What to know about the WNBA’s former powerhouse

As women’s basketball booms in popularity, the WNBA expands.

Oakland will join the league this season, which opens Tuesday, to give the league 13 teams with plans to grow to 16 teams by 2028.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a meeting this week with a group of sportswriters from around the country, including the Chronicle, that the league has a short list of cities it is considering, but is not didn’t mention Houston, once home to a founder. member and the first and arguably greatest dynasty of the WNBA.

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said he wants to bring the WNBA back to Houston. He already has the banners.

No city can match Houston’s unforgettable place in WNBA history. But in case a refresher course is needed as the WNBA evaluates expansion options, take a look at the Comets’ brief 12 comet years.

The WNBA is founded by the NBA and joins the American Basketball League as the women’s professional leagues in the United States. (The ABL would close during the 1998-99 season.)

The Comets were one of the original eight teams, along with the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers and New York Liberty in the Eastern Conference, and the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs and Utah Starzz in the Western Conference.

Van Chancellor, the University of Mississippi coach who applied for the coaching job to six WNBA teams, is selected by Rockets and Comets owner Leslie Alexander and Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson, who was also executive vice president of the Comets, to be the first coach. .

Sheryl Swoopes, the Texas Tech star who was one of the stars of the 1996 gold medal-winning Olympic team, is assigned to the Comets by the WNBA and becomes the first player signed.

Tina Thompson, a USC star, is the No. 1 draft pick in WNBA history.

Dawson recruits Cynthia Cooper, one of the key players on USC’s championship teams, who played professionally in Spain for one season and in Italy for 10 seasons, leading those leagues in scoring in nine of the 11 seasons.

The Comets dominate the New York Liberty for the first WNBA championship.

Cooper is named Finals MVP.

Cooper is named WNBA MVP.

Cooper and Thompson named to the All-WNBA first team.

Chancellor named coach of the year.

The WNBA expanded and the Comets were moved to the Western Conference.

The Comets are 27-3, a .900 winning percentage for a league record that still stands.

The Comets dominate the Phoenix Mercury, two games to one, to win the WNBA championship.

Cooper is named Finals MVP.

Cooper is named WNBA MVP.

Chancellor named coach of the year.

Cooper, Swoopes and Thompson named to the All-WNBA first team.

The Comets dominate the New York Liberty, two games to one, to win the WNBA championship.

Chancellor named coach of the year.

“Cooper and Swoopes named to All-WNBA first team”.

Thompson was named to the All-WNBA second team.

Kim Perrot, Comets point guard and inspiring leader, dies of lung cancer.

The Comets dominate the New York Liberty, 2-0, to win the WNBA championship.

Cooper is named Finals MVP.

Thompson is the All-Star Game MVP.

Swoopes named defensive player of the year.

Chancellor named coach of the year.

“Cooper and Swoopes named to All-WNBA first team”.

Thompson was named to the All-WNBA second team.

WNBA names Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award.

Cooper announces his retirement.

Swoopes misses the season with a torn ACL.

The Sparks dominate the Comets, 2-0, in the first round.

Janeth Arcain named Most Improved Player of the Year.

Arcain was named to the All-WNBA first team.

Thompson was named to the All-WNBA second team.

Starzz dominates the Comets, 2-1, in the first round.

Swoopes named defensive player of the year.

Swoopes is named WNBA MVP.

Swoopes was named first team All-WNBA.

Thompson was named to the All-WNBA second team.

Cooper returned but only played four games before retiring as a player,

The Sacramento Monarchs dominate the Comets, 2-1, in the first round.

Swoopes named defensive player of the year.

“Swoopes named second team All-WNBA”.

The Comets fail to reach the playoffs.

Thompson was named to the All-WNBA first team.

“Monarchs top Comets, 2-0, in Western Conference final”.

Swoopes is the MVP of the All-Star game.

Swoopes was named first team All-WNBA.

Swoopes is named WNBA MVP.

“Monarchs top Comets, 2-1, in first round”.

Swoopes was named second team All-WNBA.

Dawn Staley wins the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award.

Leslie Alexander, then owner of the Rockets and sole owner of the Comets, announced that the Comets were for sale.

Hilton Koch buys the Comets.

The chancellor leaves his position as coach.

Karleen Thompson named coach and general manager of the Comets.

The Comets fail to reach the playoffs.

Thompson was named to the All-WNBA second team.

Chancellor inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Comets move to Reliant Arena.

Koch puts the team up for sale.

The WNBA takes over operations of the Comets.

The Comets are playing what would become their final game, edging out the Monarchs at TSU, after being forced to relocate because of Hurricane Ike.

The Comets fail to reach the playoffs.

The WNBA announces that the Comets will disband in 2009.

The WNBA suspends franchise operations.

Comets players are being dealt out as part of a WNBA cash out draft.

Cooper inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Cooper, Swoopes and Thompson named at an All-Star Game ceremony among the 15 greatest players in WNBA history.

Cooper, Swoopes and Thompson named among the 20 best players in WNBA history at the ESPY Awards.

Swoopes inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Thompson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.