Full Breakdown
Katy Steding Reflects on the Return of Professional Women's Basketball to Portland
2/4/2026, 4:28:59 PM
The Legacy of Katy Steding and the Portland Power
Katy Steding, a prominent figure in women's basketball, is looking forward to the return of the Portland Fire to the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2026. Steding, who grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has a rich history in the sport, having played for the Portland Power from 1996 to 1998. Her journey began when she was a standout player at Lake Oswego High School, where she scored 1,405 points, and continued at Stanford University, where she helped lead the team to an NCAA Championship in 1990. Steding also represented Team USA, winning a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Steding's time with the Portland Power was marked by a strong community connection. Despite a challenging inaugural season in 1996, where the team finished with a 14-26 record, they boasted the second-highest attendance in the American Basketball League (ABL). Steding attributes this success to the passionate support from Portland fans, stating, “We had the best fans in the whole country. Very loyal, super supportive, engaged in the game.” This community involvement extended beyond the court, as Steding and her teammates frequently participated in local events and school visits, fostering a deep bond with the city.
The Impact of the WNBA's Return
As the WNBA prepares to welcome the Portland Fire back, Steding emphasizes the importance of representation in women's sports. She believes that having professional women's basketball in Portland will inspire a new generation of young athletes. “There’s a huge gain for young women that find players to look up to and model themselves after,” she remarked. Steding's current role as an assistant coach at Stanford allows her to mentor young players, including Oregon native Cameron Brink, who has made significant contributions to the sport.
Steding's commitment to women's basketball extends beyond her playing days. After the ABL folded in 1998, she played for the Sacramento Monarchs and the Seattle Storm before transitioning to coaching. Her coaching career has included positions at Warner Pacific, San Francisco, the Atlanta Dream, and Columbia, culminating in her current role at Stanford since 2020.
Community and Future Prospects
Steding's reflections on the Portland Power highlight the city's enthusiasm for women's sports. She noted that the community is “hungry for professional women’s sports,” suggesting that the return of the Fire will not only rekindle local interest but also elevate the sport at the youth level. Steding's dedication to her home state remains strong, as she continues to advocate for women's basketball and its growth in Oregon.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Pro basketball in Portland was really a life dream,” — Katy Steding, Former Player, Portland Power
- “It was very much not a hands-off thing. So it was really wonderful. It was one of the highlights of my life.” — Katy Steding, reflecting on her time with the Portland Power
- “The Portland community is hungry for professional women’s sports.” — Katy Steding, on the return of the Portland Fire
Steding's journey exemplifies the potential impact of professional women's basketball on local communities and the importance of fostering future generations of athletes.
