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2002 Results: The Rockers finished the season 10-22 (.313), seventh place in the East). Roster | Stats | 2003 Schedule Purchase Rockers tickets now! WNBA 2003 Season Preview

2003 Probable Starters: C: Ann Wauters PF: Deanna Jackson SF: Penny Taylor SG: Merlakia Jones PG: Helen Darling

2003 Draft Results: Rd. 1: LaToya Thomas Rd. 2: Jennifer Butler Rd. 3: Shaquala Williams D.D.*: Betty Lennox

2002 Leaders: Points Penny Taylor, 13.0 ppg Rebs. Chasity Melvin, 6.1 rpg Assts. Jennifer Rizotti, 3.3 apg Blocks Ann Wauters, .75 bpg Steals Merlakia Jones, 1.38 spg

Head Coach: Dan Hughes heads into his fourth season coaching the Rockers and boasts a 59-57 WNBA career record and a 49-47 record with Cleveland.

They Said It: “The biggest thing that we need to work on is playing as a team through the good times and the bad times and being able to stay competitive and stay together.” --Chasity Melvin

VGM Prospect: Betty Lennox Lennox has been a dynamite scorer for both the Lynx and the Sol, and should continue it with the Rockers. She'll battle for time with Merlakia Jones but should see plenty of the court. Sign-up for WNBA.com Virtual GM

Rockers Headlines: New season, new clothes 20 Questions with Helen Darling

(*-Denotes "Dispersal Draft")

Darling

This is not the same team that went 10-22 last season. It resembles more the squad that won the Eastern Conference with a 22-10 record in 2001.

The Rockers have depth at every position, led by the return of Helen Darling to the starting point guard spot. Darling took last season off to be with her newborn triplets, but is working herself back into game shape.

"When I watch Helen in the half-court, I like a lot of what I see," Rockers coach Dan Hughes told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I think she's still working on her conditioning." Last year's starting point guard Jennifer Rizzotti moves to the bench to back up Darling, but the Rockers may make a move for another backup point guard at some point.

After winning the draft lottery, the Rockers selected LaToya Thomas with the number one overall pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft, and picked up former Lynx and Sol guard Betty Lennox in the dispersal draft. Both players will contribute off the bench and will make for some interesting battles for playing time with the starters.

Darling will team with Merlakia Jones to re-form the backcourt from that 2001 season. 2002 WNBA All-Star Penny Taylor had a breakout season last year and joins Deanna Jackson at the forward spots.

2000 WNBA first overall pick Ann Wauters had her best season in 2002, averaging 11.2 points and 5 rebounds. Her improvement can be key for the Rockers. Veteran Chasity Melvin backs her up at center and provides strong team leadership.

Melvin knows that this season will not be like the last. She recently told the Rockers Website, “Definitely that [2002 record] will be motivation going in to this season if we want to improve as a team. We felt that we were much better and were not sure why our season ended the way that it did. But, that’s how basketball goes. It just gives us a challenge for this season. I feel good about what we can accomplish.”

A big question for the Rockers is how Lennox and Jones will split the minutes at the off-guard. Coach Hughes can try and tinker with a three guard offense, but may not want to give up physical presence inside. Either way, he likes the mix of talent he has.

"I think our depth has improved," Hughes told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I think you'll see us put more defensive pressure in the back than we did a year ago. You'll see us play more off of our defense, with more transition coming off defensive plays. And I think we'll have the capability of shooting the ball better in catch-and-shoot situations."