When we look back at the history of women's basketball in Portland, the story of the Portland Fire from 2000 to 2002 stands out as both intriguing and cautionary. This team, though short-lived, is a significant chapter in the WNBA's narrative, and its legacy is worth exploring.
The Portland Fire, a franchise that graced the WNBA for just three seasons—2000, 2001, and 2002—holds the dubious distinction of being one of the league's most fleeting franchises. It shares this record with the Miami Sol, making it one of the shortest-lived teams ever, aside from the Golden State Valkyries, who debuted in 2025.
Over their brief existence, the Fire struggled on the court, ending their run with a cumulative record of 37 wins and 59 losses. Despite their best efforts, they never clinched a playoff spot. The closest they came was in 2002, when they finished with an even 16-16 record, placing fifth in the Western Conference, just one game shy of securing a postseason berth against Seattle.
Although the overall performance of the Fire may not have been stellar, they had a surprising strength against the Washington Mystics. The Fire triumphed in four of their five encounters with the Mystics, achieving an impressive 80% win rate. A notable highlight was their commanding 75-58 victory on July 9, 2000, where player Sophia Witherspoon scored 26 points, showcasing the team's potential.
Leading the charge in scoring for the Portland Fire was Sylvia Crawley, who accumulated a remarkable total of 935 points during her time with the team. After the franchise folded, Crawley continued her career for a year with the San Antonio Silver Stars before transitioning into coaching. Notably, she also served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina, while still playing for the Fire from 2000 to 2002.
Throughout its three-year existence, only 20 players suited up for the Portland Fire. Among them, five players made a lasting impact by participating in all three seasons: Alisa Burras, who was the first pick in the 2000 WNBA expansion draft; Crawley, the team's all-time leading scorer; Stacey Thomas, who holds the record for steals; Tully Bevilaqua, the assists leader; and DeMya Walker, who was the top scorer in 2002.
Jackie Stiles emerged as a standout talent during her tenure with the Fire, particularly known for her exceptional shooting ability. Playing in the 2001 and 2002 seasons, she made an impressive 40.6% of her three-point attempts, averaging 11.4 points per game. Stiles still ranks No. 12 on the WNBA’s all-time leaderboard for three-point shooting percentage—an impressive feat considering her career was cut short due to injury.
Among the roster of the Portland Fire, Jenny Mowe holds a unique connection to Oregon. Although originally from Mission Viejo, California, Mowe spent her high school years in Oregon at Powers High School, where she led her team to a state championship. She later played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks before joining the Fire in 2001 and 2002, ultimately spending a season with the Los Angeles Sparks.
The revival of the rivalry between Portland and Seattle promises to be an exciting aspect of the new WNBA landscape. Both cities share a competitive spirit across various sports, including the long-standing NBA rivalry between the Trail Blazers and the former Seattle SuperSonics, as well as the MLS encounters between the Timbers and Sounders. When the WNBA welcomed the Fire and the Storm in 2000, the two teams faced off nine times over three seasons, with the Fire holding a slight edge with a 5-4 series lead.
Interestingly, despite the Fire's challenging season in 2000, which saw them finish with a disappointing 10-22 record, they also achieved their largest margin of victory that year. On July 30, 2000, they defeated the Orlando Miracle with a score of 76-55, a game highlighted by 14 steals and an impressive 27 points scored by Witherspoon.
Among the Fire's 20 players, two continued their professional careers well into the late 2000s. DeMya Walker played until 2012, taking the court with teams like the Sacramento Monarchs and the New York Liberty, while Tully Bevilaqua continued her journey until 2012 as well, playing for the Seattle Storm and other franchises. Remarkably, Sylvia Fowles, who later became an assistant coach for the Portland Fire, faced both Walker and Bevilaqua multiple times throughout her illustrious career.
Reflecting on the legacy of the Portland Fire invites a conversation about the evolution of women's basketball in the region. How do you think the past influences the future of the WNBA in Portland? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
