Philadelphia Rage
Encyclopedia
The Richmond Rage, which after one year relocated to become the Philadelphia Rage, were one of the eight original franchises of the American Basketball League
(ABL), a women's professional basketball league. Although the franchise existed for just two-and-a-half seasons -- 1996-97 in Richmond, 1997-98 and late 1998 in Philly -- the team produced many memorable moments for fans of women's basketball its highest level.
The Rage were led by the 1996 US Olympic team point guard Dawn Staley
, and by the less heralded but equally energetic play of Adrienne Goodson
, who shot like a guard and rebounded like a power forward. With power forward Taj McWilliams, the Rage had three players out of the ten named to the 1997 All-ABL First and Second teams -- the most of any team. The Rage scored a PR coup by signing the great heptathlete and long jumper Jackie Joyner-Kersee
, probably the best-known player on any team, but the unofficial World's Greatest Female Athlete was more effective as a fan draw than she was on the court. One can only wonder how dominant the Rage might have been if their first draft choice, the great center Lisa Leslie
, had opted to sign with them.
, their record was good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference, and that was good enough to put them in the four-team playoffs. Matched in a best-of-three set against the top team in the Western Conference, the Colorado Xplosion
, the Rage won two straight to advance to the finals against Columbus. In the best-of-five finals, the Rage jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, only to lose, heartbreakingly, the last three games.
-- when the league suddenly folded on December 22, 1998. Less than a month later, on January 18, 1999 Rage reserve guard Katrina Price
died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
(All-ABL 1st Team 1996-1997)
Adrienne Goodson
(All-ABL 1st Team 1996-1997)
Taj McWilliams (All-ABL 2nd Team 1996-1997)
Dawn Staley
(All-ABL 2nd Team 1997-1998)
Adrienne Goodson
(All-ABL 2nd Team 1997-1998)
American Basketball League (1996-1998)
The 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), a women's professional basketball league. Although the franchise existed for just two-and-a-half seasons -- 1996-97 in Richmond, 1997-98 and late 1998 in Philly -- the team produced many memorable moments for fans of women's basketball its highest level.
The Rage were led by the 1996 US Olympic team point guard Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley
Dawn Michelle Staley is an American basketball player and coach. Staley is a three-time Olympian and was elected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics. She was named the University of South Carolina women's head basketball coach on May 7, 2008...
, and by the less heralded but equally energetic play of Adrienne Goodson
Adrienne Goodson
Adrienne Goodson also known as “Goodie” or “Goody” is a former basketball player, a 6-foot forward noted for her exceptional rebounding ability, especially on the offensive glass...
, who shot like a guard and rebounded like a power forward. With power forward Taj McWilliams, the Rage had three players out of the ten named to the 1997 All-ABL First and Second teams -- the most of any team. The Rage scored a PR coup by signing the great heptathlete and long jumper Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jacqueline "Jackie" Joyner-Kersee is a retired American athlete, ranked among the all-time greatest athletes in the women's heptathlon as well as in the women's long jump. She won three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals, in those four different events...
, probably the best-known player on any team, but the unofficial World's Greatest Female Athlete was more effective as a fan draw than she was on the court. One can only wonder how dominant the Rage might have been if their first draft choice, the great center Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
, had opted to sign with them.
Richmond Rage Team Record
The Rage did pretty well in their first season anyway. Although their win-loss record was 21-19, only so-so, and they finished a full 10 games behind the 31-9 Columbus QuestColumbus Quest
The Columbus Quest was a professional women's basketball franchise located in Columbus, Ohio in the now-defunct American Basketball League . They were one of the league's original eight teams that started play in 1996...
, their record was good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference, and that was good enough to put them in the four-team playoffs. Matched in a best-of-three set against the top team in the Western Conference, the Colorado Xplosion
Colorado Xplosion
The Colorado Xplosion was the first women's professional basketball franchise in Colorado, an American Basketball League 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...
, the Rage won two straight to advance to the finals against Columbus. In the best-of-five finals, the Rage jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, only to lose, heartbreakingly, the last three games.
| Season | W | L | Win % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 21 | 19 | .525 | 2nd Place, Eastern Conference |
Philadelphia Rage Team Record
Following the move to Philadelphia, the franchise did not do nearly as well in its second season, going just 13-31 and finishing fifth (dead last) in the East. Needless to say, they did not make the postseason.| Season | W | L | Win % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-98 | 13 | 31 | .340 | 5th Place, Eastern Conference |
| 1998 | 9 | 5 | .643 | 2nd Place, Eastern Conference |
Buried Rage
Things were looking up for the Rage in season 3 -- it was a 9-5 team under new coach Anne DonovanAnne Donovan
Anne Donovan is an American retired basketball player and the current head coach of the women's basketball team at Seton Hall University. She was formerly an assistant coach, then interim head coach of the New York Liberty of the WNBA...
-- when the league suddenly folded on December 22, 1998. Less than a month later, on January 18, 1999 Rage reserve guard Katrina Price
Katrina Price
Katrina Price was an American basketball player. A star guard in her college career at Stephen F. Austin State University, Price's professional career was cut short when she died by suicide in her rookie season....
died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
All-ABL Rage Players
Dawn StaleyDawn Staley
Dawn Michelle Staley is an American basketball player and coach. Staley is a three-time Olympian and was elected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics. She was named the University of South Carolina women's head basketball coach on May 7, 2008...
(All-ABL 1st Team 1996-1997)
Adrienne Goodson
Adrienne Goodson
Adrienne Goodson also known as “Goodie” or “Goody” is a former basketball player, a 6-foot forward noted for her exceptional rebounding ability, especially on the offensive glass...
(All-ABL 1st Team 1996-1997)
Taj McWilliams (All-ABL 2nd Team 1996-1997)
Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley
Dawn Michelle Staley is an American basketball player and coach. Staley is a three-time Olympian and was elected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics. She was named the University of South Carolina women's head basketball coach on May 7, 2008...
(All-ABL 2nd Team 1997-1998)
Adrienne Goodson
Adrienne Goodson
Adrienne Goodson also known as “Goodie” or “Goody” is a former basketball player, a 6-foot forward noted for her exceptional rebounding ability, especially on the offensive glass...
(All-ABL 2nd Team 1997-1998)