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2015 Record:
8-26
Sixth in Western Conference

Key Offseason Moves:
Announced head coach Dan Hughes’ retirement after 2016 season
Named Ruth Riley Hughes’ replacement as GM
Re-signed Sydney Colson

Players Acquired:
R1, P2: Moriah Jefferson, G, UConn
R2, P2 (via trade with Minnesota): Jazmon Gwathmey, G, James Madison
R3, P1: Brittney Martin, G, Oklahoma St

The scope of the Stars’ season changed dramatically with a major announcement less than one month before tip-off: The 2016 season will be Dan Hughes’ last as head coach, and former Star Ruth Riley has taken on Hughes’ role as general manager.

That means Hughes is not just preparing to increase his team’s win total to reverse its 2015 struggles. He’s working to leave the franchise in good hands.

“I want to develop a young core, so the team is prepared to add great pieces,” Hughes told WNBA.com. “I want to be a good teacher. I’m fortunate to be part of building a future for this team.”

Shooting up the standings begins with shooting for the stars. Moriah Jefferson, this year’s No. 2 overall pick, is the Stars’ newest centerpiece, bringing a championship presence to a team anxious to turn the tide.

“She’s very talented, but that’s not her best attribute,” said Hughes. “Her mental approach equals her talent in a fun way. She’s just got a good grasp of the position, using her talents very well for such a young player.”

“You want your points guards to approach the game how she does,” Hughes continued. “She’s a joy to watch, with gifts on and off the court.”

Moriah Jefferson posing with Lisa Borders after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft.

At 22 years old, Jefferson brings gifts that can only help San Antonio’s offense, which ranked last in points per game in 2015. Fortunately, the team’s pace (4th fastest) readily accommodates Jefferson’s style, especially with Kayla McBride’s 39% career three-point shooting waiting on the wing.

Critical to that future is establishing fluid offense. San Antonio finished 2015 shooting 30% from deep, with only McBride (53) making more than 25. With Jefferson learning the ropes in the absence three-time All-Star Danielle Robinson (out after undergoing Achilles surgery), the Stars’ offensive identity could grow: equal parts aggressive and efficient.

“It should be very fun to watch,” Hughes said of the exciting Jefferson-McBride backcourt duo. “It’s played out in my mind as two very young players can lead the team’s future in a unique way, with two of the best players in the league.”

Playing point guard in San Antonio comes with a unique legacy. For eight years, Stars basketball revolved around a floor general now familiar to all basketball fans: Becky Hammon. The franchise has come full circle, with Hughes now grooming Jefferson to become a mainstay in the Alamo City.

“We’re a young basketball team, so I told [Jefferson] to prepare for some ups and downs,” Hughes explained. “She’s going to be in for some lessons, with the attention teams will pay her. She has to stay strong and true to herself.”

When building a young franchise, focusing around a four-time NCAA national champion is a promising step. Surrounding the backcourt with both young running mates and veteran presences only aids the process.

Forward Dearica Hamby, last year’s first-round pick, could emerge as the perfect complement to the two guards, while Samantha Logic and Sydney Colson look like valuable backups. Center Jayne Appel-Marinelli leads the vets, and the team added longtime Mercury forward Monique Currie in a trade just a week before the season opener.

Remember, the Stars were 7-27 in 2005, Hughes’ first season in San Antonio. Three seasons later, they made they made it all the way to the WNBA Finals.

Hughes admits this will be a long-term process. But with a growing roster and Riley — a two-time champion — overseeing personnel, the future appears bright for the Stars.

So as the Stars transition into a new era, how does Hughes look back on his time in San Antonio?

“I’ve been here for 12 seasons,” he reflected. “I’ve had Becky Hammon on my team, Vickie Johnson played for me before becoming an assistant coach. Before coming here, there were two coaches in three years. Playing for a championship afterward, building overall consistent success was great. Our place in the community aided our connection to the fan base. Everything, when packaged together, made for great memories.”