The San Antonio Silver Stars played a major part in the rise of San Antonio Stars basketball within the WNBA. Originally the Utah Starzz, the team moved to Texas in 2003 and built a passionate fan base. With star players and competitive seasons, the Silver Stars created a lasting legacy before rebranding as the San Antonio Stars.
Established
1997
City
Salt Lake City – San Antonio – Las Vegas
League History
1997 – Present / Women’s National Basketball Association
Team History
2018 – Present / Las Vegas Aces
2014 – 2017 / San Antonio Stars
2002 – 2013 / San Antonio Silver Stars
1997 – 2002 / Utah Starzz
Nickname
Silver Stars – The San Antonio Silver Stars are a professional Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) basketball team. The team has been around since 2003 and is based in San Antonio, Texas. While the name may seem inspired by the city or its stars, there is an interesting story behind its origin.
San Antonio Silver Stars Origin
In 2002, when it was announced that the WNBA would begin expansion into new cities, including San Antonio, fans were invited to submit ideas for potential nicknames for their hometown team. After considering over 1,000 entries from fans across Texas and beyond – with suggestions ranging from “TexStars” to “Desperados” – one submission stood out above all others: "Silver Stars." This suggestion was chosen because of how closely it connected with the history and culture of the Southwestern United States and was unique among other teams' names.
The nickname also pays homage to a traditional symbol found on many Spanish mission churches throughout Texas; these silver stars can still be seen today adorning some of these buildings, which date back centuries during the early colonization period in America's southwest region. Furthermore, this connection ties perfectly into another important aspect of this franchise - their strong commitment to honoring Hispanic heritage within the local community through various initiatives such as bilingual broadcasts of games or special events like Cinco de Mayo celebrations. All-in-all, it is clear why Silver Stars resonated so strongly amongst voters when they chose what should become the official moniker for the particular home squad.
Championship
WNBA Championships 0
Arena
2018 – Present / Mandalay Bay Events Center
*San Antonio*
2003 – 2017 / AT&T Center
*Salt Lake City*
1997 – 2002 / Delta Center
Owner
2018 – Present / MGM Resorts International
2003 – 2017 / Peter Holt
1997 – 2002 / Larry H. Miller
- 2003
- 2005
- 2007
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
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Silver Stars Team Creation
When the NBA divested itself of all of its WNBA franchises at the end of the 2002 season, the Utah Jazz ownership did not wish to retain ownership of the Starzz. The Starzz then looked for local Utah potential buyers, but none were found, leaving the franchise with the choice of either being sold to out-of-town investor(s) or folding. The ... -
Margo Dydek – two-time WNBA All-Star
Margo Dydek: She was a two-time WNBA All-Star and a three-time WNBA blocks leader. She played for the Silver Stars in 2005 and 2006 and averaged 10.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. She was the tallest player in WNBA history at 7 ft. 2 in. and holds the record for most career blocks with 877 -
The Silver Stars made the playoffs for the first time
In 2007: The Silver Stars have a breakthrough season, finishing with a 20-14 record and making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeat the Sacramento Monarchs in the first round, but lose to the Phoenix Mercury in the conference finals. Hammon and Young are both named to the All-WNBA First Team -
Trade for “Big Shot Becky”
On April 4, 2007, during the WNBA Draft, Becky Hammon was traded to the Silver Stars, along with a second-round draft pick in the 2008 draft, for the second overall first-round pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft, center Jessica Davenport. Hammon posted career-high averages of 18.8 ppg (fourth-best) and 5.0 APG (first in WNBA) in 2007. While in San Antonio, ... -
The Silver Stars reached in the WNBA Finals
In 2008: The Silver Stars have their best season ever, finishing with a league-best 24-10 record and winning their first conference title. They sweep the Sacramento Monarchs and the Los Angeles Sparks in the playoffs, but are swept by the Detroit Shock in the WNBA Finals. Hammon, Young and Riley are all named to the All-WNBA teams -
The Silver Stars make the playoffs as the fourth seed
In 2009: The Silver Stars finish with a 15-19 record and make the playoffs as the fourth seed. They lose to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round. Hammon is named to the All-WNBA Second Team
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
San Antonio Silver Stars History
The San Antonio Silver Stars began their journey as the Utah Starzz, one of the original WNBA teams founded in 1997. In 2003 the franchise relocated to Texas, rebranding as the San Antonio Silver Stars under the ownership of the San Antonio Spurs organization. This move marked the start of a new era for San Antonio Stars basketball, giving the city its own professional women’s basketball team.
From 2003 onward, the San Antonio Silver Stars steadily grew their fan base and improved their on-court performance. Led by star players like Becky Hammon, Sophia Young-Malcolm, Ruth Riley, and Danielle Robinson, the team became known for its competitive play and passionate following. These athletes shaped the identity of San Antonio Stars basketball and elevated the franchise’s profile both locally and nationally.
During the mid-2000s, the San Antonio Silver Stars reached their peak. Between 2006 and 2009, they made four straight playoff appearances and advanced to the Western Conference Finals three times. In 2008 they captured the Western Conference championship and reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, showcasing how far San Antonio Stars basketball had come since the relocation. Although they lost to the Detroit Shock in the Finals, it marked their most successful season in San Antonio.
Silver Stars Achievements
The impact of the San Antonio Silver Stars extends beyond wins and losses. They hosted WNBA All-Star events, increased visibility for women’s sports in South Texas, and inspired a new generation of fans. Their marketing campaigns, like “We Are SA,” strengthened community ties and made San Antonio Stars basketball a staple of the city’s sports culture.
Despite not winning a championship as the San Antonio Silver Stars, the franchise left a lasting legacy of resilience and competitive spirit. By the time the team rebranded simply as the San Antonio Stars in 2014 and later relocated to Las Vegas in 2018, becoming the Aces, the groundwork had been laid for future success. The achievements of the San Antonio Silver Stars and the rise of star players underlined their importance in the history of both the WNBA and San Antonio Stars basketball.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
