With 10 of 11 players back from last year's Starzz team that posted the franchise's first winning record in its four-year existence, seven newcomers to Utah's 2001 training-camp roster face trying to crack the most stable roster the club's ever had.
Last year, three draftees (Stacy Frese, Naomi Mulitauaopele, Kristen Rasmussen) and two of four free agents (Katryna Gaither, Amy Herrig) made the club for at least part of the season; Frese, Mulitauaopele and Herrig remain.
Now, four 2001 draftees and three free agents are vying for one open roster spot or hoping to unseat veterans. That makes this a competitive camp.
"Some players may get released; some veterans may get released," said coach Fred Williams.
Here's a look at the newbies:
Cara Consuegra, guard, 5-8, Iowa 2001, from Mt. Airy, Md., drafted in fourth round, 56th overall:
Played two years with Herrig at Iowa, played against Frese (Iowa State). As a youngster in neighborhood filled with kids, she followed her older brother around. "He's my biggest role model," she says. Describes her younger self as shy but with a tremendous temper that came from competitive urge, which led to fights between her and her brother. Says she can push the ball, play great defense.
Marie Ferdinand, guard, 5-9, Louisiana State 2001, from Miami, Fla., taken in first round 2001 WNBA draft, No. 8 overall:
Smart, feisty and extra-athletic with explosive jumps, crossover moves and a good mid-distance game. Was ranked No. 1 prospect in pre-draft camp by a columnist from Full Court Press magazine. Started 93 consecutive games at LSU and scored 1,500+ points with more than 500 boards, 300 assists, 200 steals in four years; LSU's all-time leading NCAA tourney scorer. Kodak All-American, AP second-team.
Brandy Jones, guard, 5-7, Texas A&M 2001, from Missouri City, Texas, free agent:
Says she brings leadership, shooting and driving. Grew up with a brother playing on boys' teams. Thought she'd be invited to the pre-draft camp but wasn't after she sprained a medial collateral knee ligament at the end of A&M season, slipping on a wet court. "I was pretty mad," she says. Went to the Portland free-agent camp, where Williams saw her. Has known Starzz assistant Candi Harvey for some time as Harvey was A&M coach.
Tanja Kostic, forward, 6-2, Oregon State 1995, from Stockholm, Sweden, free agent:
Second-team AP All-American, first-team Basketball America. Career totals of 2,349 points, 100,1 rebounds, 176 steals, 159 assists. OSU freshman of the year. Averaged 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds as a senior. Speaks five languages. Four-year member of Swedish National and Junior National team, youngest on the 1992 national team at age 19. Says her hobbies are sports, reading and eating cookies.
Michaela Pavlickova, forward, 6-3, Denver 2001, from Prague, Czech Republic, drafted in second round, 24th overall:
Nicknamed "Misa," which is pronounced "Mee-sha." Moved from Prague to Boulder, Colo., for high-school senior year to learn English. Both parents played ball and enrolled her when their club started a little girls' team. "I liked it from the beginning," she says. Has typical Euro game with outside shot from power forward spot, likes Dennis Rodman for his rebounding. As a kid, had boundless energy and came home from basketball practices to run around the family apartment so much her parents wanted her to do two sports at once.
Shea Ralph, guard, 6-0, Connecticut 2001, from Fayetteville, N.C., drafted in third round, 40th overall:
Kodak and AP first-team All-American, one of the most recognizable names in women's basketball since getting 1995-96 USA Today prep of the year honor. In 2000 was Honda Award winner for basketball, Sports Illustrated female player of the year and Most Outstanding Player in 2000 NCAA Final Four. Suffered third ACL tear, this time in the left knee, in 2001 Big East championship vs. eventual NCAA champ Notre Dame. "It was a big game. Everyone was looking forward to it," she says. Expected to miss this Starzz season. Unsure if she'll rehab here or at UConn. Was happy to be drafted despite the injury. "I had my hopes up. I definitely wanted to be drafted and be part of a team," she said.
Eric Routt, forward, 5-8, Texas 1996, from Sugar Land, Texas, free agent:
Most comfortable at the two but can play point and small forward. Always smiling. "I'm a pretty happy person, the one that keeps everybody upbeat," she says. "I'm the youngest of four (kids), but that's OK because they think I'm spoiled rotten. I'm not." Was the only one her mom, a former track star, could get to run track but found basketball at age 11. Went to ABL combine, but that season came at the wrong time for her to finish school. "My grandmother would have had a heart attack" if she hadn't. After a year off, she went overseas (Israel, Turkey) to become a more complete player, then went to the WNBA free-agent camp a couple of weeks ago, where Williams noticed her.
E-mail: lham@desnews.com