Elaine Powell (born August 9, 1975) is an American assistant coach for the
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team won the WNBA title in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.
Founded ...
and former professional basketball player. A
point guard born in
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe (historically french: Poste-du-Ouachita) is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and parish seat of Ouachita Parish. With a 2020 census-tabulated population of 47,702, it is the principal city of the Monroe metropol ...
, she played in the
WNBA from 1999 to 2008.
Elaine Powell
basketball-reference.com
College career
In two years at LSU
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 near ...
, Powell averaged 19.1 points per game (fourth in school history). She finished her career as LSU's 11th all-time leading scorer (1,163 points).
ABL career
Powell was drafted 20th overall in the 1997 ABL draft by the Portland Power. Powell was the starting point guard for the team.
WNBA career
After the ABL folded, Powell was drafted 50th overall in the 1999 WNBA draft
1999 WNBA draft
*On September 15, 1998, two more players were assigned prior to the expansion draft.
*On April 6, 1999, a WNBA expansion draft took place.
*On May 3, 1999, another round of player allocation took place.
*On May 4, 1999, the regul ...
by the Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Orlando, Florida. It began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003, to Uncasville, Connecticut, where the team became the Connecticut ...
. Half way through the 2002 WNBA season
The 2002 WNBA Season was the Women's National Basketball Association's sixth season. The season ended with the Los Angeles Sparks winning their second WNBA championship.
Regular season standings
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Season aw ...
she was traded to the Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006, and 2008 WNBA champions.
Debuting in 1998, the Shock were one of the league's first expansion franchises. T ...
in exchange for Wendy Palmer
Wendy Palmer (born August 12, 1974) is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, and former head coach of the UNCG women's basketball team. Her primary position was forward.
High school
Born in Timberlake, North Carolina, Palmer at ...
. In November 2005, Powell was selected by the Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Sky compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference. The franchise was founded prior to the ...
in the expansion draft. During the 2006 WNBA season
The 2006 WNBA Season was the Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is an American professional basketball league. It is composed of twelve teams, all based in the United States. The leagu ...
, she was waived by the Sky. Four days later, the Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006, and 2008 WNBA champions.
Debuting in 1998, the Shock were one of the league's first expansion franchises. T ...
signed her as a free agent. During the 2008 WNBA season
The 2008 WNBA season was the 12th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It was the first WNBA season with a franchise in Atlanta as the Dream were announced in late 2007.
No WNBA All-Star Game was held due to the 2008 Summer Ol ...
(when not injured), Powell started all 16 of the games she played. She shot 49% from the field (second best in career).
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Elaine
1975 births
Living people
American women's basketball players
Basketball players from Louisiana
Chicago Sky players
Detroit Shock players
Junior college women's basketball players in the United States
LGBT basketball players
LGBT people from Louisiana
Lesbian sportswomen
LSU Tigers women's basketball players
Orlando Miracle players
Point guards
Portland Power players
Sportspeople from Monroe, Louisiana