The San Antonio Stars history tells the story of a franchise that began as the Utah Starzz before moving to Texas. Known for its loyal fan base and competitive spirit, San Antonio Stars basketball featured talented players who helped shape the team’s identity and left a lasting mark on the WNBA before relocating to Las Vegas.
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
Stars – The San Antonio Stars are a professional Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) basketball team. The team was founded in 2003 and has been playing ever since. But what do you know about the origin of their nickname?
San Antonio Stars Origin
Regarding sports teams, nicknames often have an interesting backstory that can be traced back to a city or region's rich history. That is true for the San Antonio Stars, whose name pays homage to Texas' proud military heritage. The name “Stars” was chosen as a tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our country during times of war and peace—especially those from Texas who fought valiantly during World War II's Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne in Belgium.
In addition, there is another reason why this WNBA franchise chose such an appropriate moniker: its location within San Antonio itself! This vibrant city features five distinct missions—San Jose y Santiago de la Purisima Concepcion de Acuna, Espada Aqueduct Mission Trail Park, Conception del Oro State Historic Site & Preserve Mission Trail Park – all with star-shaped emblems that represent each mission's unique identity within Southwestern culture and tradition. It only made sense then that when it came time for naming rights on this new WNBA franchise based out of San Antonio, they decided upon "Stars" as their official mascot!
So if you're looking for some insight into why your favorite women’s basketball team calls themselves by such an inspiring name - look no further than these two reasons: honoring America's brave men & women who serve our great nation every day; plus recognizing how much importance each mission symbolizes throughout Southwestern culture here in beautiful downtown San Antonio!
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
- 2014
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2017
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Stars Team Creation
In 2014 the Silver Star changed their name by dropping the “Silver” from the nickname. -
San Antonio Stars draft Kayla McBride
In 2014: The San Antonio Stars draft Kayla McBride, a guard from Notre Dame, with the third overall pick in the WNBA Draft. -
The Stars suffer from injuries to key players
In 2015: The Stars suffer from injuries to key players, such as Becky Hammon, Sophia Young-Malcolm and Kayla McBride. They finish with an 8-26 record, the worst in the league. They draft Dearica Hamby, a forward from Wake Forest, with the sixth overall pick in the WNBA Draft -
San Antonio Stars 2016 Season
In 2016: The Stars continue to struggle, finishing with a 7-27 record, tied for the worst in the league. They draft Moriah Jefferson, a guard from Connecticut, with the second overall pick in the WNBA Draft. They also acquire Astou Ndour, a center from Spain, in a trade with Chicago -
Vickie Johnson – coach of San Antonio Stars
The coach of San Antonio Stars in 2017 was Vickie Johnson, a former WNBA player and assistant coach for the Stars. She was hired as the head coach on December 22, 2016, replacing Dan Hughes who retired after the 2016 season 12. Johnson was assisted by Latricia Trammell and Joi Williams, who joined the coaching staff in 2017 -
Move to Las Vegas
This is the second move for the franchise, which came to San Antonio from Utah in 2003. Without specifying the potential Las Vegas buyer, Spurs Sports & Entertainment sent out a message to fans on Twitter, offering its “deepest gratitude” to team employees and fans while saying the organization and the WNBA have been in negotiations with a buyer to ...
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 Stars History
The San Antonio Stars history starts with the franchise’s founding in 1997 as the Utah Starzz, one of the original eight WNBA teams. The Starzz played in Salt Lake City until 2002. In 2003 the team was sold to ownership under the San Antonio Spurs and moved to Texas, rebranding as the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Through the early years in San Antonio, San Antonio Stars basketball struggled in terms of wins, posting losing records from 2003 through 2006 and failing to make the playoffs during those years. In 2007, the Silver Stars acquired key players like Becky Hammon and Ruth Riley and began to rise. That year, they returned to the playoffs for the first time since relocation as a more competitive San Antonio Stars basketball squad.
The peak of the San Antonio Stars history came in 2008, when the Silver Stars finished with the best record in the Western Conference, won the Conference title, and advanced all the way to the WNBA Finals. Though they ultimately lost the Finals to the Detroit Shock, that season remains the best in franchise history. Over the next several years, San Antonio Stars basketball had many playoff appearances, but rarely got past the early rounds. Hammon and Sophia Young became standout stars, joined by other quality players who helped sustain competitiveness.
In 2014, the team officially changed its name from the Silver Stars to simply the Stars, while maintaining its core identity in San Antonio. Over the mid-2010s, San Antonio Stars history also includes difficult seasons: they missed the playoffs several times, posted some of the worst records in the league, and dealt with roster instability. At the end of 2017, the franchise was sold to MGM Resorts International, and the San Antonio Stars were relocated to Las Vegas for the 2018 season, becoming the Las Vegas Aces.
Stars Achievements
The San Antonio Stars history is highlighted by their standout 2008 season, when they captured the Western Conference title and made their only WNBA Finals appearance while in San Antonio. That season showcased the best of San Antonio Stars basketball, with Becky Hammon, Sophia Young, and others helping the team reach new heights.
pionship as the Stars, San Antonio Stars history includes multiple playoff berths—especially during the late 2000s and early 2010s—and memorable players whose performance left a legacy. Stars like Becky Hammon, Danielle Robinson, Sophia Young, and others brought both skill and visibility to the team, helping to grow local fan support and elevate San Antonio Stars basketball beyond wins and losses
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history