| Colorado Xplosion |
| Founded |
1996 |
| Disbanded |
1998 |
| Team History |
Colorado Xplosion
(1996-1998) |
| Arena |
McNichols Sports Arena McNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena, in Denver, Colorado, USA, adjacent to Mile High Stadium. Completed in 1975, at a cost of $10 million, it seated 16,061, for hockey games, 17,171, for basketball games and contained 27 luxury suites, which were installed as part of the 1986 renovation. It...
, Denver ColiseumDenver Coliseum is an indoor arena, owned by the City and County of Denver, operated by its Theatres and Arenas division and is located in Denver, Colorado...
|
| Team Colors |
Navy, Gold |
| Championships |
0 |
| Conference Titles |
1 |
| General Manager |
John Nillen |
| Head Coach |
Linda Hargrove |
| Assistant Coach |
alexa |
The Colorado Xplosion was the first women's professional basketball franchise in Colorado, an American Basketball LeagueThe American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was an independent professional basketball league for women in the United States. At the same time the ABL was being formed, the National Basketball Association was creating the Women's National Basketball Association...
(ABL) team based in Denver. Playing from 1996 through 1998, the team produced many memorable moments for Colorado sports fans and followers of women's professional basketball in general. Team highlights include winning the Western Conference title in 1997, and player highlights include Crystal RobinsonCrystal Robinson , is a former Women's National Basketball Association player who played for the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma.-High school:...
being the inaugural ABL Rookie of the Year, Debbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
being the league's first Defensive Player of the Year, and Sylvia CrawleySylvia Crawley is a former collegiate and professional women's basketball forward, licensed minister and motivational speaker...
winning the 1998 Slam Dunk Contest at the ABL All-Star Game with a blindfolded dunk. Black made pro basketball history on December 8, 1996 when she became the first woman and only the second player ever to record a Quadruple Double, with 10 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists and 10 steals against Atlanta. Players for the Xplosion included Debbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
, Edna CampbellEdna Campbell is a retired women's basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association . The 5' 8" guard was a star player for the Sacramento Monarchs and has also played for three other teams, but is well known for continuing to play despite suffering breast cancer...
, Sylvia CrawleySylvia Crawley is a former collegiate and professional women's basketball forward, licensed minister and motivational speaker...
, Tari PhillipsTari L. Phillips is a professional basketball player. She currently plays with Acer ERG Priolo, an Italian A1 team based in Priolo Gargallo, Sicily...
, Crystal RobinsonCrystal Robinson , is a former Women's National Basketball Association player who played for the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma.-High school:...
, and Vonda WardVonda Ward is an American female boxer who was also a well known NCAA basketball player.-Before boxing:Ward grew up in a sports-oriented family, as her father, Larry Ward, is a famous harness racer....
. After the franchise ceased operations with the abrupt demise of the ABL in the 1998-99 season, Xplosion players went on to continue their careers in the WNBA.
Team Record
| Season |
W |
L |
Win % |
Result |
| 1996-97 |
25 |
15 |
.625 |
Western Conference Champions |
| 1997-98 |
20 |
23 |
.465 |
4th Place, Western Conference |
| 1998 |
5 |
8 |
.385 |
4th Place, Western Conference |
All-Star Players
Debbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
(ABL 2nd Team 1997, ABL All-Star 1997-1998)
Edna CampbellEdna Campbell is a retired women's basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association . The 5' 8" guard was a star player for the Sacramento Monarchs and has also played for three other teams, but is well known for continuing to play despite suffering breast cancer...
(ABL All-Star 1997)
Crystal RobinsonCrystal Robinson , is a former Women's National Basketball Association player who played for the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma.-High school:...
(ABL 2nd Team 1997)
League Honors
Rookie of the Year
Crystal RobinsonCrystal Robinson , is a former Women's National Basketball Association player who played for the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma.-High school:...
(1997)
Defensive Player of the Year
Debbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
(1997)
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