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Tulsa Shock Team History

Tulsa Shock
Shock Primary Logo
Shock Alternate Logo

Established
1998

City
Detroit – Tulsa – Dallas

League History
1998 – Present / Women’s National Basketball Association

Team History
2016 – Present / Dallas Wings
2010 – 2015 / Tulsa Shock
1998 – 2009 / Detroit Shock

Nickname
Shock – Sports fans, if you’ve ever wondered why the Tulsa Shock of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has its name, this blog post is for you! The Tulsa Shock is named after a natural phenomenon in Oklahoma known as “the shock wave.” This powerful wave of energy is created by lightning and thunderstorms that can reach speeds up to 100 miles per hour. It is so strong that it can even knock down trees and buildings!
The team chose this nickname because they wanted something unique yet representative of their home state. They also wanted something with an element of power behind it—perfectly describing the strength and determination these athletes bring to each game they play!

It was vital for them to choose a name with local ties since many people in Oklahoma view basketball as one way they express their pride in being from such an amazing state. Choosing “Shock Wave” reinforces how passionate Oklahomans are about sports, particularly women's basketball here at home or on national stages like those within WNBA leagues around America today.

So next time you hear someone talking about the Tulsa Shock, you know why: when these ladies take the court together – just like during any stormy night - there will always be a powerful force ready for action!

Championship
WNBA Championships 0

Arena
2016 – Present / College Park Center

*Tulsa*
2010 – 2015 / BOK Center

*Detroit*
1998 – 2009 / The Palace of Auburn Hills

Owner
2016 – Present / Bill Cameron, Chris Christian and Mark Yancey
2010 – 2015 / Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC
1998–2009 / William Davidson

  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • Tulsa Shock 2010

    Tulsa Shock Team Creation

    Tulsa had been mentioned as a possible future city for WNBA expansion, but efforts did not come together until the middle of 2009. An organizing committee with Tulsa businesspeople and politicians began the effort to attract an expansion team. The group was originally given a September 1 deadline. WNBA President Donna Orender extended that deadline to sometime in October. The investment group hired former University ...
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  • Sheryl Swoopes tulsa shock

    Tulsa Team acquires Sheryl Swoopes – a four-time WNBA champion and three-time MVP

    In 2011: The team drafts Liz Cambage, the first Australian player in WNBA history, with the second overall pick. The team also acquires Sheryl Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion and three-time MVP. The team improves slightly to a 9-25 record, but still misses the playoffs. Richardson resigns in July and is replaced by Teresa Edwards
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  • Tulsa Shock's 2012 Season

    Tulsa Shock 2012 Season

    In 2012: The team drafts Glory Johnson with the fourth overall pick and Riquna Williams with the 17th pick. The team also signs Temeka Johnson, a former WNBA champion and Rookie of the Year. The team struggles again with a 9-25 record and fails to make the playoffs for the third straight year. Edwards is fired at the end of ...
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  • Tulsa shock Falls Short of the Playoffs 2013

    Tulsa shock Falls Short of the Playoffs

    In 2013: The team drafts Skylar Diggins, a two-time NCAA champion and national player of the year, with the third overall pick. The team also trades for Candice Wiggins, a former WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year. The team shows signs of improvement with an 11-23 record, but still falls short of the playoffs. Kloppenburg is retained as the head ...
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  • Tulsa Shock Fired Gary Kloppenburg

    Tulsa Shock fire Gary Kloppenburg after 20-49 record

    In 2014: The team drafts Odyssey Sims, a two-time NCAA finalist and All-American, with the second overall pick. The team also acquires Courtney Paris, a former NCAA rebounding leader and All-American. The team suffers several injuries to key players, including Cambage, Diggins, and Wiggins, and finishes with a 12-22 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Kloppenburg is ...
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  • Tulsa Shock 2015

    Shock on to Dallas

    The 2015 Shock started off well, with the team starting 10–7, including a 6–1 record at the BOK Center. However, in June, point guard Skylar Diggins suffered a knee injury and missed the rest of the season. On July 20, 2015, majority owner Bill Cameron shocked not just fans in Tulsa, but the WNBA itself as he announced he will ...
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Who is the greatest Tulsa Shock?
  • Add your greatest player

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.

History of the Shock

The Tulsa Shock, previously known as the Detroit Shock, is a professional women's basketball team in the Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in 2010 as an expansion franchise, and they have since become one of the most successful teams in the league. The Shock, formerly known as the Detroit Shock, has won two WNBA championships and made four appearances in playoff games. They are also known for their solid fan base, including some of the most dedicated sports fans.

Since joining the WNBA, Tulsa, previously known as the Detroit Shock, has had several star players who have gone on to make significant contributions to both their careers and to help lead them toward success as a team. Some notable names include Skylar Diggins-Smith, Odyssey Sims, Courtney Paris, and Riquna Williams – all-stars who helped bring home championship titles for Tulsa during their time with them. Additionally, former head coach Fred Williams led his squad through three consecutive postseasons before leaving after the 2014 season due to personal reasons. Current head coach Gary Kloppenburg took over soon after that and guided his new charges back into contention with two more postseason runs under his belt within just five years at the helm!

In recent years, however, it appears that despite having great talent on board - including 2019 All-Star Liz Cambage - this powerhouse franchise may be slowly losing its grip on the top spot within conference standings. Though they still manage a few playoff appearances here and there, they haven't quite reached the same heights achieved a decade or so ago when winning championships and first-place finishes were much more commonplace occurrences.
Nonetheless, it remains a testament to how far the organization has come since its inception only ten short years ago, proving that even small market teams can compete amongst the best in the world if given a chance!

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