Philadelphia Rage

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.

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 Quest, 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.

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.

Buried Rage

Things were looking up for the Rage in season 3 -- it was a 9-5 team under new coach Anne Donovan -- 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 Rage Players

Dawn Staley (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)