History
The San Jose Lasers were a professional women’s basketball team that played in the American Basketball League (ABL). Their home court was the San Jose State Event Center Arena and San Jose Arena, now SAP Center.
The Lasers played three seasons from 1996 to 1999. In their first year Sheri Sam led the Lasers with 561 points and Coach Jan Lowrey led the team to a 18-22 record and a first-round playoff exit.
In their second season Stanford and Team USA alumnae Jennifer Azzi became the Lasers’ featured player and led scoring with 649 points. New coach Angela Beck guided the team to another losing year with a 21-23 record but did advance to a second-round playoff exit.
In the middle of the 98-99 season the ABL folded; the same year the WNBA began play. The two leagues only competed directly with each other during the 1998-99 season. The NBA-funded WNBA survived and is thriving.
The Lasers’ owner Joe Lacob, who also owns the Golden State Warriors, was granted a WNBA expansion team in 2023, now called the Golden State Valkyries and began play in 2025.
Jennifer Azzi went on to compete for several years in the WNBA, along with Sheri Sam and other ABL athletes.
Seasons
| Year | Record | Outcome | Venue | League | Coach |
| 1996-1997 | 18-22 | Semi-finals | SJ Event Center/ SJ Arena | ABL | Jan Lowrey |
| 1997-1998 | 21-23 | Semi-finals | SJ Event Center/ SJ Arena | ABL | Angela Beck |
| 1998-1999 | 9-6 | Short Season | SJ Event Center/ SJ Arena | ABL | Angela Beck |
