Jackie Stiles was a member of the short-lived Portland Fire when the team was a member of the WNBA more than 20 years ago. Stiles said she’s looking forward to the new franchise amid a sharp rise in popularity of the league this year. “I’m thrilled ...

Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks expressed his excitement on social media on Thursday after learning that Portland will have a WNBA expansion team. Thompson, who grew up primarily in Oregon, showed off his excitement on Instagram by reposting a Portland Thorns FC post.

The return of a WNBA team to Portland has sparked memories of the Fire, which gained a dedicated fan base in its short two-year run. Stiles, whose career was cut short by injuries, became a household name in Portland, and her connection to the city clearly resonated with Thompson, who spent his formative years in the Portland area.