecticut. She was the overall Number One pick in the 2004 WNBA draft. She was a ten-time WNBA All-Star. Taurasi was the WNBA scoring champion from 2008 to 2011. Taurasi was part of five US Women's basketball gold medals in the Olympics. She was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2004.

The Phoenix Mercury began playing in the WNBA in 1997. The team won its first WNBA championship in 2007.

Answer: Sue Bird

Sue Bird (born 1980) began playing with the Seattle Storm of the WNBA in 2002. She has played in twelve WNBA All-Star games. Bird played at the University of Connecticut for her collegiate career. She was the overall Number One pick in the 2002 WNBA draft. She has been part of five gold medal-winning US Women's basketball teams in the Olympics. Birrd was the first player to be part of WNBA championship teams in three different decades.

The Seattle Storm began play in the WNBA in 2000. The team's first WNBA championship was won in 2004.

Answer: Murriel Page

Murriel Page (born 1975) played eight of her eleven seasons with the Washington Mystics (1998-2005). (The other three--2006-2008--were with the Los Angeles Sparks.) This followed a collegiate career at the University of Florida. She was chosen by the Mystics with the third pick of the 1998 WNBA draft. In 1999 and 2000, Page lead the league in field goal shoot percentage.

The Washington Mystics began playing in the WNBA in 1999. The team won its first WNBA championship in 2019.