Charlotte Sting to retire Andrea Stinson's jersey
May 9, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release
The Charlotte Sting will retire Andrea Stinson's number 32 jersey on Saturday, May 20, in conjunction with their 2006 season opener against the Chicago Sky, it was announced today by General Manager Trudi Lacey. Stinson's jersey, the first to be retired in franchise history, will be raised to the rafters during a ceremony at halftime.
In addition, the Sting have also named Stinson as the team's community relations ambassador. In her new role, Stinson will help the Sting develop new off the court relationships, as well as cultivate existing ones, by becoming an integral part of the team's community outreach efforts.
"We are thrilled to announce the retirement of Andrea Stinson's number 32 jersey," Lacey said. "As one of the original members of the Sting organization, Andrea helped build this franchise from the ground up. In her eight seasons with the team she exemplified in every aspect what it means to be a professional basketball player in the WNBA."
"Andrea was one of the best open court players to ever play the game and she impressed fans with her skills and dazzled with her patented spin moves and smooth finishes. Off the court, she spent hours in the community reaching out to touch other's lives," Lacey said. "We are glad Andrea will still be part of the Sting family in another role with which she is familiar. She brings passion, excitement and knowledge of the game and will be a tremendous ambassador for the Sting in our outreach to our fans and the business community in the Charlotte region."
Stinson became one of the first members of the Charlotte franchise when she was allocated to the team on January 22, 1997. Over her eight-year stint with the team, she became synonymous with the Charlotte Sting as she started every game in the first eight years of the team's history. During her career in her hometown, she averaged 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals.
Her name is found throughout the Charlotte Sting record books as she is the franchise's all-time leader with 3,329 points, 1,302 field goals made, 254 games played and started, 2,882 field goals attempted, 520 free throws made, 706 free throws attempted, 1,115 rebounds and 339 steals.
A three-time WNBA All-Star (2000, 2001, 2002), Stinson's performances also rank her among the best in league history. She currently is the sixth all-time leading scorer in league history with 3,351 points and is ranked third all-time with 8,056 minutes, fifth with 1,310 field goals and 810 assists and ninth with 342 steals. She became the third player in WNBA history to score 3,000 career points when she reached that milestone on August 2, 2003, against the Los Angeles Sparks.
During her tenure with the club, the 5-10 guard helped the Sting capture six playoff berths, including the Eastern Conference Championship and a trip to the WNBA Finals in 2001.
The team's scoring leader for six straight seasons, Stinson was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 1997 and 1998. She set the franchise-record for most points in a game with 33 on July 26, 2000, against Washington and averaged a career-best 17.7 points in the 2000 season.
A native of Cornelius, North Carolina, and a graduate of North Mecklenburg High School, Stinson made it a priority to give back to her community as a member of the Sting. During her stay with the team, she made countless charitable appearances and was honored with the WNBA's Community Assist Award for the 2003 offseason and in September 2004. She was also the recipient of the 2003 United Negro College Fund Leadership Award, presented by Maya Angelou and the Bobby Phills Athlete Award.
The Charlotte Sting's 10th anniversary season begins on May 20 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena as they host the Chicago Sky at 6 p.m. Season tickets are available for as low as $99 and are on sale now. Kids Club memberships are also available for $10 and include free admission to every Sting home game for children 14 years and younger.
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), the Charlotte Sting (WNBA), and operates Charlotte Bobcats Arena, which opened in the fall of 2005.
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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 9, 2006
- Charlotte Sting to celebrate 10th anniversary with 10 Days of Caring - Charlotte Sting
- Charlotte Sting to retire Andrea Stinson's jersey - Charlotte Sting
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