Detroit’s WNBA expansion team is still three years away from its scheduled return, but the city’s storied WNBA history is still being recognized.
The Detroit Pistons announced on Monday, Feb. 2, that the 2006 WNBA-title winning Detroit Shock will be honored on March 7 at Little Caesars Arena during the Pistons game against the Brooklyn Nets. The celebration will be a part of the team’s Women’s Empowerment Game and will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Shock’s second WNBA title.
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“We are proud to welcome back members of the 2006 Detroit Shock during Women’s History Month and honor a team that captured Detroit’s second WNBA championship,” said Melanie Harris, Pistons president of business operations. “The 2006 title run reinforced a championship standard in Detroit and reflected the resilience, toughness and unity that defines this city. We are excited to celebrate that team’s lasting impact on Detroit sports history.”
CHAMPS: The Shock built a dynasty in the 2000’s: A look at their 3 championships
Led by local basketball legend Deanna Nolan and Basketball Hall-of-Famers Swin Cash and Katie Smith, the 2006 Shock finished the season 23-11 and beat the Sacramento Monarchs in five games in the WNBA Finals to win their second of three championships.
The 2006 Shock are one of the most decorated teams in recent Detroit sports history: The Free Press ranked that team No. 8 on the list of the state of Michigan’s All-21st Century teams.
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The Shock moved to Tulsa ahead of the 2010 season and are currently playing as the Dallas Wings, leaving a long and ongoing gap in Detroit’s women’s professional basketball history. The WNBA is scheduled to return to Detroit in 2029 under the control of Pistons owner Tom Gores and his wife Holly, though it is unclear whether the expansion franchise will retain the “Shock” nickname.
The new franchise is expected to play games at Little Caesars Arena and train at a new practice facility to be constructed on the Detroit riverfront near Belle Isle on the site of the former Uniroyal factory. Construction costs are currently estimated at $50 million, with the Pistons leading an investment group for the 75,000-square-foot complex.
Fans can visit pistons.com/2006shock for special ticket packages that include a private panel discussion and meet-and-greet with members of the 2006 Shock.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Shock 20th anniversary championship celebration at Pistons game
