The Early Years

The original Orlando Miracle team, circa 1999. Backrow (left to right): unknown, unknown, Assistant Coach Rick Stukes, Andrea Congreaves, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Head Coach Carolyn Peck, Tari Phillips, Carla McGhee, Assistant Coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson, unknown. Front row (left to right): Elaine Powell, Adrienne Johnson, Sheri Sam, Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales, Tora Suber, Yolanda Moore.

From its inception in 1999, the Orlando Miracle came into the WNBA with something to prove. With draft picks like Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Sheri Sam and Katie Douglas and players like Nykesha Sales and Shannon Johnson, the Miracle hit the ground running, earning their place as the second overall in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. The team drew in a crowd of 15,422 for it's inaugural game against the defending WNBA Champion, the Houston Comets. In 1999, they averaged 9,801 fans per game, but ultimately folded in 2002 before announcing a sale and relocation to the Mohegan Tribe in Uncasville, Connecticut.